Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Leon Henderson Jr.
Managing Director, Private Wealth Management,
Private Wealth Advisor
Direct:
(212) 603-6230(212) 603-6230
My Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and exceptional service to help meet your goals across generations.
About Leon
Leon’s primary role is advising ultra high net worth individuals and institutions on the creation and execution of long-term investment strategies. As a Managing Director, he is able to provide clients with access to the Firm’s most sought-after resources, many of which are normally reserved for Morgan Stanley’s most valued institutional clients. Throughout his 28 years of experience, Leon has built long-standing client relationships on the foundation of his guiding principles: earning trust through a commitment to delivering exceptional service and investment performance.
As a Senior Portfolio Management Director, Leon manages a large cap core equity strategy. His investment philosophy is elegantly simple: growing investment returns while protecting principal. His philosophy is anchored in prudence and discipline. Leon takes the same approach to helping clients reach their goals and always puts their interests first.
His investment approach involves efficiently managing portfolios around each client’s unique circumstances and risk tolerance. He believes clients should know what they own. Further, he believes in serving as a guide to the complex world of global capital markets, which his clients find especially helpful during periods of market volatility. Clients rely on Leon’s ability to translate industry jargon, and value his ability to quickly digest and synthesize voluminous amounts of data.
As a Global Sports and Entertainment Director (GSE), Leon recognizes that every sports and entertainment profession is unique, with its own characteristics, earnings profile, and career span. His experience in this area allows him to understand the total financial picture of his GSE clients, and to formulate investment strategies that account for the uncommon hurdles and dynamics they may face throughout their careers. As public figures, these clients hold in high esteem his discretion and confidentiality; and connect with him on a personal level. Leon and his associates in New York and Los Angeles work with U.S. and international clients.
Leon’s career began as a Private Wealth Advisor in the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he helped ultra high net worth families, foundations and endowments. After 16 years at Goldman Sachs, he joined Morgan Stanley in recognition of the Firm’s breadth and depth of client services, such as expansive portfolio management capabilities, and one of the largest and most robust investment platforms globally.
Leon started at Goldman Sachs after graduating from Harvard Business School. He received his undergraduate degree in Architecture at Howard University. He found that architecture’s technical design process is similar to the investment management process. And like architecture, investment management entails innovative solutions informed by a variety of socio-economic, environmental and political factors. A planning framework is required for solving those interdependent challenges, e.g., thorough analysis, a well-thought-out strategy with contingencies, precise execution, and vigilant monitoring.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Leon is the son of teachers. He learned at a young age that to excel in academics and athletics requires discipline. When he gained admission into Howard University’s rigorous 5-year Architecture program, it was discipline that enabled him to succeed as a student-athlete and later as an architectural engineer at Eastman Kodak and Private Wealth Advisor.
His civic engagements have included board directorships at Howard University School of Architecture and Design Advisory Council, and Aaron Davis Hall, Inc./Harlem Stage. He participates in associations such as the Howard University Alumni Association, Harvard Club of New York, and Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association. He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
When not working with clients, Leon is a patron of the arts and architecture. He loves competitive sports, and is a fan of the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Clippers (who were once the Buffalo Braves).
As a Senior Portfolio Management Director, Leon manages a large cap core equity strategy. His investment philosophy is elegantly simple: growing investment returns while protecting principal. His philosophy is anchored in prudence and discipline. Leon takes the same approach to helping clients reach their goals and always puts their interests first.
His investment approach involves efficiently managing portfolios around each client’s unique circumstances and risk tolerance. He believes clients should know what they own. Further, he believes in serving as a guide to the complex world of global capital markets, which his clients find especially helpful during periods of market volatility. Clients rely on Leon’s ability to translate industry jargon, and value his ability to quickly digest and synthesize voluminous amounts of data.
As a Global Sports and Entertainment Director (GSE), Leon recognizes that every sports and entertainment profession is unique, with its own characteristics, earnings profile, and career span. His experience in this area allows him to understand the total financial picture of his GSE clients, and to formulate investment strategies that account for the uncommon hurdles and dynamics they may face throughout their careers. As public figures, these clients hold in high esteem his discretion and confidentiality; and connect with him on a personal level. Leon and his associates in New York and Los Angeles work with U.S. and international clients.
Leon’s career began as a Private Wealth Advisor in the Investment Management Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he helped ultra high net worth families, foundations and endowments. After 16 years at Goldman Sachs, he joined Morgan Stanley in recognition of the Firm’s breadth and depth of client services, such as expansive portfolio management capabilities, and one of the largest and most robust investment platforms globally.
Leon started at Goldman Sachs after graduating from Harvard Business School. He received his undergraduate degree in Architecture at Howard University. He found that architecture’s technical design process is similar to the investment management process. And like architecture, investment management entails innovative solutions informed by a variety of socio-economic, environmental and political factors. A planning framework is required for solving those interdependent challenges, e.g., thorough analysis, a well-thought-out strategy with contingencies, precise execution, and vigilant monitoring.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Leon is the son of teachers. He learned at a young age that to excel in academics and athletics requires discipline. When he gained admission into Howard University’s rigorous 5-year Architecture program, it was discipline that enabled him to succeed as a student-athlete and later as an architectural engineer at Eastman Kodak and Private Wealth Advisor.
