Sandra Gabay, CFP®, CIMA®, CDFA®
First Vice President, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(212) 603-6213(212) 603-6213
My Mission Statement
Named to 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 Morgan Stanley Pacesetter's Club
Named to 2025, 2024, 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Named to 2025, 2024, 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
My Story and Services
Disciplined, thorough and process-oriented, Sandra takes a holistic approach to wealth management. As a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) by training, she aims to make her clients better investors, more tax-efficient, and aware of creative planning techniques that can help them meet their goals.
As a Partner with the Fifth Avenue Group of Morgan Stanley, Sandra has deep experience working with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. She is sensitive to individual client situations and is a caring, careful listener. Her customized advice and strategies have helped clients feel comfortable in retirement, purchase properties, plan for education, gift assets, review their estate plans, and start anew when curveballs or crossroads are met.
Strongly committed to her industry, Sandra has several professional designations and licenses. In addition to the CFP®, Sandra holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, administered by the IWI*, and taught in conjunction with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® who works with clients to help them navigate the divorce or separation process. As a CDFA®, she assists clients with budgeting, asset preservation strategies and settlement review.
Sandra was recruited to Morgan Stanley with her team in 2016. Prior to Morgan Stanley, she was a Financial Planning Analyst at the UBS Headquarters office in New York City. In this capacity, she worked with many of America's top Financial Advisors by helping their clients with sophisticated planning. Sandra began her career at Wells Fargo Advisors in Dallas, TX.
Originally from Oklahoma, Sandra graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma. She currently resides in Westchester with her young family. In her free time, she enjoys trips to the beach, reading books (often written by clients!), and spending time with her boys.
*Investments & Wealth Institute
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.
As a Partner with the Fifth Avenue Group of Morgan Stanley, Sandra has deep experience working with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. She is sensitive to individual client situations and is a caring, careful listener. Her customized advice and strategies have helped clients feel comfortable in retirement, purchase properties, plan for education, gift assets, review their estate plans, and start anew when curveballs or crossroads are met.
Strongly committed to her industry, Sandra has several professional designations and licenses. In addition to the CFP®, Sandra holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, administered by the IWI*, and taught in conjunction with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® who works with clients to help them navigate the divorce or separation process. As a CDFA®, she assists clients with budgeting, asset preservation strategies and settlement review.
Sandra was recruited to Morgan Stanley with her team in 2016. Prior to Morgan Stanley, she was a Financial Planning Analyst at the UBS Headquarters office in New York City. In this capacity, she worked with many of America's top Financial Advisors by helping their clients with sophisticated planning. Sandra began her career at Wells Fargo Advisors in Dallas, TX.
Originally from Oklahoma, Sandra graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma. She currently resides in Westchester with her young family. In her free time, she enjoys trips to the beach, reading books (often written by clients!), and spending time with her boys.
*Investments & Wealth Institute
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.
Services Include
- Financial PlanningFootnote1
- Retirement PlanningFootnote2
- Divorce Financial AnalysisFootnote3
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote4
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Life InsuranceFootnote5
- Long Term Care InsuranceFootnote6
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote7
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote8
- Corporate BondsFootnote9
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote10
Securities Agent: TN, PR, NV, MN, VI, NJ, DE, DC, WI, VT, MA, WA, TX, AL, VA, PA, NH, LA, SC, OK, OH, KS, FL, CO, MT, MO, ME, MD, AR, RI, OR, KY, IN, IL, GA, AK, WV, NY, NC, MI, ID, CT, CA, AZ, WY, IA, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1809624
NMLS#: 1809624
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) professional, Sandra takes a comprehensive approach to managing your wealth. She works diligently to understand your goals and objectives, risk tolerance and any of your immediate financial needs. Sandra will work with you to craft a financial plan, which will serve as a roadmap for your future. The plan will be continuously updated as your life changes. Sandra's planning process is outlined below.
Discovery
Before building your financial plan, your current assets, liabilities, insurance, goals and concerns will be discussed. This phase of the process will be your opportunity to explain the things that are most important to you while also identifying areas where you would like to improve or learn more. Your savings and spending habits will be discussed as well as the vehicles you are using to help grow and preserve your wealth.
