


Our Mission Statement
Our Story and Services
Together, we can help manage your organization’s investment portfolio, or review your investment policy statement, and on an individual basis, we can help you plan for a comfortable retirement, or leave behind a meaningful legacy to your loved ones.
Our goal is to help make your wealth work for you through all types of market conditions, working to further your mission over the long-term.
Our philosophy

and we will help you stay on task to achieve your mission.
Email us at 801group@morganstanley.com
Our philosophy

Educational Events
FOUNDATION & ENDOWMENT FIDUCIARY SYMPOSIUM
The Fiduciary Symposium is an educational meeting designed for officers, directors, trustees, board and investment committee members and others that service in a fiduciary capacity for a foundation or endowment.
Each year the sessions will help sharpen your skills and level of preparedness to make valued contributions to the organization you serve. During the event we encourage conversation and debate while providing an opportunity to network with peers from across the Midwest. Ultimately, our goal is to share ideas and best practices to make us all better stewards of the charitable assets we play a role in overseeing.
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025 we will be at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Please see full agenda below.
Email us at 801group@morganstanley.com to RSVP today.
Our team is excited to expand our educational content with more opportunities to explore alternative investments. This October, we will be hosting a discussion focused on 1031 exchanges.
If you are interested in learning more or want to join the conversaation, please reach out to our team.
Location
Meet The 801 Group
About John C Auer
As a founding member of The 801 Group at Morgan Stanley, I bring more than 30 years of financial services experience to every client I advise. My clients include high net worth individuals and their families, as well as foundations, endowments, and other nonprofit institutions. Individual clients look to me for guidance that includes their investments, but goes far beyond to encompass estate planning strategies, risk management and other aspects of their financial lives. Nonprofits seek my advice to help them refine both their spending and investment policies and implement those policies with investment strategies designed to meet their obligations, enhance their cash flow, and grow their capital over time.
What Makes Me Knowledgeable:
I began my career at a Chicago based investment banking firm that specialized in lending for mergers & acquisitions. This experience allowed me to learn from the successes and failures of corporate executives in a wide variety of manufacturing and service industries all around the country. I gained tremendous respect for entrepreneurs who pursue their passion and appreciation for the role finance and risk-taking play on the road to success. As a Financial Advisor, I’ve strived to be a lifetime learner since graduating from University of Iowa with a degree in Finance and Marketing. I am one of the relatively few Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors to have earned the firm’s Family Wealth Director designation. I am also a Certified Investment Management Analyst®, having earned that credential from the Wharton School of Business and the Investment & Wealth Institute. I am honored to be named one of Forbes Magazine’s Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2025, along with our team who has made the list for 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor Teams1.
Getting To Know Me:
I grew up in Iowa City and have always been an active member of my community. I’m proud to serve on the Board of Ambassadors for Coaches vs. Cancer, an organization founded by Division 1 basketball coaches and dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. In addition, I sit on the Board of Directors at Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Professionally, I am a member of Morgan Stanley’s Association of Professional Investment Consultants. My experience in the nonprofit arena has compelled me to initiate a series of symposiums for nonprofit leaders that focus on industry trends and best practices. Outside the office, I love spending time with my friends and family in Clear Lake.
1-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award. 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. Source: Forbes.com (Awarded January 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC. Data as of 3/31/2024
NMLS#: 1288403
About Ashley E Shafer
Clients rely on me to help them retire as planned, leave a meaningful legacy, and achieve other critical financial goals. Many of my clients are women seeking to take greater control of their financial lives. I also bring considerable experience working with nonprofit organizations, foundations, endowments, and other institutional clients. Specifically, I counsel executive leadership teams and boards in such varied disciplines as governance, asset allocation, investment and spending policy reviews and compliance with industry best practices and regulations.
What Makes Me Knowledgeable:
I began my career at The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines where I served as Director of Affiliates and Philanthropic Partners working with donors, attorneys, CPAs and Financial Advisors. There I realized that I could add value by earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERtm and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designations. Once I became a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor in 2012, I found that this decision helped me greatly in meeting the challenges faced by both institutional and individual clients. In addition, I am one of the relatively few Financial Advisors in the firm to have earned the firm’s Family Wealth Director designation. This credential has proven invaluable in helping me provide high net-worth clients with solutions to even their most complex financial challenges. I am honored to be named one of Forbes Magazine’s Top Women Wealth Advisors 2025 and Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2025 and am proud that our team has made the list for 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor Teams1.
Getting To Know Me:
