Core Principles

My commitment to helping you define and pursue your goals is demonstrated through three core principles:

- Client-centered Focus to help you feel confident in knowing where you
are today, and what to do to move forward.

- Tailored Strategies so you feel assured knowing you have an objective
professional acting as your advocate.

- Personalized Service to establish and ensure a long-term relationship
based on trust.

My goal is to be the advisor you turn to for objective advice on critical financial matters related to your family, your business, career, and your well-earned retirement and legacy.
WHY CHOOSE A CFP® PROFESSIONAL
  • Most people think all financial planners are “certified,” but this isn’t true. Just about anyone can use the title “financial planner.” CFP Board benefits you as a client by independently certifying financial planners like Helen Lee, Financial Advisor, CFP®, ChFC®, ChSNC®. Although the CFP Board does not guarantee any advisor’s work, CFP® professionals have met rigorous qualifications for financial planning. Only those who have fulfilled the CFP Board’s rigorous requirements can call themselves a CFP® professional. As part of their certification, Certified Financial Planners™ commit to high ethical standards. What’s more, Certified Financial Planners™ must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional.
Services Include
Securities Agent: HI, WA, TX, OR, NY, NV, IN, ID, AK, AZ, CA, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1288195
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

IN THE NEWS

We pride ourselves in giving our all to keep you informed on all-things finance. Take a look at the links below to see the ways in which we have engaged with our clients and the public about updates in the financial industry.
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    Monthly Investment Perspectives Webcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Click Here to Access Webcast
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    The Global Investment Committee Weekly
    Lisa Shalett's GIC weekly goes into detail regarding the
    markets, asset class performance and fixed income. She
    does an amazing job making sense of the complex
    market.
    Click Here to Read Commentary
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    On the Markets
    Each month, Morgan Stanley goes into detail regarding the market. This can vary depending on different sectors,
    equites, fixed income, and how the world events can
    affect the future of the economy.
    Click Here to Read On the Markets
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    What is a ‘Trusted Contact’ and Why Should You Have One?
    Establishing a trusted contact is a crucial step in safeguarding your accounts from potential fraud, ensuring there is always a reliable point of contact in unexpected situations.
    Read More

WELCOME TO OUR LIFE NAVIGATOR

One of my goals is to help our clients navigate different life events. Here you will find a wide range of content and materials covering a variety of life events and milestones that you might face.
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    Retirement
    Planning for retirement is essential to achieving long-term financial security. By starting early and investing wisely, you can build a nest egg that supports your desired lifestyle. Whether you’re just beginning or nearing retirement, proactive planning ensures peace of mind and financial independence in your later years.
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    Business/Work
    Many of our clients have complex business
    arrangements, from executive-level employment
    situations to various levels of investment in a multitude.
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    Birth
    Welcoming a child into the family is a joyous occasion for
    everyone—for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,
    siblings, cousins and other extended family members. As
    a trusted advisor to our clients, we play a critical role in
    helping you plan and prepare for the financial
    components that a new child introduces into your lives. This includes everything from planning for the costs associated with birth, adoption or surrogacy, anticipating unexpected medical expenses, understanding gifting requirements, preparing for child care and planning for educational expenses.
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    Marriage
    There are few events more exciting than when our clients
    decide to align their life with the person they love. There are some conversations you should have with your
    partner though.
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    Education
    Education is a major investment and expense for most of
    our clients—one that often requires years of careful,
    advanced planning. As educational costs continue to rise
    —from primary education through undergraduate,
    graduate and professional schools—we can help you
    approach the range of educational expenses. This may include tuition, extension programs and advanced professional training, with appropriate funding strategies for your particular situations.
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    First Home
    Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it comes with financial challenges that require careful planning. From saving for a down payment and understanding mortgage options to managing closing costs and ongoing expenses, it’s essential to have a solid financial strategy. With the right preparation, you can turn your dream of owning a home into a reality while maintaining financial stability.
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    Special Needs Planning
    When you have a child or other family member with special needs, you face unique wealth planning challenges that require unique solutions. Probably the single most concerning issue in the minds of parents with a child with a disability is; What will happen to my child after I'm gone? Some other questions that are asked vary from where their child will live, to if finances will be adequate for the care and well-being of their child. As a part of your advisory team, I will work with you to help address the numerous questions regarding your loved one so that they may enjoy a safe and happy life!

Client Service Team

    Carousel Associate Image
    Howard H. Hwa - Registered Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (206) 224-4155(206) 224-4155
    Email:Howard.Hwa@morganstanley.com

Location

601 Union Street
Suite 2900
Seattle, WA 98101
US
Direct:
(206) 346-2833(206) 346-2833
Fax:
(425) 296-3951(425) 296-3951
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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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

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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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

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
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Helen Lee today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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.

1When 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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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3Morgan 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.

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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 and other legal matters.

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5Investing in the market entails the risk of market volatility. The value of all types of investments may increase or decrease over varying time periods. The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of sustainable or impact investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because sustainability and impact 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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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7Morgan 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.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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)