Analysis
Following discovery, Sandra will review the information you have shared and begin to build your financial plan. As part of her analysis, she will compare your current situation to alternative approaches and scenarios. Your portfolio will be “stress tested” to determine whether your overall asset allocation is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance. If there are any areas (e.g. – insurance, executive compensation, lending, etc.) where you have asked for additional analysis, Sandra will work with her team and any relevant resources to provide further review.
Review
Once the analysis is completed, your financial plan will be reviewed with Sandra. She will explain the results and make suggestions, where appropriate, striving to improve your results. You will be provided a copy of your financial plan for your records. If you agree with the recommendations made, the next step will be to implement the recommendations. Sandra will bring in her team and dedicated professionals, as needed.
Monitoring
It is suggested that your financial plan be reviewed on an annual basis. Your financial plan should also be revisited any time you consider a major change (e.g. – moving, buying property, job changes, etc.). By its nature, planning is ongoing and should serve as a guide for your investments, savings and future.
Whether you are mediating, litigating or filing a pro se divorce, it can be helpful to have a financial advocate on your side. Sandra obtained her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation to be able to assist clients who are going through divorce or who are considering divorce. She can also help to evaluate your assets and liabilities prior to getting married. Additionally, Sandra has helped many clients post-divorce to begin anew.
Information Gathering
Each state has its own requirements as to completing forms and providing data. It is important to detail a list of your assets and liabilities in an organized format so that negotiations can begin. Sandra can work with you to organize your information so that you can potentially save time and money during your divorce.
Budgeting and Cash Flow Analysis
States vary in how they determine alimony and child support. Analysis of your budget and cash flow are crucial information to provide during your divorce. You can work together with Sandra as she helps make sure that the information you are providing is comprehensive and accurate.
Asset Protection Strategies
It may be appropriate to evaluate insurance during your divorce. Sandra can work with you to help you understand existing policies as well as new policies that may be needed to protect assets and income after a divorce.
Settlement Review
Asset and account types differ, and sometimes “equal” is not equitable. It is important to understand the implications of various settlements and what is being offered. Sandra can provide feedback on your options.
Attorney & Mediator Communications
It is recommended that you work with an attorney or mediator during your divorce. Sandra can collaborate with your attorney to provide information that can be helpful or timely, and they can work together to help make your life easier during this challenging time.
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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.
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.
Asset Allocation
Having a diversified portfolio is one of the keys to helping weather volatile markets and presserve your accounts from concentration and inflation risk. Sandra works with you to help make sure your asset allocation aligns with your risk appetite.
Tax Considerations
Tax-loss harvesting can greatly reduce your tax liability on any given year. Working with Sandra, you'll have several options for harvesting losses in your accounts, when possible and appropriate.
Sandra will help to make sure you're taking full advantage of tax-deferred, tax-free and tax-advantaged accounts.
From an estate planning perspective, Sandra can speak with you about different strategies to help minimize estate taxes.
Tax-loss harvesting. IRS rules stipulate that if a security is sold by an investor at a tax loss, the tax loss will not be currently usable if the investor has acquired (or has entered into a contract or option on) the same or substantially identical securities 30 days before or after the sale that generated the loss. This so-called “wash sale” rule is applied with respect to all of the investor’s transactions across all accounts.
Sandra will help to make sure you're taking full advantage of tax-deferred, tax-free and tax-advantaged accounts.
From an estate planning perspective, Sandra can speak with you about different strategies to help minimize estate taxes.
Tax-loss harvesting. IRS rules stipulate that if a security is sold by an investor at a tax loss, the tax loss will not be currently usable if the investor has acquired (or has entered into a contract or option on) the same or substantially identical securities 30 days before or after the sale that generated the loss. This so-called “wash sale” rule is applied with respect to all of the investor’s transactions across all accounts.
Alternative Investments
Morgan Stanley has a wide offering of alternative investment options for diversifying your portfolio. If you qualify, Sandra can help you to consider investments that could make sense for you.
As a Certified Financial Planner®, Sandra is equipped to work with your estate planning attorneys and CPA to ensure you have a thoughtful estate plan. There are many vehicles and strategies to consider that can help preserve your assets, minimize estate taxes and transfer wealth during your lifetime. Please inquire with Sandra and her team to discuss your specific situation.
Location
55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 603-6213(212) 603-6213
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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Financial Wellness
Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Sandra Gabay today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
1Morgan 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2When 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.
3Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
4Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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.
8Morgan 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
9Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
10Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
1Morgan 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2When 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.
3Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
4Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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.
8Morgan 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
9Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
10Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