I’m a native Iowan who returned home after working in New York in the fashion industry and graduating from Lake Forest College with a double major in Business and Studio Art. I still love painting and interior design, but much of my time is spent with my husband, Mike, daughter, Scarlet, and participating in philanthropic pursuits. I serve on the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ Professional Advisor Council and board of the Mid Iowa Health Foundation, support the Alzheimer’s Association and volunteer with the Iowa State Fair Foundation.
12025 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
NMLS#: 1265214
About Jacob B Jaacks
I have more than 10 years of experience providing tailored investment solutions and customized institutional advice to nonprofit organizations, foundations and endowments. I also bring this institutional process and experience to a select group of successful individual and families.
In addition, I play a major role with portfolio construction, spending analysis and oversight for clients’ investment strategies. I am a voting member of The 801 Group at Morgan Stanley’s investment committee and as an Alternative Investments Director at Morgan Stanley, I oversee our team’s Alternative Investment manager research.
What Makes Me Knowledgeable:
Throughout my financial services career, I’ve made a conscious effort to broaden and deepen the knowledge I bring to my clients. As a Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst (CAIA ®), a Senior Institutional Consultant (SIC), and Morgan Stanley-credentialed Alternative Investments Director, I am required to demonstrate competence at the highest level in non-traditional asset fundamentals, this includes quantitative analysis, valuation, and investment theory. I am also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), a credential that is recognized as the standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. Additionally, I serve as a committee member of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC), and our team has once again been named one of Forbes Magazine’s 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor Teams.1
Getting To Know Me:
I grew up in Iowa and graduated from The University of Iowa where I was captain of the men’s basketball team. After college, I played professionally in the NBA and European leagues for eleven years. My second career at Morgan Stanley has proven to be equally – and perhaps even more – fulfilling. I’m helping worthy organizations meet their financial challenges and fulfill their missions. Outside the office, I’m involved in the nonprofit community and have served on various nonprofit boards and executive committees. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Swarm NIL Collective and reside in West Des Moines with my wife and three children.
Source: Forbes (Awarded January 2025). 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 3/31/23–3/31/24. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.
NMLS#: 1447644
About Matthew Probst
I help my clients create a customized financial plan that serves as a guide for their investment decisions. After defining their long-term objectives, liquidity needs, and time horizons, I leverage the firm’s investment tools and planning software to develop wealth management strategies designed to align with their goals. My consultative process also includes addressing my client’s other needs, such as education savings, retirement income planning, tax management strategies, estate and legacy planning, cash management and lending solutions, and more.
In addition, I provide guidance to nonprofit organizations on financial modeling and analytics while helping to educate around board best practices, and evolving industry trends. I appreciate having access to Morgan Stanley’s broad platform of industry-leading resources. This allows me to identify and implement solutions that I believe are best suited to each client’s unique situation.
What makes me knowledgeable:
I have always had a passion for anything related to finance. At the University of Northern Iowa, I majored in accounting and financial management and subsequently took a position with IBM, where I focused on internal expense forecasting. I was later selected to work in IBM’s treasury department at its corporate headquarters in New York, where I handled diverse responsibilities such as liquidity management and currency hedging. Although these experiences enhanced my professional and personal growth, I realized that Iowa was home, and when Meredith Corporation asked me to serve as Business Manager for Family Circle and Parents magazines, I leaped at the chance. After several years there, I transitioned to Morgan Stanley, where I worked as an analyst and was honored in 2024 with the Association of Professional Investment Consultants’ Pat Nicholson Award for outstanding service and accomplishments as a technical analyst. I then moved into the role of Financial Advisor, and I find it very rewarding to have the opportunity to meet regularly with clients and see the results of the planning work we do together. My years as an analyst have given me extensive knowledge of investment solutions, which I rely on today to help clients design their portfolios, and I have further grown my capabilities by becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
Getting to know me:
I live in Clive with my wife, Anna, and our daughter, Olivia, and we enjoy golfing, biking and going to parks together as a family. Over the years, I’ve given back to my community by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. When I’m not working, I spend time serving on the Programming Committee for the CFA Society of Iowa.
NMLS#: 2681664
About Kasie Beck
I help The 801 Group at Morgan Stanley strive to deliver exceptional client service by seeking ways to optimize daily operations and create processes that can help address clients’ needs quickly and efficiently. I oversee the onboarding experience for new clients, helping ensure a smooth and seamless experience and manage our client service model. I am dedicated to helping our Concierge Team navigate potential challenges, streamline operations and look for smarter strategies. I assist the financial advisors in overseeing team initiatives designed to help drive business growth, always looking for ways to elevate performance and foster innovation. Above all, I strive to build a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed. My approach to client service is simple: it’s about building trust, keeping communication open, and always striving to deliver real value. I truly believe that when you understand and anticipate client needs, you can create lasting relationships.
