My Story and Services

Dedicated to building meaningful client relationships, Michelle Kaplan helps individuals and families navigate their financial lives with clarity, confidence, and purpose. She believes that understanding each client’s unique story is essential to providing thoughtful advice and a tailored experience. Michelle provides personalized guidance across key areas of financial planning, including retirement planning, investment management, tax-efficient investing, and estate planning strategies, helping clients make informed decisions and feel supported as they plan for the future.

Michelle is a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley’s Jericho, New York office. She began her career at UBS in 2022 working as a financial advisor. She graduated from Haverford College with a BS in Psychology and was a member of the varsity softball team. She holds Series 7 and 66 licenses as well as Life, Health, and Variable Life/Annuities insurance licenses (California Insurance License #4527998).
Securities Agent: FL, OH, NY, MO, AL, TX, NV, ID, GA, PA, NJ, MN, MI, IA, CA, AR, WY, TN, DE, SC, NH, ME, CO, VA, AZ, WA, UT, HI, KS, CT, NC, MD, DC, VT, RI, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2781513
CA Insurance License #: 4527998
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WORKING WITH YOU

With greater wealth comes greater complexity. Our practice strives to simplify your financial life through clear communication, personalized planning and collaboration with your professional advisor network.

    Multigenerational Families

    We work with you to learn about your specific needs, and work towards your goals. We assist your loved ones with wealth transfer and estate planning and help the next generation achieve financial independence.

    Corporate Executives and Professionals

    We work within the time constraints your career presents, enabling you to enjoy what matters most and ensure that your financial life receives the attention it requires.

    Corporate Retirement Plans

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future – it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools to achieve. Morgan Stanley at Work provides plan sponsors with a comprehensive suite of solutions and investment experience that helps your employees maximize their potential to reach their long-term goals.

    Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

    We provide specialized guidance on how to run a successful business, including tax planning, employee benefits, and succession planning. We work closely with business owners positioning to sell businesses, and understand the process can be sensitive and personal. We work with you every step of the way.

    Pre-Retirees

    As clients progress from their early years in the workforce through their careers and head toward retirement, we are alongside helping to plan and mitigate risks.

PURSUING YOUR GOALS, TOGETHER

I am committed to providing informed guidance about managing your business and your wealth more effectively in today's global markets.

    Succession Planning

    Ownership of a business can represent years, sometimes decades of arduous work and commitment. Nevertheless, business owners are often unfamiliar with the complexities and preparation that go into a successful succession strategy. Whether you are contemplating an IPO, merger with another company, private sale, or succession within the family I am here to help you develop and execute a successful exit strategy.

    Morgan Stanley at Work

    Workplace financial solutions that help employees achieve their life goals. Our comprehensive offering spans Equity, Financial Wellness and Retirement solutions, plus Financial Empowerment, so your workforce can realize the full potential of their benefits.

    Business Financing & Planning

    You have meaningful goals. I can help you reach them. For over 85 years Morgan Stanley has collaborated with individuals, families, businesses, and institutions to deliver services and solutions that help build, preserve, and manage wealth.

    Equity Compensation 101

    When you own company equity, you become a shareholder in your company. Equity programs vary widely, so it is important to understand the details and how it fits into your financial plan.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED, ALL IN ONE PLACE

As a Morgan Stanley client, you have access to a suite of digital tools and resources aimed at helping you manage your finances with greater ease.

    Morgan Stanley Online

    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.

    Spending and Budgeting Tool

    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    This tool allows you to set budget goals for each spending category and will send you alerts when you are at risk of exceeding the amount, or when you have met your monthly budget goals. It even tracks your non-Morgan Stanley accounts, helps you to set goals to improve your financial picture, and can be shared with your Financial Advisor as part of their review of your complete financial picture.

    eDelivery

    Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.

    Goals Planning System

    Our Goals Planning System is built on Morgan Stanley's intellectual capital and capabilities, to provide our clients with comprehensive investing and planning solutions for their individual goals.

    Portfolio Risk Platform

    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Our Portfolio Risk Platform, backed by institutional-caliber analytics, assesses thousands of risk factors using a holdings-based approach to assess a portfolio's exposures, analyze how securities behave together across portfolios and forecast how they influence risk and return moving forward.

    Digital Vault

    Digital Vault lets you easily and conveniently manage and share life's most important documents, such as financial statements, authorizations, tax filings, and other relevant files.

    Total Wealth View

    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.

AWARD-WINNING WEALTH MANAGEMENT. FOCUSED ON YOU.

