WELCOME!

At the Bay Area Wealth Management Group, we understand that wealth isn't just about money, it's also about living the life you want to lead. For the most part, our clients come to us having already achieved a major life goal –– whether it be a career milestone or a company IPO – and now they need help redefining their mission for the future. Not only for retirement, but for their family and legacy too.

WE ARE A RESOURCE FOR THE FEW
With much wealth comes many needs. That's why we're committed to maintaining a boutique practice. By working with a select number of successful families, we're able to provide a high-level, in-depth service that attends to every facet of your financial future.

WE SEEK TO SOLVE EMOTIONAL DECISIONS WITH MATH
When you're making decisions about your own money, it can be very difficult to maintain an objective perspective. As our client, however, you can always be confident that your financial strategy is fueled by an analytical and data-driven approach.

FOCUSING ON YOUR BEST INTERESTS
While analytics and data are important, we know that the right decision for your future can't always be measured in strict, quantitative terms. Because life isn't just about numbers and spreadsheets. That's why we develop deep relationships with our clients. We want to know exactly how you define success –- so that we can help you and your family continue to achieve it for decades and generations to come.

For a second opinion about your current investments, or to talk about your goals, please call us at (925) 746-2929.

Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Questions We Can Help You Answer

  • How can I secure the next generation, not just with my wealth but also with my financial perspective?
  • Are there areas where I can achieve greater tax-efficiency?
  • What's the best way to handle the sale of my restricted stock and stock options?
  • Is it better for me to buy or lease an aircraft?
  • Which charitable giving strategies fit best with my long-term goals?
  • What liquidity options make the most sense for me and my company?
  • How can I secure a preferred lending rate for my next venture?

Our Elite Qualifications

  • Managing Director, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley
  • Family Wealth Director (held by less than 2% of Morgan Stanley advisors)
  • Certified Investment Management Analyst®
  • Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
  • Executive Financial Services Director
  • Alternative Investments Director
  • Banking Lending Specialist
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Team 2023
  • Forbes Best-in-State Advisors 2021-2023 (Morgan Becker)
  • Five Star Wealth Manager 2012 – 2023 (Morgan Becker)
  • Morgan Becker is one of 18 advisors to serve on Morgan Stanley's national financial advisor council

2021-2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/21-3/31/22
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012-2023) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.

Disclosures

CLIENT RESOURCES

At Morgan Stanley, we provide clients with easily digestible financial analysis from our market research experts. The links below provide further insight on the markets and economic landscape as well as our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life.
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    Private Markets
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to buy and sell securities of private companies.
    Morgan Stanley Private Markets
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    Financial Planning
    Morgan Stanley Financial Planning can show you a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances. We can help you create a wealth plan that’s adaptable to the different stages of your life using our award winning tools- Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView.
    Morgan Stanley Goals-Based Wealth Management
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    Checklist for Clients
    Morgan Stanley's checklist for clients highlights the need for documentation regarding estate planning documents, tax information, family data, and asset details.
    Click to Learn More
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    Tax Management
    The tax decisions you make today can help you save for years to come. Consider these smart tax strategies for your financial plan. Read more from Morgan Stanley's Tax Management site below.
    Click to Access

WORKING WITH NONPROFITS

At the Bay Area Wealth Management Group, our first priority is to help make your organization more successful.
Successful not only in terms of managing your investment portfolio, but by addressing many of the additional areas of focus we know are important to your organization. We find that many of our nonprofit clients have common questions and concerns, including:

  • Are we raising enough money to annually cover the programming we do for the community?
  • Will we be able to annuitize a revenue stream that allows us to focus on programming instead of spending so much time on fundraising?
  • How can we find board members that are a good fit, so we'll have strong leadership?
  • How can we ensure as much money as possible from what we raise goes into our programming?
  • What's the best way to actively manage the contributions from large donors?
  • How should we handle non-traditional donations (such as property)?

The Bay Area Wealth Management Strategy
Our team speaks fluent nonprofit, and has 30 years of peer-sharing experience to support you with a variety of initiatives, such as:

  • Developing and growing a strong investment committee
  • Creating and revising a well-structured IPS
  • Aligning your investments with your unique impact goals and values
  • Engaging with major donors for more meaningful gifting conversations

We'll collaborate with you to help grow your financial and social capital, as well as promote better use of your assets. Through Morgan Stanley, we can also assist with streamlining your investment manager and program costs without compromising your performance potential.
If you wish to align your portfolios more closely with your values using impact investing, we'll build client programs that seek to generate competitive returns while staying true to your mission-related objectives. (1)

Additional Services:

