My Story and Services

Providing clients with confidence about their financial futures is the cornerstone on which I’ve built my practice. Whether I’m helping a busy executive develop a comprehensive financial plan or advising successful business owners on how to create a viable exit strategy for themselves and their families, I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve their specific financial goals. My mission is to empower them to make smart financial decisions through education and understanding, so they have the financial freedom to pursue their passions and enjoy the wealth they have created.

I bring a lifetime of experience to my role as a wealth management professional. I earned my Bachelor degree in Finance and Accounting Management from Northeastern University and my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Rutgers University. To this day, I am a strong advocate for ongoing education for myself and my clients and am currently working towards the completion of my Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Life Underwriter® designations.

Throughout my career, I have held a number of important roles within the financial services industry. I have worked in Client Relationship Management and Sales Support and just prior to joining Morgan Stanley, I was an Officer responsible for Life Insurance Sales and Retirement Plan Support for a large insurance broker in New York City. After building a rewarding career that spanned decades in the investment and insurance industries, I decided it was time to pursue my original passion to work in wealth management, with a goal of working at Morgan Stanley.

This goal was realized in 2018 and today, I am privileged to work with a select group of clients. I take great pride in helping them oversee and manage their financial obligations, so they can spend more time pursuing the activities they enjoy, supporting the causes most important to them, taking care of the people they love, and leaving a lasting legacy for themselves and their families
What I Believe
  • I believe money is simply a tool to empower you to live your best life. I work with you to define and articulate your goals, then create a comprehensive financial plan to help you achieve them
  • I believe in personalized service. I recognize every client is different. Some clients expect in-depth explanations of investment concepts, while others prefer working with an advisor with whom they can formulate strategies. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals in a manner that aligns with your expectations of a concierge experience.
  • I believe in creating deep and caring relationships, based on trust and respect. I do this by working with a select group of individuals, families and business owners who value my knowledge and experience in providing comprehensive solutions that go well beyond investments. The bonds I form with my clients are fundamental to my mission, and it is my hope they span generations.
  • I believe you are entitled to the best advice possible. As a result, I often collaborate with colleagues from across the Morgan Stanley network, as well as other professionals within the industry who are considered experts in their field. I also work in tandem with your accountant, attorney, and other trusted advisors to gain the precise knowledge needed to effectively manage all aspects of your wealth.
  • I believe in taking a conservative long-term investment approach. Investment strategy is one of the most critical services I provide. My disciplined process is driven by your unique circumstances, goals, and appetite for risk. I believe in taking a conservative investment approach that reflects long-term growth themes, opportunistic market trends, and a patient commitment to your overall strategy.
  • I believe in you. While I value my relationship with Morgan Stanley as a top purveyor of global financial services for more than 80 years, I value my relationship with you even more. I am committed to developing a relationship that provides special value to you and your family. When you succeed, we all succeed.
Services Include
Securities Agent: TX, CA, UT, VI, SC, OK, OH, IN, TN, PR, MI, MD, FL, DE, CT, IL, PA, NC, MA, NY, RI, WA, NJ, MO, VA, NV, DC, GA, IA, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1760552
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Practice

Growing up, I knew that someday I would be a financial advisor, helping individuals, families and businesses accomplish their goals. On my journey to becoming an advisor, I worked at several financial firms in a number of important service-oriented roles. Each role provided me with new skills and experiences that would enable me to help people manage their finances more effectively.

At each new opportunity, I gave a lot of thought to the types of individuals and families I wanted to help when I ultimately became a financial advisor. I asked myself what are my strengths and who would be best served by my skills and experience.

As a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, I proudly serve a diverse group of clients who face a broad set of financial challenges that often include:

- Managing a life-changing event, such as the sale of a business, the transition to a new job, or a divorce
- Planning for a successful retirement
- Minimizing taxes, while optimizing investment performance
- Preparing the next generation to effectively manage wealth
- Protecting loved ones after you’re gone

The solutions I recommend are carefully coordinated to provide you with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced world. I am here to help you manage and preserve your assets, so you may enjoy your wealth and leave the legacy you desire.
    Education
    - M.B.A., Finance Rutgers University
    - B.S.B.A, Finance & Accounting Management Northeastern University
    Industry Licenses
    - FINRA Series 6 – Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts
    - FINRA Series 7 – General Securities
    - FINRA Series 63 – Investment Company & Variable Contracts Products
    - FINRA Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser Law
    - Life, Accident and Health Broker
    Life, Accident and Health Advisor
    Experience
    - Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (2018 - Present)
    - Assistant Vice President, Alliant Insurance Services (2009 - 2017)
    - Case Design Specialist, AXA Equitable (2006 - 2009)
    Volunteer Activities
    - Forest Hill Community Association, Vice President (2019-Present)
    - City College Center for the Arts, President (2020-2024)

    - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Delta Mu Zeta, Public Relations Chair & Parliamentarian

My Detailed Process

My process begins and ends with listening. I ask questions about your life, your current financial situation, and your experience with investing . . . and then I listen. It’s an ongoing process through which I understand all I can about you, your family, your work, and your dreams for the future.
This disciplined process allows me to put together a comprehensive financial plan that is aligned with your values and goals. It also enables me to help you get your financial house in order and keep it organized over time.
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    Step 1: Learn about You
    - Listen carefully to understand what is important to you, your family, and your legacy
    - Learn about the values that shape your decisions
    - Identify any challenges and circumstances unique to your situation
    Click to view Client Profile Questionnaire - Individual, Joint, Guardian and Custodial
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    Step 2: Analyze Your Finances
    - Review your current and future financial situation to determine the likelihood of reaching your goals
    - Identify any potential shortfalls or the impact of unexpected life events
    - Reach out to your CPA and estate attorney to understand your existing tax and estate plans so we can coordinate our strategies
    Click to view LifeView Questionnaire
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    Step 3: Develop & Present Your Plan
    - Create a custom financial plan specifically for you using proprietary planning and risk analysis tools
    - Present your plan in detail, explaining why I am recommending each strategy
    - Refine your plan accordingly
    - Openly discuss all costs involved
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    Step 4: Implement Your Plan
    - Prioritize activities and establish timelines
    - Initiate paperwork to move your assets to Morgan Stanley
    - Implement each strategy we discussed
    - Keep you updated each step of the way
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    Step 5: Provide Ongoing Service
    - Continue to build our relationship, scheduling ongoing conversations based on a communication strategy that works for you
    - Apply due diligence process to evaluate performance of your plan and investments
    - Recommend adjustments over time to keep you on track towards achieving your goals
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    Financial Planning
    A variety of planning-related tools—including our award-winning Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView—which enable us to provide a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances and adapt a wealth plan to your ever-changing life demands and modify goals as needed.
    Morgan Stanley Goals-Based Wealth Management
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    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
    Learn More
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    Morgan Stanley @ Work
    People are a company’s most valuable asset. And the smartest investment you can make is in your workforce. When employees work at their best, so does your business
    Workplace Financial Solutions
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    Family Office Resources
    Our Mission is to help clients maximize the value of their gamily capital through the transfer and preservation of the family's shared values, and the creation of an enduring family legacy.

    The term “Family Office Resources” is being used as a term of art and not to imply that Morgan Stanley and/or its employees are acting as a family office pursuant to Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
    Watch to Learn More
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    Capital Markets
    An integrated organization across fixed income, equities, and structured investments leveraging the thought leadership of Morgan Stanley Research and dedicated product specialists to identify key investment opportunities to help enhance the growth potential of diversified portfolios.
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
    Register for Morgan Stanley Online Today
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    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
    Get Started Today

Client Service Team

    Carousel Associate Image
    Chris Ann Kavanagh - Senior Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (973) 921-6509(973) 921-6509
    Email:chris.ann.kavanagh@morganstanley.com
    Chris Ann began her financial career in banking operations before taking some time off to raise her family. She returned to the financial services industry in 2016 and joined Morgan Stanley as a Senior Client Associate in 2022.

    Chris Ann is responsible for working closely with clients, creating a smooth onboarding process, assisting with everyday transactions and helping the team with investment implementations. Her objective is to make clients’ experience with Morgan Stanley an enjoyable one as she is focused on making sure that clients always come first.

    Chris Ann is a graduate of the University of Scranton and is working towards completing her Series 7 and 66 licenses. In her spare time, Chris Ann enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Westfield, NJ with her husband and three children.

Location

150 Jfk Parkway
2nd Fl
Short Hills, NJ 07078
US
Direct:
(973) 921-6519(973) 921-6519

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Adam Guralnick

Adam Guralnick is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in New Jersey.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Adam began his career in financial services in 2002, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at UBS. He also served as a UHNW Associate Private Banker at Citi Private Bank and a Merrill Lynch Banking Advisor.

Adam is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Arts in Informatics. He lives in Livingston, New Jersey with his family. Outside of the office, Adam enjoys traveling, sports, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 1114313

About Lucas Cervelli

Lucas Cervelli is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Financial Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, he collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, he will evaluate various options and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Lucas provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

He earned his undergraduate degree from The College of New Jersey and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Lucas is originally from Hunterdon County, New Jersey and currently resides in Lebanon Township, New Jersey.
Wealth Management
From My Desk

Client Profile Questionnaire - Individual, Joint, Guardian and Custodial


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 Tasha García, Pacesetter's Club Since 2020 today.
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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.

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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 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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3Morgan 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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4Morgan 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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5Morgan 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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6When 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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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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8Morgan 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.

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9When 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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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:
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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.

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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.

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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.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)