With the guidance of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor and the strength of a five-time award-winning wealth management platform<sup> <a href="#wm-disclosure-1" class="Link--underline"> <span class="sr-only">Footnote</span> 1 </a> </sup>, you can build, preserve, and manage your wealth with precision and purpose. For every stage of your financial journey.

    Tax-Smart Solutions
    Leading tax optimization capabilities\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-2" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 2 \</a\> \</sup\> designed to deliver year\-round tax management with an eye toward reducing taxes and boosting after\-tax returns.
    Seamless Cash Management Integration
    A comprehensive, coordinated strategy with access to competitive yields, flexible financing options, and exclusive cash management resources.
    Premier Risk Management and Cyber Defense
    Industry\-acclaimed risk management tools\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-3" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 3 \</a\> \</sup\> to help drive smarter portfolio decisions. In\-house team of cybersecurity experts dedicated to help protect you from cyber threats.
    Personalized Legacy Planning
    Guidance from experienced professionals across estate, trust, philanthropy, and financial planning to help preserve and grow your legacy.
    An Industry-Leading Platform
    Expert insights from 500+ equity analysts to help unlock your portfolio's potential and investment guidance.
    Liquidity When You Need It
    Industry\-leading securities\-based lending solutions to help access liquidity without selling assets or disrupting your investment strategy.\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-4" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 4 \</a\> \</sup\>
    Robust Concentrated Stock Solutions
    Powerful tools and strategies to help manage concentrated stock positions and look to optimize portfolio outcomes.
    Alternatives & Private Markets Access
    A comprehensive alternative investments platform offering tailored solutions, early access to select offerings, and competitive pricing structures. Exclusive private market and pre\-IPO opportunities that were previously reserved for institutions.

Location

Two Jericho Plaza
Jericho, NY 11753
US
Direct:
(516) 336-0724(516) 336-0724

Meet My Team

About Krystle Gesmundo

Krystle is a Wealth Management Associate at Morgan Stanley’s Jericho, New York office. She has over 20 years of industry experience working at Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Citi Smith Barney. She graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York at Oneonta where she received a BS in Business Economics. She holds Series 7 and 66 licenses. Krystle lives in East Northport with her husband and their two sons.
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
Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors

Prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to higher oil prices, hotter inflation and greater market uncertainty.

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 Michelle Kaplan today.
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.

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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.

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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.

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Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley

Please read the important disclosures below.
1) Morgan Stanley Wealth Management secured Money Management Institute/Barron’s Industry Awards for Wealth Manager Platform of the Year. The Wealth Manager Platform of the Year category recognizes a wealth manager platform that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and Financial Advisors. This award has been secured in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2019 & 2018. The winners were selected by a specially appointed MMI Industry Awards Steering Council. The Steering Council consists of representatives from all segments of the MMI membership. After carefully reviewing the nominations submitted, the Steering Council determined a slate of finalists in each award category. The primary contacts at each of MMI’s 207 member firms were eligible to vote to determine the winners. Nominations were reviewed and evaluated to determine finalists June 2024 - July 2024. Finalists were voted on to determine a winner August 2024. MMI/Barron’s does not receive compensation from the participating firms in exchange for the award and Morgan Stanley did not pay a fee to MMI/Barron’s in exchange for its receipt of the award. Morgan Stanley is a member of MMI and pays a fee to MMI as part of its membership dues. Morgan Stanley’s receipt of this award is not indicative of any future performance. These awards were granted to Morgan Stanley based on the time period from October 2023 to June 2024. There were 6 firms considered for the Wealth Management Platform of the Year Award and 12 firms considered for the Distribution Excellence Award. The Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association representing financial services firms and Barron’s is a financial magazine; both groups are responsible for the award. Accolade qualifications for past years may vary; additional information available upon request.

2) Industry’s top tax-optimization technology refers to tax management capabilities developed by Eaton Vance and Parametric, affiliates of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is a leading provider of direct indexing strategies. According to Cerulli Associates’ Q1 2026 Managed Account Edition, Morgan Stanley ranked first among 15 firms in Direct Index SMA assets under management based on reported industry assets. The ranking reflects scale of assets and does not evaluate tax outcomes, performance, or quality of technology. Tax outcomes will vary and are not guaranteed.