His civic engagements have included board directorships at Howard University School of Architecture and Design Advisory Council, and Aaron Davis Hall, Inc./Harlem Stage. He participates in associations such as the Howard University Alumni Association, Harvard Club of New York, and Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association. He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
When not working with clients, Leon is a patron of the arts and architecture. He loves competitive sports, and is a fan of the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Clippers (who were once the Buffalo Braves).
Securities Agent: TN, MN, MD, WY, MA, IA, NY, NJ, WI, OK, VA, PA, TX, NC, OH, IL, GA, CO, UT, DC, CT, AZ, AL, CA, DE, AR, FL, MO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
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.
With more than 30 years of experience in wealth management and portfolio construction, we help you to preserve and grow your wealth by delivering Morgan Stanley’s global resources and expertise – and in a manner that is most appropriate for the way you invest. Whether you are on the west or east coast, you will have access to some of the world’s most respected investment professionals, one of the largest trading and execution platforms in the industry, and a full spectrum of investment choices to help you meet your objectives.
As we collaborate with you on your aims, you will find that we are distinguished by the intellectual capital – knowledge, skills and training -- we bring to bear on your behalf. Having served our clients though a variety of market cycles since the 1980s, we are able to provide a level of insight, practical advice and guidance that is rare in the wealth management industry. Our select client base -- ultra-high net worth individuals and venerable institutions – remain with us for years because we strive to earn their trust each day.
We take great pride in delivering a level of service that is distinguished by responsiveness, a thorough financial planning process, and disciplined investing: we don’t chase fads or succumb to emotions caused by blaring headlines. We also look beyond the numbers to ascertain how we can best possibly help you to answer life’s big questions, such as how to pass on your traditions and values to the next generation and how to educate your family about the responsibilities of great wealth. As many of our clients are in the media spotlight, they trust in our commitment to discretion.
Trust. Service. Process. Performance. Those are the pillars we have built our practice upon. We welcome you and invite you to speak with us to learn more.
As we collaborate with you on your aims, you will find that we are distinguished by the intellectual capital – knowledge, skills and training -- we bring to bear on your behalf. Having served our clients though a variety of market cycles since the 1980s, we are able to provide a level of insight, practical advice and guidance that is rare in the wealth management industry. Our select client base -- ultra-high net worth individuals and venerable institutions – remain with us for years because we strive to earn their trust each day.
We take great pride in delivering a level of service that is distinguished by responsiveness, a thorough financial planning process, and disciplined investing: we don’t chase fads or succumb to emotions caused by blaring headlines. We also look beyond the numbers to ascertain how we can best possibly help you to answer life’s big questions, such as how to pass on your traditions and values to the next generation and how to educate your family about the responsibilities of great wealth. As many of our clients are in the media spotlight, they trust in our commitment to discretion.
Trust. Service. Process. Performance. Those are the pillars we have built our practice upon. We welcome you and invite you to speak with us to learn more.
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.
Second Opinion Services
We know the choices you make now will likely impact your family for generations to come. Given the market volatility and socioeconomic challenges of recent years ̶ and the potential for more ̶ we have established a complimentary review service to help increase your confidence in the decisions you make. This rare opportunity provides you with the same knowledge and guidance reserved for our select Private Wealth Management clients.
Comprehensive Wealth Management
We utilize a modern wealth management approach for affluent individuals that addresses the diverse challenges of managing financial, family, and social capital. This is a 360 degree method of wealth management with technology and investment management at its core.
The Discovery Process
When it comes to steering wealth that spans generations and continents, you face exceptional challenges. The Consultative Process begins with a discovery meeting: an open dialogue in which we invest the time to learn about you and your family: your guiding principles, objectives, challenges, opportunities, assets, liabilities, and risk exposures. We will meet with you in person, or if you prefer, via a virtual meeting from the comfort of your own home. Through our second-opinion service you have the opportunity to experience our six-step financial planning process without obligation.
How It Works
As we proceed through the discovery phase, we will ascertain if we have a basis for working together. And if so, we will meet in person for the mutual commitment conference. During this visit, we will confirm if you are on track to achieve your goals with your current financial provider. If needed, we will suggest ways we can help, including recommending an alternate provider if we are not the right fit for your needs. Either way, you will receive a Total Client Profile and a personalized analysis of your current situation.
If we are a good fit, we will draw on deep, specialized experience to tailor a personalized plan to address your complex and evolving multigenerational financial goals and family mission.
If we are a good fit, we will draw on deep, specialized experience to tailor a personalized plan to address your complex and evolving multigenerational financial goals and family mission.
Location
55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 603-6230(212) 603-6230
Private Wealth Management
Professional Insights
OPEN UP A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES WITH MORGAN STANLEY ONLINE
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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.
Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers
Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Private Banking Solutions
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
1Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
2Investing 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.
3Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
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
2Investing 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.
3Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
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
CRC 4237142 (02/2025)
