The McKenna Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

Sean is a Managing Director and founder of McKenna Wealth Management Group. A second-generational advisor, he began his career at Morgan Stanley in 1992 after earning a Business degree, with an emphasis in Finance, from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. Sean strives to provide every client with a “high touch” personalized experience founded on old school principles of trust, deep relationships and accessibility.

Sean provides long-term vision for our team. As a Senior Portfolio Management Director, he is also responsible for investment selection and managing portfolios for a broad range of client goals, needs and circumstances. He enjoys following and understanding the world of complex, ever-changing economic news and explaining it to clients in a concise, simple and easy-to-understand way. He stresses the importance of ignoring the noise that can easily distract clients or lead to emotional investing.

Sean is a lifelong resident of Danville, CA. He and his wife, Kelly, have three grown children. He is a current Board member of Wilderness History and Open Access (WHOA) and often participates in the Save Mount Diablo events. Away from the office, Sean loves all things outdoors – from gardening and hiking to skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking.

2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2024) 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2024. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/22–3/31/23.

Dan joined The McKenna Group in 2009. He is an experienced Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP^®) and Family Wealth Director, a credential earned by less than three percent of all financial advisors at Morgan Stanley. He earned an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of California at San Diego then went onto earn his Master’s degree in Human Biodynamics from the University of California at Berkeley.

With an emphasis on financial planning, insurance protection strategies, liability management and stock-based compensation, Dan enjoys creating a detailed plan to help clients achieve their goals. He works hard to take the complexity out of people’s lives so they can make clear and purposeful decisions. One of his favorite parts of the job is helping clients transition from their working years to retirement. This includes developing an income stream that meets their needs without any change to their current lifestyle.

Dan and his wife, Gwen, currently live in Lafayette with their four children. He loves exercise and being outside. He combines these passions in a variety of activities that include cycling, running and adventuring racing. Dan is also very active in his kids’ lives, serving as coach for many of their sports teams.

2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2024) 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2024. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/22–3/31/23.

Jen works closely with successful individuals and generational families, solving their financial challenges and making complex topics easy to understand. She graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a degree in Economics and minor in Spanish and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. Jen began her career in 2002, working side-by-side with her father, Paul Sanderson, at Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley) for 18 years before joining with the McKenna Group in early 2020. Jen has recently been recognized as a Forbes 2025 Best-In-State Top Women Wealth Advisor for her consistent excellence in her work. She is regularly recognized as a top advisor by Forbes and Working Mother Magazine and has designations as a Financial Planning and Lending Specialist.

With experience in all areas of wealth management, Jen combines out-of-the-box thinking with modern technology to resolve complicated client situations. Her experience as a working mom provides deep understanding of the balance between work life and family life. Using firsthand experience, she guides families in making critical financial choices – from buying a home and saving for their children’s education to planning for retirement, buying life insurance and working with an attorney to set up a trust. Jen loves simplifying clients’ financial lives, helping them achieve their goals and enjoy what matters.

Jen lives in Alamo with her husband, Ron, and their three kids and dog. She is an active supporter of John Muir Hospital and a former board member of the JFK University’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Jen has many passions that include traveling, exploring new places and cultures, teaching her kids about music and cheering on the UCLA sports teams.

2024, 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024, 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2023, 2024, 2025 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024, 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2019-2020 Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research's Top Wealth Advisor Moms
Source: Workingmother.com Awarded October 2019 and 2020. Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was given.

2017-2019 Forbes' Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded June 2017) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/2016 – 3/31/2017.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded June 2018) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/17 - 3/31/18.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2019) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/17 - 6/30/18.

Shams is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley and joined the McKenna Wealth Management Group in 2023. He began his career at Smith Barney in 1999 and after eight years moved to Raymond James, where he spent the next 16 years. Shams is experienced in all aspects of wealth management. He focuses on helping clients with important stock-based compensation decisions, and is able to leverage his experience and knowledge as an Alternative Investment Director with Morgan Stanley’s vast resources when integrating alternatives into client portfolios.

Shams is an educator at heart and thrives when explaining complicated concepts in an interesting and easy to understand manner. He has enjoyed the opportunity to lead educational seminars covering stock-based compensation for multiple Fortune 500 companies. Shams recognizes that often the largest financial pitfalls for clients are not investing decisions, but rather planning mistakes. Having attained the designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) many years ago, Shams uses his deep knowledge of planning and two decades of experience to guide clients to successful outcomes.