3) The Celent Model Wealth Manager 2025 Awards for Data and Analytics and Essential and Emerging Technologies were granted to Morgan Stanley following an evaluation process conducted by Celent analysts. To be considered for this award, Morgan Stanley submitted Model Wealth Manager 2025 Nomination Award Worksheets to Celent on or about January 30, 2025. Celent judged each submission on three criteria: (1) Measurable business benefits of live initiatives; (2) degree of innovation relative to the industry; and (3) technology or implementation excellence. In order to win, the initiatives must demonstrate clear business benefits, innovation, and technology or implementation excellence. Celent does not receive compensation from the participating firms in exchange for the award and Morgan Stanley did not pay a fee to Celent in exchange for the award. Morgan Stanley is not affiliated with Celent. Based on their submission on January 30, 2025 for Celent’s 2025 Model Awards program, Celent granted Morgan Stanley their awards in June, 2025 and publicly shared the news in June, 2025. Celent is a global financial services research and advisory firm and is responsible for determining the recipient of this award.

4) Q4 2025 Securities Based Lending McLagan Survey – 6 Firm Report. Based on both Non-Purpose Lending and total SBL balances. Borrowing against securities may not be appropriate for everyone. Clients must be aware that there are risks associated with a securities based loan, including possible maintenance calls on short notice, and that market conditions can magnify any potential for loss.

Not all products, tools, platforms, and services referenced are available to all clients. Please speak with your Financial Advisor for eligibility criteria.

Investing in securities involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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.

Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.

Cash management and lending products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

Borrowing against securities may not be appropriate for everyone. Clients must be aware that there are risks associated with a securities based loan, including possible maintenance calls on short notice, and that market conditions can magnify any potential for loss. For details please see the important disclosures below.

Important Risk Information for Securities Based Lending: Clients must be aware that: (1) Sufficient collateral must be maintained to support the loan and to take future advances; (2) Clients may have to deposit additional cash or eligible securities on short notice; (3) Some or all of the pledged securities may be sold without prior notice in order to maintain account equity at required collateral maintenance levels. Clients will not be entitled to choose the securities that will be sold. These actions may interrupt long-term investment strategy and may result in adverse tax consequences or in additional fees being assessed; (4) Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (collectively referred to as "Morgan Stanley") reserve the right not to fund any advance request due to insufficient collateral or for any other reason except for any portion of a securities based loan that is identified as a committed facility; (5) Morgan Stanley reserves the right to increase the collateral maintenance requirements at any time without notice; and (6) Morgan Stanley reserves the right to call securities based loans at any time and for any reason.

With the exception of a margin loan, the proceeds from securities based loan products may not be used to purchase, trade, or carry margin stock (or securities, with respect to Express CreditLine); repay margin debt that was used to purchase, trade or carry margin stock (or securities, with respect to Express CreditLine); and cannot be deposited into a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other brokerage account.

To be eligible for a securities based loan, a client must have a brokerage account at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC that contains eligible securities, which shall serve as collateral for the securities based loan.

Securities based loans are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

There is no guarantee that tax-loss harvesting will achieve any particular tax result. Clients may elect Tax Management Services for the account by notifying their Financial Advisor, and indicate what Maximum Tax or Realized Capital Gain Instruction is desired for the account, if any. The Tax Management Services Terms and Conditions attached to the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Select UMA ADV brochure as Exhibit A will govern Tax Management Services in the account. Review the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Select UMA ADV brochure carefully with your tax advisor.

Industry acclaimed risk platform refers to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s (“Morgan Stanley”) Portfolio Risk Platform. The assumptions used in the Report incorporate portfolio risk and scenario analysis employed by BlackRock Solutions (“BRS”), a financial technology and risk analytics provider that is independent of Morgan Stanley. BRS’ role is limited to providing risk analytics to Morgan Stanley, and BRS is not acting as a broker-dealer or investment adviser nor does it provide investment advice with respect to the Report. Morgan Stanley has validated and adopted the analytical conclusions of these risk models. The analysis provided is illustrative only. Morgan Stanley cannot predict a portfolio’s risk of loss due to, among other things, changing market conditions or other unanticipated circumstances. The analysis is based purely on assumptions made using available data and any of its forecasts are subject to change.

The footnotes below apply to the industry-leading claims referenced above. More information is available upon request.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Securities based loans are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

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

Morgan 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 visit us at www.morganstanley.com/wealth or consult with your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor to read about those differences.

The sole purpose of this material is to inform, and it in no way is intended to be an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security, other investment service, or to attract any funds or deposits. Investments mentioned may not be appropriate for all clients. Before making any investment, each investor should carefully consider the risks associated with the investment, as discussed in the applicable offering memorandum and make a determination based on their own particular circumstances that the investment is consistent with their investment objectives and risk tolerance.

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