

Chris Nawa, CFP®, QPFC

My Mission Statement
About Me
Recognized by Forbes as Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025 (Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes.com Awarded January 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/23-3/31/24.
Disclosure: https://mgstn.ly/3J3ywqw
Chris Nawa is a Certified Financial Planner™, Qualified Plan Financial Consultant, and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining the firm, he earned his MBA in Finance from The University of Toledo where he was a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Chris also earned his degree in Business Administration & Finance from Ohio Northern University. From an early age, he would watch the stock market channel with his father when he got home from work, fascinated by the idea of owning a small piece of a company. When he was a teenager, he was able to shadow a Financial Advisor where he got his first look at professional portfolio management and the trust that was held between a client and their advisor. He knew, after this first glimpse into advising, that this was the career for him.
Chris has a client-centric approach to advising. His favorite part about being a Financial Advisor is learning about his clients' personal interests, accomplishments, family, and what drives their business or career path. By obtaining a deep understanding of his clients, he is able to develop a financial plan and investment strategy that is truly tailored to their unique needs and takes the time to educate his clients on their investment options. Leveraging Morgan Stanley's state-of-the-art technology, he can provide clarity in the decision-making process and avoid common investment pitfalls.
Chris is a resident of Chicago's South Loop. He enjoys being outdoors: camping, hiking, fishing, and golfing. His hobbies include woodworking, working on cars, and visiting craft breweries. During the pandemic he earned the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. He volunteers as a youth ice hockey coach and previously served as a board member for Ohio Northern University's Chicago Alumni from 2016 to 2019.
- Retirement PlanningFootnote1
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Financial PlanningFootnote2
- Asset Management
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote3
- Business PlanningFootnote4
- Corporate Retirement PlansFootnote5
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote6
- Trust AccountsFootnote7
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote8
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote9
- Life InsuranceFootnote10
- Long Term Care InsuranceFootnote11
- AnnuitiesFootnote12
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote13
NMLS#: 2051490
Why Advice Matters
Location
Meet My Team
About Gus Stathopoulos
The Power of Partnerships
About Mamta Shah
Before joining Trust Services in 2010, she was the Wealth Analyst with the Chicago based Wealth Planning Center at Morgan Stanley. Mamta was responsible for providing information and education on a full range of income and estate tax topics and concerns.
Prior to joining the Planning Center team in 2006, Mamta was Vice President of an Independent Investment Advisory Firm. She worked closely with the clients of the firm on a variety of financial planning and investment advisory services.
Mamta obtained her bachelor’s degree from Babson College with a major in Finance/Entrepreneurship. Mamta is a licensed CPA and holds a CFP® designation, She has been in the financial services industry since 1999. She is Series 7, 63, 65 and life/health insurance licensed. She is a member of the AICPA and the Illinois CPA Society. She lives in Chicago with her family.
About Mehul Dhadankar
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.
Mehul began his career in financial services in 1998 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Business Development Manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Merrill Lynch Edge product team. Mehul also served as a Resident Manager, Senior Banker, and Premier Client Manager at Bank of America.
Mehul is a graduate of the DePaul University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Chicago, Illinois with his family. Outside of the office, Mehul enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time family and friends.
About Mike Manson
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.
Mike began his career in financial services in 2010, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Senior Wealth Strategist and Banking Consultant at UBS. He also was a Bank Manager at BMO Harris Bank.
Mike is a graduate of Roosevelt University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He also received a Post- Baccalaureate Certificate in Finance from Northwestern University. Mike and his family resides in Glenview, IL. Outside of the office, Mike enjoys early morning workouts, golf, and playing 16 inch softball.
About Andrew Starkey
Andrew began his career in financial services in 2017 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Wealth Management Associate at Morgan Stanley and a paraplanner in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Andrew graduated from the University of St. Thomas and holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Andrew moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2021 from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was born and raised. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys exploring Chicago with his wife and dog, traveling back to Minnesota and Colombia to visit with family, and playing basketball with his friends on the weekend.
About Lynn King
Lynn joined Morgan Stanley in September of 2020. As the Family Office Resource Generalist, Lynn provides advice and strategies to UHNW families. To that end, she assists families with the creation of family mission statements. She also educates adults and children on how to be good stewards of generational wealth. She engages with resources in philanthropy, wealth and estate planning and trust management to ensure the UHNW clients of the Firm are able to accomplish their goals.
Lynn received her undergraduate degree in Finance and Political Science from the University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign. She attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois where she obtained her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and is licensed to practice law in Illinois. She also holds her Series 7 and 66.
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You Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder
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
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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
5When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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.
6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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.
8When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
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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.
10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
12Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
13Morgan 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.
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