Shams graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of California at Santa Cruz with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and currently lives with his two children in Whitefish, Montana. He is passionate about the outdoors and is an avid backcountry skier, mountain biker, wake-surfer and traveler. He joins his son on the ski and bike trails and is a dedicated horse father to his daughter.

Molly grew up in the financial industry and became a Financial Advisor in 2017, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®) professional she focuses on financial planning and prides herself in being a good listener. Molly is a graduate of the University of Colorado – Boulder, earning a B.S. degree in Finance and Marketing. She believes successful people all share a common bond: They encounter important life events that require timely guidance to help them make the right financial decisions for themselves, their careers and their families. She is there to help them each step of the way.

Molly focuses creating long-lasting relationships with our next generation of clients. She leverages her years of family knowledge, her skills in modern technology and her forward-thinking creative ideas to help clients solve their financial needs. Molly finds it very rewarding to design financial strategies for help families buy new homes, save for college, and plan for retirement.

A California native, Molly now lives in San Francisco. Her favorite leisure activities including skiing, yoga, hiking, traveling and creating great memories with family and friends.

Kellen is a Financial Advisor with the McKenna Wealth Management Group. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz and his M.B.A. from California State in Monterey Bay. An advisor since 2015 he worked alongside his father-in-law, Bill Williford, until 2019 when they joined forces with the McKenna Group.

Kellen’s primary responsibilities include investment selection and relationship management. He combines our team’s years of investment experience with today’s modern forms of media to stay updated on world events and identify new investment ideas. Kellen is a great listener and will quickly assist anyone on our team when needed. He believes that getting the small things right makes a big difference.

Outside of work Kellen enjoys playing tennis, golfing – traditional and disc – and riding through the East Bay hills on his motorcycle, “Lou”. Originally from Grass Valley, Kellen and his wife, Briana, and children, Skylar and Brady, currently live in Lafayette, CA.

Shanna is a Financial Advisor and Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® professional with the McKenna Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining the group in 2022, Shanna spent nine years as a Private Banker at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, where she focused on finding creative solutions for clients’ lending and cash management needs. Shanna has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, focused on helping high net worth clients plan, invest, and manage liabilities to achieve what matters most to them.

Shanna graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While born and raised in Illinois, Shanna has called the Bay Area home for the last 16 years. She and her husband Steve live in the East Bay, and spend their weekends in the Napa Valley. They enjoy cycling, boating, and attending Bay Area sporting events. Shanna spends time volunteering and supporting national and local organizations, including The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

John Zimmermann is a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®) with the McKenna Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. He received his bachelor’s degree from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, where he double majored in Psychology, and Spanish, with a minor in Organizational Behavior.

John has over a half-decade of industry experience at Morgan Stanley, working in multiple capacities from operations to client services, and, later, as a wealth management analyst. He now uses his knowledge and experience to help clients identify their financial goals and develop personalized strategies to meet them.

John is known on the team as a “Jack of all trades” when it comes to helping clients answer even the most complex financial questions. Whether it be buying a home, sending kids to college, strategies around equity compensation, or saving for retirement, John believes that the cornerstone of reaching any goal is having a plan.

Born and raised in Minnesota, John now calls Martinez, California, his home, where he lives with his wife Megan, their son Eli. John loves all types of outdoor adventures from ultra-marathons and alpine skiing, to sailing in different parts of the world. It isn’t uncommon to find him skiing in Tahoe on Saturday, then sailing in the bay on Sunday!

Chloe is a third-generation Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist with the McKenna Wealth Management Group. She joined the McKenna Team in 2023 after graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder where she received her degree in Finance and Marketing with a minor in Sociology.

Chloe is passionate about helping the next generation create and meet their financial goals. Growing up around a family of Financial Advisors has taught her the importance of investing and planning ahead for life events. Chloe prides herself on being disciplined, hardworking, and a little competitive. As the newest team member, she has the time and energy to focus on clients' needs.

Chloe is thrilled to be following in the footsteps of her family at the McKenna Wealth Management Group, where her father, Sean McKenna, and older sister, Molly McKenna serve as mentors and role models. A native of the East Bay, Chloe recently moved to San Francisco where she enjoys the outdoors and an active lifestyle, and greatly values her time spent with family and close friends.

Traci has been with Morgan Stanley for more than 20 years. As Group Director, she understands all elements of our operation and provides a great resource for families as they transition wealth from generation to generation.

Traci is a graduate of California State University at Hayward, where she earned her B.S. degree in Business Advertising.