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    Endowment Management

    We can help grow and protect your endowment with a more holistic management approach than traditional investment consulting offers.
    It's an approach that extends beyond investments to help manage your risk. By doing so, we hope to give you more time to focus on what matters most to you. We'll look to create strong risk-adjusted returns while still adhering to your objectives, risk tolerance and social impact parameters.
    Additionally, we'll help you better understand the potential strategic challenges and opportunities your organization faces—and how to better position it for success. Through Morgan Stanley, we have the experience and resources through to implement each element of your strategy to support your ongoing mission. (2)

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    Philanthropy Management

    We believe your philanthropic capital should be managed as thoughtfully as your financial capital.
    Morgan Stanley Philanthropy Management supports nonprofits and foundations by helping ensure the growth and development of their charitable missions. This includes assisting with crafting or redefining your missions and broader strategy; improving governance; aiding with the hiring and training of staff; identifying high-impact board members; engaging volunteers; and fostering connections to like-minded individuals and organizations. By doing so, we can help maximize your effectiveness. (3)

    (1) (2) (3) Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice and are not "fiduciaries" (under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise) with respect to the services or activities described herein except as otherwise provided in writing by Morgan Stanley and/or as described atwww.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol*. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a retirement plan or account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments made under such plan or account.

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
    Learn more
    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
    Learn more
    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
    Learn more
    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

1333 N California Blvd
Suite 133
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
US
Direct:
(925) 746-2929(925) 746-2929

Meet Bay Area Wealth Management

Photo of Morgan Becker

Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor, Family Wealth Director, Certified Investment Management Analyst, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, Portfolio Management Director, Executive Financial Services Director, Workplace Advisor – Equity Compensation, Alternative Investments Director, Investment Management Consultant
Learn more about my specialty in Equity Compensation
Phone:
(925) 746-2929(925) 746-2929
Photo of Ashley DeBenedetti

Ashley DeBenedetti

Wealth Management Analyst
Phone:
(925) 746-2910(925) 746-2910
Photo of Beverly Anderson

Beverly Anderson

Marketing & Communications Director
Phone:
(925) 930-3818(925) 930-3818
Photo of Molly (Wassana) Bright

Molly (Wassana) Bright

Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(925) 930-3886(925) 930-3886
Photo of Luke McKernan

Luke McKernan

Client Service Associate
Phone:
(925) 930-3807(925) 930-3807

About Me

Morgan C. Becker, CIMA®

Morgan Becker is a Family Wealth Director, Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley.  He leads the Bay Area Wealth Management Team, and is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA). 
 
Morgan graduated from Santa Clara University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.  He earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation in 2001 and Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) in 2004.  In 2015, Morgan earned the Family Wealth Director title which is awarded to 2% of Financial Advisors at Morgan Stanley. He has earned the Morgan Stanley Manager’s Leadership award twice, and has earned the prestigious Five Star Wealth Manager award in the San Francisco East Bay in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020


If you have any questions, please contact Morgan directly at Morgan.Becker@morganstanley.com


2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
Securities Agent: AZ, AK, SC, CA, WI, WA, RI, NY, AL, TX, NM, NV, VA, OR, IL, GA, FL, AR, PA, NJ, MD, IN, DE, OH, NC, MI, KY, KS, ID, CT, CO, WY, UT, TN, HI; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1297669
CA Insurance License #: 0D63600

About Me

The focus area of Kevin’s practice since 1994 is strategizing with boards of non-profit organizations, foundations, and endowments in the creation of prudent investment policies, portfolio design and implementation. He is also experienced in a broad range of comprehensive wealth management strategies for affluent families, including development of multigenerational wealth strategies, coordinating effort across clients outside tax and legal advisors, and comprehensive portfolio performance monitoring.

Highly responsive to client needs, Kevin ‘s detailed approach helps cultivate exceptional, long-lasting relationships. He built his practice upon the shared vision of excellence, critical thinking, and discipline.

Kevin earned his M.B.A. in Finance with honors from the University of Oregon’s Lundquist School of Business. He holds a B.S. from the University of Oregon, graduating cum laude with a triple major in Finance, Management and Marketing. He earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designations under the joint auspices of the Wharton School of Business, Chicago Booth School of Business and the Investments and Wealth Institute (IWI).

In My Own Words
In life, it’s crucial to find your passion.

Something meaningful that speaks to you.

Leave a legacy…

For me, that means serving as a trusted advisor to nonprofit organizations and climbing the tallest mountains worldwide. I’ve taken on the challenge of conquering the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent. To date, I’ve climbed five, and my goal is to reach my final summit, Mt. Everest, by 2026.

Both my profession and my mountaineering pursuits share a common thread: setting ambitious goals and meticulously preparing to achieve them. In both realms, I focus on mitigating risks and planning for every possible scenario. This approach is crucial in both investing and mountain climbing, where success depends on addressing potential pitfalls upfront.

