

Bay Area Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
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.
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.
Location
Meet Bay Area Wealth Management
About Me
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.
NMLS#: 1297669
CA Insurance License #: 0D63600
About Me
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
NMLS#: 2495121
About Austin Ballard
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
NMLS#: 2266297
About Diva Helmy
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.
NMLS#: 2365387
About Nina Chung
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
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
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 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
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.

Contact Morgan Becker

Contact Kevin Sanchez

Contact Austin Ballard

Contact Diva Helmy
The Power of Partnerships
About Michelle Walsh
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.
About Cindy W. Lee
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.
About Sydney Milewski
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.
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
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.
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.
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.
5Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
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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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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