Catherine A. Eklund Mares
Vice President,
Financial Advisor,
Senior Portfolio Manager
Direct:
(760) 776-6282(760) 776-6282
Direct:
(760) 984-4704(760) 984-4704
My Mission Statement
Helping clients to achieve their dreams, prepare for the "what ifs" and consider the legacy they want to leave behind
Catherine A. Eklund Mares
As a Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley, my mission is to enrich the lives of others. I draw on my 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to care for my clients in all the phases of their lives. I help clients to achieve their dreams as well as prepare them for the potential “what ifs” and consider the legacy they want to leave behind.
As a Portfolio Manager, I custom tailor portfolios to fit my clients’ needs. This Morgan Stanley designation is bestowed upon a select group of financial advisors who can offer portfolio management services directly to their clients.
I began my career as a teller in the banking industry in Virginia, where I quickly rose to the position of Regional Manager. I oversaw the operations of seventeen banking centers while studying economics and finance at the University of Virginia. I moved to Palm Springs in the 1980s, counseling clients as a registered financial advisor at Banc of America Investments before joining Morgan Stanley in 2009.
As a Portfolio Manager, I custom tailor portfolios to fit my clients’ needs. This Morgan Stanley designation is bestowed upon a select group of financial advisors who can offer portfolio management services directly to their clients.
I began my career as a teller in the banking industry in Virginia, where I quickly rose to the position of Regional Manager. I oversaw the operations of seventeen banking centers while studying economics and finance at the University of Virginia. I moved to Palm Springs in the 1980s, counseling clients as a registered financial advisor at Banc of America Investments before joining Morgan Stanley in 2009.
Securities Agent: MI, AL, WI, AZ, NY, NJ, MD, ID, CO, CA, NC, TX, OR, KS, WA, IL, FL, SC, NV, NM, MT, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1339295
CA Insurance License #: #0A22468
NMLS#: 1339295
CA Insurance License #: #0A22468
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Clients
While other financial advisors say they work with their clients’ wealth, I focus on my clients’ wellbeing.
The word wealth is derived from the Old English words weal (well-being) and th (condition), which taken together means the condition of well-being. That’s why my work with you centers on creating the freedom, joy and abundance necessary for the wellbeing of you and those you love. I pride myself on knowing you, your dreams and goals, as well as your financial concerns and the issues that keep you up at night. For me, the most important questions are: What do you need your money to do for you? What has meaning for you and how can I help you enrich your life?
The answers take time, thought and care, but uncovering them is the very best way to design a financial plan that sustains your whole life. I take pride in being your trusted advisor, providing clear thinking and perspective -- and looking after your entire wellbeing.
Outside Advisors
I also pride myself on working seamlessly with your accountants, attorneys and other advisors to provide perspective and solve problems that may seem unusual or unique. Some of the areas where I collaborate with outside advisors include minimizing tax obligations, ensuring portfolio alignment with estate plans, and providing key investment advice during times of transition.
The word wealth is derived from the Old English words weal (well-being) and th (condition), which taken together means the condition of well-being. That’s why my work with you centers on creating the freedom, joy and abundance necessary for the wellbeing of you and those you love. I pride myself on knowing you, your dreams and goals, as well as your financial concerns and the issues that keep you up at night. For me, the most important questions are: What do you need your money to do for you? What has meaning for you and how can I help you enrich your life?
The answers take time, thought and care, but uncovering them is the very best way to design a financial plan that sustains your whole life. I take pride in being your trusted advisor, providing clear thinking and perspective -- and looking after your entire wellbeing.
Outside Advisors
I also pride myself on working seamlessly with your accountants, attorneys and other advisors to provide perspective and solve problems that may seem unusual or unique. Some of the areas where I collaborate with outside advisors include minimizing tax obligations, ensuring portfolio alignment with estate plans, and providing key investment advice during times of transition.
Education
Community Involvement
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~ Mother Teresa
Helping others is extremely important to me. Growing up in the foster care system, I understand what it means to live as a family in need. Today, I give motivational speeches and actively support causes in the United States and abroad that enhance children and families’ abilities to cope with health, mental health and abuse problems.
Closer to home, some of the poorest people in the United States live on the edges of the beautiful desert community where I live. Children and families sleep in fields, alongside irrigation ditches or on swatches of cardboard in the dirt. As a member of the community where they live, I feel a profound responsibility to do what I can to help alleviate the squalid conditions of their lives.
I am also a strong supporter of the arts. I believe the arts promote true prosperity, strengthen the economy, spark creativity and innovation and have social impact. Communities that invest in the arts reap the additional benefits of jobs, economic growth, and a quality of life that positions those communities to compete in our 21st century creative economy.
Here is a partial list of organizations with which I am involved:
Academic Angel for the College of the Desert
Director of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding
Co-Chair of The Women's Executive Committee for Northwood University
National Advisory Cabinet for Guideposts
~ Mother Teresa
Helping others is extremely important to me. Growing up in the foster care system, I understand what it means to live as a family in need. Today, I give motivational speeches and actively support causes in the United States and abroad that enhance children and families’ abilities to cope with health, mental health and abuse problems.
Closer to home, some of the poorest people in the United States live on the edges of the beautiful desert community where I live. Children and families sleep in fields, alongside irrigation ditches or on swatches of cardboard in the dirt. As a member of the community where they live, I feel a profound responsibility to do what I can to help alleviate the squalid conditions of their lives.
I am also a strong supporter of the arts. I believe the arts promote true prosperity, strengthen the economy, spark creativity and innovation and have social impact. Communities that invest in the arts reap the additional benefits of jobs, economic growth, and a quality of life that positions those communities to compete in our 21st century creative economy.
Here is a partial list of organizations with which I am involved:
Academic Angel for the College of the Desert
Director of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding
Co-Chair of The Women's Executive Committee for Northwood University
National Advisory Cabinet for Guideposts
Location
74199 El Paseo
Suite 201
Palm Desert, CA 92260
US
Direct:
(760) 776-6282(760) 776-6282
Fax:
(760) 776-6250(760) 776-6250
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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Business Planning
Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Catherine A. Eklund Mares today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
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.
4Morgan 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.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
7Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
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.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
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.
4Morgan 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.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
7Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
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.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