For me, this isn’t just a job—it’s my calling. It’s about the deep connections I form with my relationships. I love being the person they trust to help their organizations achieve their philanthropic dreams. There’s immense satisfaction in seeing the positive impact that nonprofits have on their communities. Attending their events and witnessing their passion for making a difference brings me great joy.

Using my experience in investment management to support nonprofits in their mission to enhance their communities is my greatest reward. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work contributes to their success and the betterment of society.

Visit my personal website: https://advisor.morganstanley.com/kevin.sanchez
Securities Agent: IL, WA, NM, KY, WI, OH, DE, ID, AK, NJ, MA, DC, CO, AR, AL, UT, TN, PA, NV, RI, NY, MO, MI, CT, VA, TX, SC, MD, HI, CA, AZ, WY, OR, NC, KS, GA, FL, IN; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2495121

About Austin Ballard

Austin Ballard is a Financial Advisor and Financial Planner with Bay Area Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley. He recently joined the team to focus on developing investment strategies and ensuring quality assurance and optimization of portfolio performance for clients. Essentially this means monitoring funds according to specific planning objectives, and working with the team to determine if they align with high-net worth individual and family goals or require re-strategizing.

After achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Northern Arizona University, and interning with Morgan Stanley on stock and fund analysis, Austin joined the firm as a Wealth Advisor Associate in 2019 and has since become a Financial Advisor. This pathway afforded him valuable experience in co-designing financial plans with clients—‘I love being involved in learning about their lives,’ he says, ‘which informs every part of a wealth management strategy.’

From managing life’s risks (e.g. health, aging, disability) to balancing income and spending, along with debt and tax reduction, increasing savings—and fun things like buying a larger home, investing in a business, retiring and leaving a legacy—Austin thinks custom financial planning is the ‘spoke in the wheel’ necessary to really drive and evaluate performance. Fortunately the intellectual capital and infrastructural capabilities at Morgan Stanley support this mission with aims to build on it further.

Outside the office, Austin lives in the Bay Area with his wife and young daughter. He enjoys playing ice hockey and going on long walks through Heather Farm Park with his family.

NMLS#: 2266297
Securities Agent: OR, FL, WI, NC, KY, WA, MD, CT, AL, VA, UT, PA, NY, ID, AR, AK, IN, RI, NV, MN, NM, MI, CO, AZ, TX, SC, NJ, HI, GA, DE, TN, KS, IL, CA, WY, OH; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2266297

About Diva Helmy

Diva is the newest member of the Bay Area Wealth Management group. She began her career at Morgan Stanley in 2019 as a Wealth Advisor Associate leveraging the firm’s financial planning tools to create comprehensive financial plans for clients. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, specializing in the areas of retirement income planning, employee benefits and compensation, investment management as well as tax and estate planning.

Diva grew up in the Bay Area and moved abroad to pursue her Bachelors degree in art and technology from Parsons Paris in France. She graduated on the Dean’s list and her love of world culture inspired her to then move to Scandinavia to earn her Masters of Art at the University of Bergen in Norway. Outside of the office her interests include surfing in Marin county and learning to sail in the East Bay.
Securities Agent: OR, IL, AL, WA, SC, PA, NY, MI, AZ, DE, CT, UT, TN, CO, RI, OK, OH, NM, KY, WI, NC, MD, KS, IN, GA, FL, WY, VA, TX, HI, CA, AR, AK, NV, ID, NJ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2365387

About Nina Chung

With over 18 years in the Financial Services sector, Nina graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Economics and is currently the Wealth Management Associate for the Bay Area Wealth Management team here in Walnut Creek.

Nina frequents wine country with her husband, and lives locally here in the Bay Area.

If you have any questions or immediate concerns please do not hesitate to contact Nina directly at Nina.Chung@morganstanley.com

About Ashley DeBenedetti

With over 14 years in the Financial Services industry, Ashley graduated from CSU Chico with a B.A. in Marketing. She is currently the WM Analyst for the Bay Area Wealth Management team here in Walnut Creek.

Ashley is a Bay Area native and frequents Lake Tahoe with her husband and 2 daughters. Most of her weekends are spent watching her daughters play sports.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact Ashley directly at ashley.debenedetti@morganstanley.com

About Beverly Anderson

Beverly is the Marketing and Communications Director with Bay Area Wealth Management. With over 30 years of experience in marketing communications for both profit and nonprofit entities, Beverly plays a vital role in enhancing all aspects of our clients' experience, as well as supporting the team’s growth and overall business development goals

She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2023. She earned an M.S. degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism. Beverly also earned a B.S. degree in Management and Marketing from the University of Oregon’s Lindquist School of Business.