Among her many responsibilities, Traci is our point person for all estate work. As this is a primary area of focus for our practice, her work is critical to the families we support. Traci makes setting up and managing a family estate and any related trusts easy, and works closely with all members of the family, as well as the family attorney and accountant when a loved one passes away. Her years of experience enable her to take something that is complicated and emotional and make it simple and straightforward.

Growing up in Redding, Traci now lives in Piedmont with her husband, Nabin, and two sons, Arian and Milan. An exercise enthusiast, she loves to run, swim and go on long walks. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and exploring new restaurants.

Yvonne brings more than 40 years of financial services experience to our team. As a Wealth Management Associate and lead operations manager in our Walnut Creek office, she is essential to helping enhance the client experience. Yvonne’s extensive knowledge of the firm’s administrative functions and operations allows her to quickly align the correct resources, providing clients with the highest level of service.

Yvonne began her career in 1979 at Foster & Marshall, a boutique investment firm that later became part of Morgan Stanley. Over the years, she has worked in almost every position of a retail branch office, including Operations Manager, Branch Administrator and Financial Advisor. This broad set of experiences enables her to understand how each component of the wealth management process fits together, providing her with deep insights that she readily shares. Yvonne enjoys solving problems for clients and watching their families mature and succeed. She has consistently worked with Jen for over 10 years.

Yvonne holds her FINRA Series 7, 8, 63 and 65 licenses.

A native of California, Yvonne grew up in Bend, Oregon and now lives in Danville with her husband, Grant, and their son, Jaden. Spending time with family and friends is what gives Yvonne great joy. An avid reader, she enjoys fiction books, especially mysteries. She also likes to visit local wineries and travel every chance she gets.

Drawing on more than 13 years of industry experience, Ricky is a Wealth Management Associate for McKenna Wealth Management. He holds an M.B.A. in Corporate Finance from the University of Dallas and a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He joined our team in 2019 after working in several operational and client service roles at BOFA Prime Brokerage and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Ricky’s responsibilities focus on helping clients set up new accounts and roll over existing assets when they change jobs or retire. He works with clients from the beginning to the end of the transfer process, making sure they have online access and understand what they own. Ricky enjoys helping clients simplify their complex lives. He is a consummate professional, paying attention to every detail. Above all, he has the unique ability to have fun while doing follow-up work, ensuring every project is done efficiently.

Outside of the office, Ricky enjoys being the play-by-play announcer for his alma mater’s high school football team in San Francisco. He also enjoys playing piano and guitar and tinkering with his 1963 Volkswagen bus. Ricky and his wife, Denise, and two daughters now reside in Alameda, CA.

Cara joined the Mckenna team in 2023 and has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2007. Cara works to create an outstanding overall client service experience and is responsible for providing ongoing administrative and operational support in a timely, efficient manner. She also assists with all aspects of daily financial management, including preparing financial reports and planning, and reallocation.

A Chicago native, Cara grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and received her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband Tony, and three children. Outside of the office, Cara enjoys anything fitness-related, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Steve began his career with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in March of 2000 before spending 10 years working at Wells Fargo Advisors. Steve has a wealth of expertise with wealth management operations and administrative duties. In his 22 years of industry experience across multiple firms, Steve has become well versed in money movement, performance reporting, retirement plan rollovers, estate account management, securities-backed lending; as well as security trading in equities, ETFs, mutual funds, and municipal and revenue bond allocation to name a few.

After graduating high school, Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Travis AFB, in Fairfield CA; discharged with honors in 1998. Steve received a bachelor’s degree in Communication from San Francisco State University before acquiring his FINRA series 7, 63, and 65 Licenses.

Outside of work Steve enjoys spending time with his family, raising his two young children with his wife Lisa. In his free time Steve enjoys many sports, particularly baseball. He competes in an Orinda softball league, manages his son’s little league team, and occasionally golfs. Steve also enjoys going on date nights, spending time outdoors, wine country, and music festivals.

Tammi is a Senior Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley with over 30 years’ experience with the firm. She joined the McKenna Team in 2022 focusing on coordinating events. She assists with all client and team events, including data processing, analytics, and marketing efforts. Tammi has held many positions within management at Morgan Stanley, including Operations Manager, Complex Administrator, and Branch Administrator. She has also worked on the operational side of the business as a Branch Liaison Representative and Client Service Associate. She holds a series 7 license.

Tammi is a Bay Area native and currently resides in Hercules. She has two sons, John and Joshua, and three grandchildren, Jayvin, Jonah, and Brooke. In her free time, Tammi loves to read a great novel or biography. She enjoys spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings.