My Story

Ryan Waselewsky CFP® is a dedicated financial advisor who thrives on providing personalized guidance to his clients, their families and any other professionals that are part of the family relationship. His approach helps to ensure that he is able to provide customized advice to each family he serves, as every client has different needs, goals, and aspirations. Ryan is dedicated to keeping a manageable number of families within his practice, as he realizes that proactive communication, the depth of the relationship and work/life balance are critical to the success of the families he serves. Ryan's passion to become a financial advisor was ignited by witnessing his family's experience while working with their ‘broker.’ The transactional-based relationship did not seem to benefit his family, nor did they receive the guidance they deserved in order to reach their ultimate goal, Ryan saw the client/advisor relationship as broken. This observation motivated him to pursue a career where he could genuinely make a difference and help shape the way financial advisors work with their clients.

Ryan's financial experience began in 2007 at Merrill Lynch. This was the time of 'the Great Recession' and he trained on how to help clients navigate an extremely volatile, emotional, destructive investment environment. After two-years of education on wealth destruction, Ryan learned the importance of financial planning, disciplined investing and the power of fear and greed.

In 2010, Ryan made a transition to Morgan Stanley as he saw them becoming the industry's leading professionals of financial advice. Two years after his transition, Ryan became a Business Development Manager (Sales Manager) for a large territory called Greater Michigan. This role helped him develop into the financial advisor he is today. He worked closely with upper management on product ideas that could benefit our clients and was able to observe many of our top financial advisors on how they ran their practice. In 2015, Ryan became the Producing Branch Manager for the Downtown Grand Rapids Office and, in 2021, became a Non-Producing Branch Manager of our newly built office in Cascade, which brought together two of our largest offices in West Michigan, Downtown Grand Rapids, and our Cascade Office. As of April 2022, Ryan had stepped down as Branch Manager to focus on his main role as a financial advisor.

Ryan leverages the best resources available at Morgan Stanley and has earned the CFP®
designation to align with the firm's goals and help better serve his clients effectively. Beyond his professional life, Ryan is deeply committed to his community. He actively volunteers at local charities and instills values of kindness, care, and protectiveness in his children, emphasizing the importance of family in their lives.

In his personal time, Ryan enjoys playing golf, attending sporting events with his children and, in his rare free days, spending time on the water.
Services Include
Securities Agent: TX, NJ, MI, AZ, WI, PA, OH, KY, NV, MO, CA, UT, CO, VA, NY, MD, IN, CT, AL, SC, NC, MA, IL, GA, FL, DE, MN; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2396151
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

My job as your financial advisor is to look out for your best interests and help you achieve your financial goals.  The foundation of my client relationships are built from mutual respect, honesty and trust.  I believe the best way to help you reach your goal’s is to listen not only to your dreams, but your concerns. Trust and mutual respect begins with proactive two-way dialogue.  I encourage my clients to ask questions, discuss concerns and provide honest feedback.   The more feedback I receive and the more communication we have, the stronger our relationship will be.  Below is the process you can expect as one of my clients:

1. An in-depth, customized financial plan that is constantly updated as your financial life evolves.
2. A disciplined investment strategy that is driven by your financial plan, risk tolerance and income needs.
3. An fee structure that is consistent and transparent.
4. A proactive dialogue that focuses on your life, your investments and your goals.  This dialogue will include any and all other trusted professionals you rely on such as your CPA or Attorney.
5. Market updates provided verbally and digitally that will keep you up-to-speed on the markets and new investment opportunities.
6. A commitment to ‘bring in the experts’ when your situation is in need of advice that is outside my experience.  This includes trust analysis, tax management, liability management, philanthropic management, ultra-high net worth solutions, succession planning, impact investing, stock options, and 401k solutions.

How to Retire Comfortably

Many of my clients have built their wealth from successful, hard working careers and want to make sure that they have enough saved for their retirement. These tailored financial plans combine risk management, tax efficiency, and regular reviews to achieve customized investment portfolios. I have built both a professional and personal relationship with each of my clients and their families, so that they are comfortable having serious conversations that other advisors won’t discuss. Over time, the relationships with my clients only grows stronger and as they come closer to and eventually retire, they are living the lives they had spent their careers working towards.
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    Working With Your Family
    I look forward to learning more about you and your family, and discussing how I can help you safeguard what you have earned and pursue your most important life goals. I deliver an exceptionally attentive level of service and dedicate myself to finding solutions to the challenges our clients face, even those challenges that fall well outside the traditional role of wealth managers.
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    Estate Planning Strategies
    Working with our wealth centers team, we look at all aspects of an individual's estate to understand the potential estate planning attributes of the vehicles. The goal is to make more informed investment decisions for the client by looking at their estate plan holistically.
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    Philanthropic Planning
    Your set of Philanthropic objectives is as personal as your vision of a better world. Determining your objectives, however, can be challenging when there are so many worthy causes and so many unmet needs. As you explore which efforts will ultimately give you the greatest satisfaction consider the following
    You Can Access More Information Here
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    Lifestyle Services
    The enjoyment of wealth means the most powerful benefits of a family office is the potential to help family members simplify their personal lives. We provide bespoke solutions and access to knowledgeable, highly personal specialists to help meet your exceptional needs, from the everyday to the extraordinary, such as: travel and concierge services, health and security advisory, tangible asset management, personal enrichment, and financial administration.
    Learn More Here
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    Cash Management
    I can help your family with cash management, budget issues, advice on large purchases, or even help your child understand investments.
    Learn More Here

Working With Business Owners

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Running a business requires a lot of steps that takes time, attention to detail and effort by the owner. I will walk you through all the areas of your business seeking to achieve your short and long term goals. I also collaborate with strategic partners within Morgan Stanley to make sure that you are working with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable experts in the industry on specific topics, such as 401(K) planning and insurance.
Building a Business Plan
- Understand brand and company inside and out
- Emphasis on time – take finances off your plate so you can focus on running your business
- Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning, Asset Management, “Planning the Exit”
- Help Prepare business for future growth
- Plan personal and business finances

Modern Wealth Tools

Morgan Stanley's suite of Modern Wealth Tools allows advisors to offer customized advice. These tools' ease of use allows for a more in-depth view of a client's financial life to be taken, resulting in better service and more well-rounded advice.
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    Morgan Stanley Online and MS Mobile
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of features beyond viewing your account balance and activity that you should take advantage of.

    Features:
    - eAuthorizations: an enhanced way to authorize transactions with one click on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App

    - eDelivery: reduces paper documents sent by mail and can protect your personal information from getting into the hands of identity thieves.

    - Managing your everyday finances such as paying bills online, sending money or transferring funds.
    Login to MSO Here
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you and your clients to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.

    Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors.
    Watch This Video About Digital Vault
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    Goals Planning System
    - A Plan Designed to Achieve Goals: A holistic Goals Planning System approach to Wealth Management can help tailor an investment framework that considers key aspects of our clients’ life, such as retirement age, healthcare costs, home buying, cash management, legacy needs, and potential withdrawal strategies.

    - Embedded Investment Strategy to Help Clients Get on Track: Once goals are assessed, various investment proposals are considered to help clients get on track in accordance with their risk tolerance. The new tools will link to the latest asset allocation models, research and ideas and facilitate the Financial Advisor in providing advice right where it's needed.

    - Track Progress to Goals: Using goals as a benchmark, the investment strategy is continuously evaluated to ensure clients are on track.

    - Stay Flexible as Goals Change: As circumstances and goals change, we can help adjust priorities and introduce additional solutions.
    Check Out GPS Here
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    Total Wealth View
    We've launched a new tool that allows you to link information from your accounts at other financial institutions directly to your Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile App profile.

    The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.
    Learn How to Connect Your External Accounts
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    Portfolio Risk Platform
    This risk management platform offers an extensive range of risk assessment and reporting capabilities across various asset classes and security types in your portfolio.
    Click Here To Learn More
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    Retirement Planning
    It’s important to determine how much money you may need to save for a comfortable retirement. Here are three strategies that can help you optimize your 401(k) plan.
    Learn More About 401k Strategies

Location

5122 Cascade Road SE 1st
Fl
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
US
Direct:
(616) 771-6048(616) 771-6048

Meet My Team

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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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 Ryan Waselewsky today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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.

1Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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3Morgan 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 consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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4When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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5When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients 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.

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7Alternative 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.

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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.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

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.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)