Beverly currently resides in Walnut Creek, CA, and enjoys photography, spending time with her adorable kitty children, Sophia and Audrey, and giving back to the community. In addition, she derives immense joy from supporting children in Kenya through Compassion International. Beverly has been helping children and families living in poverty through Compassion’s holistic childcare program for over 18 years.

In her own words
What I love about my job is creating avenues to help nonprofits and individuals form deep connections with our team. It’s important to me that they see our team as people they can trust and who want to help them achieve their dreams.

I’ve worked with many nonprofits over the years and love seeing the difference they make in the communities they serve. Using my experience in communications, marketing and photography has enabled me to help organizations such as the Bay Area Red Cross, Stanford Hospital, Diablo Regional Arts Association and various organizations that help women.

My work with the Red Cross took me on my most memorable journey – to Kenya. I was blessed with the opportunity to document the Red Cross' humanitarian mission to Kenya where we visited families living with HIV/AIDS in their homes and in orphanages. It was here that I learned that money does not buy happiness. Even though these people had little, they were happy because they had love and they had community.

Working with nonprofits fills me with hope and joy and I have found the same to be true for everyone on our team. That’s what brings us to work each day. It’s not about the money. It’s about the connections we feel with our clients, and about sharing in their passion and the positive impact they have on their communities.

About Molly (Wassana) Bright

Molly is a Registered Client Service Associate. She joined Morgan Stanley in early 2023 after working in the financial services industry as a private client banker for over five years. She has extensive experience managing high-net-worth client relationships and is the first point of contact to onboard new clients, resolve client inquiries, and manage daily operations. Molly takes great pride in delivering first-class service, and the most rewarding aspect of her role is building meaningful, trustworthy relationships with clients.

Molly graduated from the prestigious Thammasat University in Thailand where she was actively involved in student council and the cheerleading team, earning a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism. She moved to San Francisco in 1995 to pursue her Master’s in Economics at the University of San Francisco. Molly holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses.

A strong believer in giving back, Molly grew up in Thailand, where she was deeply influenced by her family to support local children’s foundations. Recently, she volunteered with The Natural World Heritage of Thailand organization, helping to raise awareness about conservation efforts and to advocate for the protection and registration of Thailand's wildlife and plant species at ASEAN and international levels, including UNESCO.

Outside of work, Molly enjoys traveling with her husband and twin sons. She loves Pilates, yoga, watching movies, and baking pastries—a passion she honed while attending culinary school in San Francisco.

About Luke McKernan

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Luke brings a strong foundation in financial management and a deep client service commitment to Morgan Stanley’s Bay Area Wealth Management team. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he also played rugby for four years.

As a Client Service Associate, Luke resolves client inquiries, manages daily operations, and takes great pride in delivering a seamless and personalized experience for clients. The most rewarding aspect of his role is building meaningful, trustworthy, relationships with clients, helping them feel confident and supported in their financial journey. He is dedicated to expanding his breadth of industry knowledge to better serve clients.

Outside of work, Luke enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. A lifelong Bay Area sports fan, he proudly roots for his hometown teams.

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships
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Michelle Walsh

Private Banker
Photo of Cindy W. Lee

Cindy W. Lee

Private Banker
Photo of Sydney Milewski

Sydney Milewski

Planning Associate

About Michelle Walsh

Michelle Walsh is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Michelle began her career in financial services in 1983 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Structured Credit Executive at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America where she also served as a Wealth Management Banker. She previously served as a Regional Consumer Market Manager with BB&T Bank.

Michelle is a graduate of Shepherd University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She lives in Danville, CA with her family. Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys traveling with family and friends and volunteering for local food banks.
NMLS#: 637456

About Cindy W. Lee

Cindy Lee is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in the East Bay, California Market.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Cindy began her career in financial services in 1996 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Custom Residential Real Estate Specialist at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch where she also served as a Wealth Management Banker and Financial Advisor.

Cindy is a graduate of San Francisco State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She resides in the Bay Area with her family. Outside of the office, Cindy dedicates time to volunteering, enjoys traveling, reading, watching sports and spending time with family and friends.
NMLS#: 637460

About Sydney Milewski

Sydney is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Financial Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, she collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, she will evaluate various options and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Sydney provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Sydney is originally from Los Angeles, CA and currently resides in New York, NY.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
Learn More about Retirement
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
Learn More about Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Learn More about Family
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Learn More about Business Planning
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Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Learn More about Philanthropy
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
Learn More about Financial Wellness
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Bay Area Wealth Management today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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4Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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5Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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6Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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7Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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8The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

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The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)