About Nik Totaro
Nik Totaro is the Managing Director - Market Executive for the Midtown South Market of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. The market is comprised of over 250 financial advisors supported by more than 230 service professionals. In total the market has been entrusted to manage over $100B of client assets. The Midtown South market has rich culture and legacy, something Nik and his team take immense pride in preserving and continuing.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2024, Nik spent 16 years at Merrill Lynch, having joined in 2008 as a financial advisor. He began his career in wealth management as a Financial Advisor in 2004. After 11 years as an advisor, he transitioned into leadership in 2015 and in 2018 he was recognized as one of the Top 75 branch manages in the industry by On Wall Street.
Nik attended the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University where he majored in Finance with a minor in accounting. While at Fairfield he was a member of the varsity football team.
He grew up in Northern New Jersey and currently resides in Darien, CT with his wife Lauren, son Niko, and daughter Ava. In his spare time Nik enjoys playing golf, fishing, cooking, coaching his kids’ sports and traveling with his family and friends.
His previous years were spent with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms in progressively responsible sales, business, and leadership roles having spent much of his career in the field. In his last role at Morgan Stanley, John was Director of Professional Development and responsible for the professional growth of the firm’s field management, financial advisors and home office employees. Prior to MS, he served as Chief Administrative Officer of Smith Barney, overseeing the firm’s retail branch system of more than 12,000 financial advisors.
John enjoyed his time in the various corporate roles; however he realized his real passion was being in a branch working with clients, advisors and support staff. He has spent a good portion of his career managing branches for Smith Barney throughout the North East. He began his career as a Financial Advisor after graduating with his BA from Pace University.
John, his wife Lisa and three children Ryan, Victoria and Ali live in New Jersey. During their free time they enjoy sports and travel.