About Kathleen A. Burns
Kathleen began her wealth advisory and portfolio management career in 1983 and with more than three decades of experience brings trust, experience and a clear vision to your investment journey. She joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 after 11 years at UBS Financial Services. Dedicated to providing wealth planning strategies at the highest level, Kathleen earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC®) certification through the College of Financial Planning. Her license includes series 7, 31, 63, and 65 security licenses as well as insurance licenses for life, health, annuities, and long-term care.
Kathleen earned her Bachelor's degree in International Relations and History from The University of Southern California and a Master's degree in International Finance from Boston University.
Outside the office, Kathleen lives in Valencia with her husband Bob. They enjoy traveling around the world, eclectic music choices and watching their beloved Trojans. Kathleen and Bob have a son Devon and two rescue Abyssinian cats, Frankie and Elliot. Kathleen is an Executive Member of the USC Board of Governors and the USC Dornsife Alumni Advisory Council. Currently, Kathleen is volunteering with Town & Gown of USC as well as the USC Newman Guild. This is her 2nd year serving with the Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility who advise the Investment Committee on the Board of Trustees. She is also a past Board member of the Glendale Memorial Health Foundation.
Experience to guide you forward
-Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley 2020 - Present
-Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, UBS, 2009 – 2020
-Vice President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, 1990 – 2009
My professional achievements and education
2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from
6/30/22-6/30/23. Award Disclosures
Forbes Best-In-State Women Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/22 - 9/30/23
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/22 - 6/30/23
Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Apr 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/18 - 9/30/19.
Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research's Top Wealth Advisor Moms
Source: Workingmother.com (Awarded Oct 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/19 - 3/31/20."
-Certified Financial Planner 2012 - present
-Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor 2014 - present
-Qualified Plan Financial Consultant 2023 - present
-M.A. Boston University International Finance
-B.A. University of Southern California International Relations & History
Securities Agent: NH, NC, CA, TX, IL, OR, FL, VA, NV, KS, AR, UT, MO, AZ, OH, LA, CT, TN, NY, ID, HI, WA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2133269
CA Insurance License #: 0B34489