Don Caron
Managing Director, Wealth Management, Private Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Management Director
Phone:
(202) 292-5490(202) 292-5490
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Caron Group
Direct:
(202) 292-5494(202) 292-5494
Our Mission Statement
Delivering the experience, resources and personalized service needed to help affluent families address their most complex wealth management issues.
Welcome
Capabilities
- Comprehensive Wealth Planning
- Pre-Liquidity Planning
- Investment Management
- Proprietary Investment Opportunities
- Risk Management
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
About PWM
Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
- Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
- Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
- Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
- Approximately 350 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $980 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 23% of the Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams for 2024
- Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, December, 2024
Source: Barron's.com (May 2024) 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams awarded in 2024. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron's and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.
Approach
Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.
Location
1747 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Ste 700
Washington, DC 20006
US
Direct:
(202) 292-5494(202) 292-5494
Meet Caron Group
Eleanor Peters
Wealth Management Associate
Phone:
(202) 292-5494(202) 292-5494
Celine Hon
Portfolio Associate, Financial Planning Specialist
Phone:
(202) 292-5496(202) 292-5496
Bridgett Hyde
Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(202) 292-5365(202) 292-5365
About Don Caron
Don Caron is a proud member of Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management Group (“PWM”) and Team lead of the Caron Group, a practice committed exclusively to serving Ultra High Net Worth Families and Family Offices. Don shares this distinction with ~500 or so of the firms most experienced advisors.
The Caron Group prides itself on being a solutions based practice, with broad areas of focus built on deep personal relationships cultivated over many years and generations. This has led us to work closely with owners of privately held businesses and their companies, diverse global non-profits, and senior
partners of the nation’s leading law firms, for example.
Don began his career in 1988 with Kidder, Peabody & Co. before joining Smith Barney in 1994. In 2007, Don was asked to join Citi Family Office, a division of Smith Barney, then PWM upon Smith Barney’s merger with Morgan Stanley. Don has been recognized by Barron’s as one of the "Top 1200 Advisors in
America” (2014, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024) the Financial Times 400 "FT 400“ (2014) and Forbes Best-In-State (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024). The Caron-Townshend group has been named one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (2024, 2025).
Don received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Pennsylvania State University, his CIMA designation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a native of Saratoga Springs, New York. Currently, Don resides with his family and four daughters, Emily, Kristen, Grace and
Lucy in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State) Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2014,2016,2017, 2023, 2024). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com Data compiled by the Financial Times based the following time periods:
Awarded 2014; data 9/30/12- 9/30/13
Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) 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 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/22-3/31/23.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025) ). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
The Caron Group prides itself on being a solutions based practice, with broad areas of focus built on deep personal relationships cultivated over many years and generations. This has led us to work closely with owners of privately held businesses and their companies, diverse global non-profits, and senior
partners of the nation’s leading law firms, for example.
Don began his career in 1988 with Kidder, Peabody & Co. before joining Smith Barney in 1994. In 2007, Don was asked to join Citi Family Office, a division of Smith Barney, then PWM upon Smith Barney’s merger with Morgan Stanley. Don has been recognized by Barron’s as one of the "Top 1200 Advisors in
America” (2014, 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024) the Financial Times 400 "FT 400“ (2014) and Forbes Best-In-State (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024). The Caron-Townshend group has been named one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (2024, 2025).
Don received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Pennsylvania State University, his CIMA designation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a native of Saratoga Springs, New York. Currently, Don resides with his family and four daughters, Emily, Kristen, Grace and
Lucy in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State) Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2014,2016,2017, 2023, 2024). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com Data compiled by the Financial Times based the following time periods:
Awarded 2014; data 9/30/12- 9/30/13
Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) 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 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/22-3/31/23.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025) ). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: AZ, UT, CA, AR, VA, NV, ME, CT, CO, NE, MD, LA, WI, VT, PA, NY, NH, WV, WA, NC, OH, MN, NJ, MA, FL, SC, NM, IN, KS, IL, TX, TN, GA, DE, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1282883
CA Insurance License #: 4381165
NMLS#: 1282883
CA Insurance License #: 4381165
About Eleanor Peters
Eleanor Peters is joining The Caron Group as a PWM Wealth Management Associate, transitioning from her role as Associate Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Maryland.
Eleanor started her career in financial services in 2014 as a Client Relationship Manager at FNC Title Services, LLC. Prior to moving overseas, she was a Registered Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley from 2017-2019, then spent some time as a Work Life Wellness Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She rejoined Morgan Stanley as an Associate Private Banker in 2021.
Eleanor received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Management and Finance at University of Durham Business School, UK. She currently resides with her spouse in Washington, D.C. Outside of the office, she enjoys playing recreational tennis and notably was a Professional Tennis Player with the Women’s Tennis Association.
Eleanor started her career in financial services in 2014 as a Client Relationship Manager at FNC Title Services, LLC. Prior to moving overseas, she was a Registered Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley from 2017-2019, then spent some time as a Work Life Wellness Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She rejoined Morgan Stanley as an Associate Private Banker in 2021.
Eleanor received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Management and Finance at University of Durham Business School, UK. She currently resides with her spouse in Washington, D.C. Outside of the office, she enjoys playing recreational tennis and notably was a Professional Tennis Player with the Women’s Tennis Association.
About Celine Hon
Celine joined Caron-Townshend Group in 2019 and manages the team's day-to-day operations. She joined Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in 2010.
About Bridgett Hyde
As a 2023 graduate of Williams College,
Bridgett recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in
Economics and Psychology. During her time at
Williams, Bridgett played varsity Field Hockey and
was a member of the Women in Business club.
As a NOVA native, Bridgett enjoys hiking along the
Potomac and partaking in various outdoor activities
Bridgett recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in
Economics and Psychology. During her time at
Williams, Bridgett played varsity Field Hockey and
was a member of the Women in Business club.
As a NOVA native, Bridgett enjoys hiking along the
Potomac and partaking in various outdoor activities
Contact Don Caron
Private Wealth Management
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Private Wealth Management Podcast
Bringing you engaging stories and key insights surrounding the complexities associated with significant wealth, including:
- Intergenerational Planning
- Philanthropic Giving
- Non-Traditional Assets
- Managing Family Wealth
LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art
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Managing Significant Wealth
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Cash Management & Lending
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
- Business Services
Funding Climate Action: Pathways for Philanthropy
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Insights and Outcomes
Thought Leadership for our ultra high net worth clients, which contains thought-provoking articles, authored by leading experts from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources.
We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Awards Disclosures
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Awards Disclosures
CRC 4237142 (02/2025)
