
Cornerstone Group Silicon Valley

Our Mission Statement
Welcome
We see the American dream in action every day. Based in Menlo Park, ground zero of the new economy, we serve an impressive group of hard-working, high-achieving people. All of our clients are creating great opportunities for themselves and their families, and some have achieved considerable financial success. They have reached a point where they need help making informed decisions about the complex financial issues in their lives, and putting those decisions into action.
That’s where we come in. Combining our experience with the global capabilities of Morgan Stanley, we supply the insight, information and resources needed to help you and your family address your challenges and work toward your goals. We listen closely, put your interests first and work hard to provide you with thoughtful advice and an outstanding service experience. We will always be respectful of the fact that it’s your money and your future. We are here to provide the help and guidance needed to live the life you want to lead.
Who We Work With:
• Public Company Executives
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Partners
• Founders and Early Employees
• Entrepreneurs
Working With You:
• Simplify your financial affairs and reduce the stress of investing
• Access the intellectual capital of one of the largest investment firms in the globe
• Create a holistic wealth management plan that achieves your financial objectives
• Focus on tax efficient investments strategies
What We Do:
• Investment Management
• Comprehensive Wealth Planning
• Risk Management
• Cash Management & Lending
• Pre-Liquidity Planning
• 10b5-(1) Programs
• Tax, Trust & Estate Advisory
• Philanthropy Management
About PWM
- 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
- Approximately 300 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $775 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 25% of the Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list for 2023
- 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
Equity Compensation
Awards and Recognitions
We are proud to say that our team has made some incredible accomplishments while servicing our clients. As a result, four members of our team, Matthew Sheehan, Daniel Gieseke, Alex Oberle, and Seth Novosel, have been nominated for various awards and recognitions for their hard work and exceptional service.
- 2023-2025 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (#1 in Northern California)
- 2022-2024 Forbes' America's Top Wealth Management High Net Worth (2024: #15 overall; #1 in California)
- 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Team
- 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Private Wealth
- 2022-2024 Barron's Top Advisor Rankings
- 2019 Barron's Member of America's Best Private Wealth Teams
- 2015-2025 Chairman's Club Member
- 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: High Net Worth
- 2017-2023 Forbes' Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
- 2023-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: High Net Worth
- 2022-2024 Forbes' Best-In-State Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
- 2025 Pacesetters Club Member
2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2022-2024 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State
Source: Barron's.com (Awarded 2022-2024) Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2019 Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Advisory Teams
Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Apr 2019) Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Dec 2017 - Dec 2018.
2022-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2017-2024 Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams Source: barrons.com (Awarded May 2024) Data compiled by Barron's for the period Jan 2023-Dec 2023.
Location
Meet Cornerstone Group Silicon Valley
About Matthew Sheehan
Matt was recognized in Forbes Magazine (April 2023) as one of California’s Top Financial Advisors. The Cornerstone Group, the group which Matt helped form in 2020, was also named the #4 best Private Wealth team in Northern California by Forbes Magazine (January 2024). Matt joined Morgan Stanley in 1999 and holds an Economics degree from Loyola Marymount University. Matt lives in Redwood City with his wife, Paula, and his kids, Natalie and Lucas.
2023-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2022-2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
NMLS#: 1290550
CA Insurance License #: 0D04590
About Daniel J Gieseke
2017-2023 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (2017-2023. Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
NMLS#: 1261796
CA Insurance License #: 0H06601
About Alex Oberle
After completing my MBA in 2012, I joined Morgan Stanley's Menlo Park office. I've spent my entire career focused on helping successful Silicon Valley executives and entrepreneurs with their wealth management needs. Most of the wealth in the valley is generated from equity compensation, and my focus is helping these clients understand how to incorporate their equity into their financial plan. My goal is to develop long-lasting, personal relationships with a select group of families, and help them implement effective investment strategies to navigate the capital markets, focus on tax-efficient investing, and create customized solutions to accomplish my client’s financial objectives. What differentiates myself and our team is our knowledge around equity compensation for public and private employees and our laser focus on providing an excellent client experience.
Our team, Cornerstone Group Silicon Valley at Morgan Stanley uses a collaborative approach that allows us to best serve our client's needs. We have four financial advisors and five administrative associates.
NMLS#: 1393565
CA Insurance License #: 0I22661
About Seth Novosel
About Paulina Wong
About Dana Kern
About Kate Kircher
About Karina Diaz-Swanson
focuses on all aspects of client service needs for our clients. Karina lives in Newark with her husband and two daughters. Together, they enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family.
About Nate Van Dell

Contact Matthew Sheehan

Contact Daniel J Gieseke

Contact Alex Oberle
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Insights and Outcomes
Managing Significant Wealth
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Cash Management & Lending
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
- Business Services
Private Wealth Management Podcast
- Intergenerational Planning
- Philanthropic Giving
- Non-Traditional Assets
- Managing Family Wealth
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.
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Awards Disclosures