What makes me knowledgeable:
I have spent my entire career at Morgan Stanley, working as a Portfolio Associate for nine years and a Business Service Officer for three years. This experience has helped me grow as a manager, providing a deep understanding to assist teams and deliver an exceptional client service experience. I also hold the Series 7, 66, 9, and 10 industry licenses, as well as a B.S. in accounting from Western Governors University.
Getting to know me:
I live in Urbandale with my husband, Dan, and our two sons, Jayce and Calyn. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, playing tennis, solving puzzles, and cheering on my son at his baseball games. I am also actively involved in the Dream Team at our church, where I contribute my time and energy to supporting our community.
About Trey Cook
As a Wealth Management Associate with The 801 Group at Morgan Stanley, I play a critical role in the financial planning process and client review scheduling. With a strong understanding of the information needed to help maximize the value of our financial plans, I assist the financial advisor with actionable recommendations that align with the client’s long-term goals. Additionally, I help institutional clients develop investment policies, stress-test their portfolios while evaluating spending policies. I also work with our analyst to research various mutual funds and external investment management organizations to help ensure we recommend appropriate options for our client’s portfolios. As the primary point of contact for insurance policies, I support the review process to help ensure comprehensive coverage.
What makes me knowledgeable:
I bring over a decade of financial service experience to every client I work with. I started my career at New York Life building a practice centered around mutual funds, annuities, and insurance. Since joining Morgan Stanley in 2016, I have expanded my ability to assist clients with comprehensive financial planning that encompasses not only their portfolios, but virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
Getting to know me:
I’m a graduate of Upper Iowa University where I majored in Biology and minored in Business. During my time at college, I played baseball, which taught me the value of teamwork. Over the years, I’ve given back to my community by coaching Little League and high school baseball, as well as working with Grand Slam USA, a well-known training facility. I also volunteered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, helping raise awareness and funds for an important cause. My wife, Natalie, and I live in West Des Moines, where we enjoy walking our dog, Bo, playing golf and going to movies.
About McKenzie Grantham
In my role, I manage a diverse set of responsibilities that range from content creation to client relations. I play a key role in shaping our marketing strategy to align our messaging and initiatives with our client needs. I create social media content, maintain and update our team website, and oversee the logistics for our client events, including our annual Foundation and Endowment Symposium. Additionally, I handle 529 accounts and coordinate our institutional review cycles, helping to ensure seamless communication between clients, advisors and our team analyst. I am passionate about leveraging Morgan Stanley’s digital tools to help enhance efficiency and empower clients to fully benefit from the firm’s resources. Committed to continuous learning, I actively seek innovative ways to improve workflows and create client-centric solutions. Beyond my core responsibilities, I assist team development by organizing volunteer events to foster a collaborative culture and enhance the team’s collective impact.
What makes me knowledgeable:
I bring over a decade of experience to every client I serve. After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, I began my financial service career at Principal Financial, where I worked as a Client Service Associate. When I joined Morgan Stanley, I brought with me a strong foundation in client service, operations, and marketing expertise.
Getting to know me:
While in college, I interned with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where I developed an understanding of the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. Over the years, I’ve continued to give back to my community by volunteering with organizations like Meals From The Heartland. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors on mini-adventures with my husband and our four kids.
About Jill Lansing
About Cindy Powers
Often, I’m the first person clients talk to when calling our team. If I can’t help them resolve their issues, I will direct them to the team members who can. Throughout my 30 year career, I’ve helped clients transfer assets, gain online access, execute trades and raise cash for unexpected expenses. My goal is to provide clients with solutions and meet their needs as quickly as possible.
What makes me knowledgeable:
I bring more than 30 years of financial industry experience to every client I serve. Before joining a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 1992, I worked in computer technology when that industry was in its infancy. My experience training customers and troubleshooting the issues they faced taught me important lessons about providing clients with prompt and caring service. Throughout my long career, I’ve worked as our branch’s Assistant Operations Manager and as a Client Service Associate. As a result, I know where to go for the answers that clients need and how to help them address their challenges efficiently and effectively.
Getting to know me:
I was born and raised in Iowa and my community means a lot to me. I’m an avid supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness and the Variety Club Compassion Fund. My husband, Dwight, is a retired firefighter and I’ve often lent a hand when his department was sponsoring community events. He and I reside in Ankeny and are the proud parents of a daughter, Megan, and have two grandchildren. We are very active and love to golf whenever we can and travel.

Contact John C Auer

Contact Ashley E Shafer

Contact Jacob B Jaacks

Contact Matthew Probst
Awards and Recognition




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1Morgan 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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