Maria Hernandez
Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2225(310) 788-2225
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Richard Duffy
Executive Director, Private Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(310) 788-1722(310) 788-1722
My Mission Statement
Our goal is to help you protect and enhance your wealth so you can support the people, causes and institutions that add meaning to your life.
WELCOME
As Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisors, we combine our own talents and experience with the vast resources of a global financial services firm to address the planning, governance, liability management and investing needs of ultra high net worth families, their businesses and philanthropic enterprises. We take a holistic approach that is grounded in investment strategy, but covers virtually every aspect of your financial life: risk management, liabilities, trusts and estate structures and even family dynamics and lifestyle management issues. Our goal is to help preserve and grow your financial, family and social capital so that it can have the greatest positive impact today and for generations to come.
We look forward to learning more about you and your family, and discussing the resources we can place at your disposal.
We look forward to learning more about you and your family, and discussing the resources we can place at your disposal.
Securities Agent: CA, PR, WY, WA, VA, NV, FL, DC, CO, MA, ID, NH, NC, PA, NM, IL, DE, AZ, AR, GA, SC, MT, LA, KS, AK, NY, MD, TX, HI, UT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 530021
NMLS#: 530021
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.
MY BIOGRAPHY
Drawing on more than three decades of diverse experience in the financial services industry, Richard Duffy works closely with a select clientele of high-achieving individuals, families and their charitable entities. Richard and his partner, Garrett Bland, combine their talents with the vast resources of Morgan Stanley to deliver an institutional approach to highly-customized wealth management solutions based on each of their clients’ specific needs and aspirations.
Prior to joining Private Wealth Management in 2024, Richard covered community banks for Morgan Stanley, specializing in fixed income securities, residential loan sales and warehouse syndications. He previously served as a Managing Director at JP Morgan in Los Angeles and Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns in Boston and Los Angeles. Richard attended boarding school at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA and graduated from Northeastern University in Boston.
Richard and his wife, Amanda, live in Glendale, California, with their golden retriever, Elsie. Their two children, Marcel and Celine, are both attending Richard’s Alma Mater Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. A scratch golfer, Richard is a 3-time club champion playing out of Lakeside Golf Club, Wilshire Country Club and Worcester Country Club. He is also an active volunteer with the Southern California Golf Foundation, which offers mentorship and access opportunities to young people throughout the region.
Prior to joining Private Wealth Management in 2024, Richard covered community banks for Morgan Stanley, specializing in fixed income securities, residential loan sales and warehouse syndications. He previously served as a Managing Director at JP Morgan in Los Angeles and Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns in Boston and Los Angeles. Richard attended boarding school at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA and graduated from Northeastern University in Boston.
Richard and his wife, Amanda, live in Glendale, California, with their golden retriever, Elsie. Their two children, Marcel and Celine, are both attending Richard’s Alma Mater Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. A scratch golfer, Richard is a 3-time club champion playing out of Lakeside Golf Club, Wilshire Country Club and Worcester Country Club. He is also an active volunteer with the Southern California Golf Foundation, which offers mentorship and access opportunities to young people throughout the region.
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.
Location
1999 Ave Of The Stars
Ste 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
US
Direct:
(310) 788-1722(310) 788-1722
Meet My Team
Sherry A. Zambrano
Registered Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2226(310) 788-2226
Fredy Rivera
Registered Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2032(310) 788-2032
About Maria Hernandez
Maria Hernandez is a Wealth Management Associate at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. As the team’s primary interface for clients, Maria is responsible for a number of important functions. These include assisting with processing client requests, executing trades, performing fixed-income and retirement plan analytics, creating asset allocation reports and preparing presentations and year-end reviews.
Maria also assists with a variety of corporate services issues, such as stock option plan administration, restricted securities transactions, 10b5-1 selling plans, concentrated positions and lending solutions.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Maria was a Client Associate with J.P. Morgan Securities and began her career in financial services at Bear Stearns in 1995. Before that, Maria managed a number of executive travel functions at Hilltop Aviation (1991-1995).
Maria lives in Los Angeles with her two children. She enjoys attending live music and sporting events, camping and gardening.
Maria also assists with a variety of corporate services issues, such as stock option plan administration, restricted securities transactions, 10b5-1 selling plans, concentrated positions and lending solutions.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Maria was a Client Associate with J.P. Morgan Securities and began her career in financial services at Bear Stearns in 1995. Before that, Maria managed a number of executive travel functions at Hilltop Aviation (1991-1995).
Maria lives in Los Angeles with her two children. She enjoys attending live music and sporting events, camping and gardening.
About Sherry A. Zambrano
Sherry Zambrano is a Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. She facilitates a number of operations functions for the team, among which are fulfilling client requests, preparing documentation, coordinating client investments in syndicate and IPO offerings and executing trades.
Sherry began her financial services career during college when she served as an intern at an investment bank. She found the experience to be a good fit with her business curriculum, and pursued a role in investment management upon graduation, joining J.P. Morgan in 2011. She considers her success with clients to be based on her genuine interest in understanding their needs, and then doing the necessary research to respond in a timely manner.
Sherry was born and raised in Mexico City where she was a championship figure skater. She earned a B.S. degree in business administration with an emphasis on leadership development from the University of Southern California. While a student there, she helped found the USC Figure Skating Club. Sherry lives in Beverly Hills, where she enjoys yoga, rock climbing and traveling.
Sherry began her financial services career during college when she served as an intern at an investment bank. She found the experience to be a good fit with her business curriculum, and pursued a role in investment management upon graduation, joining J.P. Morgan in 2011. She considers her success with clients to be based on her genuine interest in understanding their needs, and then doing the necessary research to respond in a timely manner.
Sherry was born and raised in Mexico City where she was a championship figure skater. She earned a B.S. degree in business administration with an emphasis on leadership development from the University of Southern California. While a student there, she helped found the USC Figure Skating Club. Sherry lives in Beverly Hills, where she enjoys yoga, rock climbing and traveling.
About Fredy Rivera
Fredy Rivera is a Registered Associate within Morgan Stanley's Private Wealth Management division, having joined the firm in 2024. In his role, Fredy collaborates with team members to support various operational functions, including onboarding and maintaining client accounts, processing orders as directed by the financial advisor, and assisting with firm services and solutions to address clients' needs. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Fredy began his career at Fidelity Investments in 2023 as a Financial Representative. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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.
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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We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
1Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and its affiliates and their employees (including Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors) are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any statements contained herein should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisor or attorney for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving personal trusts and estate planning.
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.
3Morgan 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
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.
3Morgan 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
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)
