Our Story and Services

We believe that comprehensive wealth management goes well beyond choosing investments. This process is about designing your life and legacy, and it is deeply personal, emotional, and complex. Our mission is simple: Listen first, and then partner with you to create and implement a financial strategy that allows you to live your ideal life and leave the legacy that you desire. We recognize that your vision will change over time and view financial planning as a process - not a one-time deliverable.

Our multi-generational female-led team represents many different ages and stages of life, making us uniquely qualified to help you navigate all of life’s important milestones. From the birth of your first child or grandchild to caring for aging parents, purchasing your first home, preparing for retirement, or sending a loved one off to college for the first time, we are experiencing these important milestones alongside you and learning firsthand the unique financial and emotional challenges that accompany these events. We are committed to standing by your side to help you make rational and informed decisions and hold you accountable to your stated goals and objectives, through all the ups and downs you will face on your unpredictable journey through life.

A central element of our process is education. We believe education is critical, because you will never feel confident in your plan if you do not understand it. We pride ourselves in our ability to explain financial topics in a way that anyone can comprehend and believe that our focus on empowering clients through education is a key differentiator in an industry that often causes outsiders to feel confused, embarrassed, and overwhelmed.

We recognize the significant importance of the work that we do in helping you design the life that you desire and promise to work tirelessly to earn and maintain your trust throughout this process. Leveraging more than 4 decades of combined tenure at Morgan Stanley, and the vast global resources of our Firm, we deliver a deeply personal, high-touch customer experience combined with a modern, sophisticated, technology-driven team approach.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WORKING WITH YOU

Our practice emphasizes personal client service combined with long-term financial planning. We focus on understanding your goals and values — where you want to go in life, and what you want to achieve – and using this information to develop your investment strategy. Unlike many advisors who leave much of the financial management to either a corporate team or digital platform, we personally customize and manage our clients' investment solutions in-house.

Our process begins with a conversation to learn more about you and understand your goals and priorities. From there, we use a variety of tools to identify appropriate solutions and recommendations, which are then presented to you in the form of a plan. We work together to adjust the plan and ensure the strategy is aligned to achieve your goals. We then set up a regular cadence to meet with you to track performance towards your goals, discuss any changes in your life, and update our strategies as needed.

When you work with us, you can expect:

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    Clear and Transparent Communication
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    Thoughtful and Unbiased Recommendations
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    Comprehensive Financial Planning
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    Precise and Efficient Implementation
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    Continuous Monitoring
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    First Class "High Touch" Customer Service
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    Access to the Full Breadth of Morgan Stanley's Products and Services

OUR FINANCIAL PLANNING PILLARS

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    Retirement Planning

    With an understanding of both sides of the balance sheet, as well as your lifestyle and goals, we create interactive financial plans that allow us to account for every aspect of your financial life leading up to and through retirement. By monitoring and updating this plan throughout your life, we help ensure that you have the income and resources to live out the lifestyle you envision, while accounting for the unexpected.

    Read More About Retirement Planning Here
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    Tax Planning & Advice

    Tax-Efficient Investment Management can have a significant impact on after-tax returns, particularly for clients in the top tax brackets. Which this in mind, along with actively tax managed portfolios that tax-loss harvest on a regular basis, we have numerous strategies available to clients to minimize taxes when dealing with highly appreciated stock. We will often work in conjuncture with your CPA (and can refer one if needed), to ensure a cohesive tax management strategy.

    Read the 2025 Tax Table Here
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    Estate Planning

    While wealth accumulation and preservation are vital facets of our financial lives, planning for the legacy we leave behind is just as important. Whether you plan to pass wealth to your heirs, foundations, or charities, we work together with you and your estate attorneys to ensure that your wishes are met in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

    Read More on Estate Planning Here
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    Portfolio Management

    While there are certain key tenants of investing that tend to lead to success, we firmly believe that great investment management cannot have a cookie-cutter approach. We know that no two clients are the same, and so every portfolio is custom, purpose-built to fit your individual investment style, preferences, goals and desires. Like your financial plan, our portfolios are actively monitored and adjusted to change not just according to the markets, but your life and evolving needs.

    Read More About Portfolio Management Here
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    Trust Planning

    Trust Planning can be a complicated process. While you cannot take it with you, a trust can help define how you want your life's work and wealth to continue to benefit the people and causes you love and care for. We will work with you to help build, protect, and pass on a legacy you would be proud of.

    Read More About Trusts Here
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    Alternative Investments

    Our leading alternatives platform offers 160+ third-party and proprietary funds, including first look and exclusive opportunities, that may help qualified investors enhance returns, reduce volatility, manage taxes and generate income—while maintaining a goals-based approach for asset allocation.

    Read More About Alternative Investments Here

DIGITAL TOOLS

Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Below are a few of the platforms that we offer our clients.

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    Morgan Stanley Online

    Seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.

    Learn more about MSO
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    Total Wealth View

    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.

    Learn more about Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault

    Digital Vault lets you easily manage and share your important documents, such as wills, deeds and estate plans, as well as financial statements and tax filings. All files are scanned for viruses and malware and are encrypted while transferred and stored. Access is limited to you and anyone you designate.

    Learn more about our digital tools and security measures
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    Reserved Living & Giving

    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards Morgan Stanley's most valued clients. Members can enjoy special discounts and timely insights to support them at home and beyond.

    Learn more about our Reserved Living & Giving offers

RESOURCES

Here at Morgan Stanley, we provide our clients with resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content. The links below offer insight into the modern market and economic landscape.

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    On the Markets Monthly Research Report

    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.

    Read the Latest Report Here
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    GIC Weekly Report

    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.

    Read Here
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    Thoughts on the Market Podcast

    Short, thoughtful and regular takes on recent events in the markets from a variety of perspectives and voices within Morgan Stanley.

    Listen Here
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    Wealth Management Audiocast

    Check out our recent market update audiocasts, including the latest from Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer: Lisa Shalett.

    Listen Here

Location

2000 Westchester Ave 1nc
Purchase, NY 10577
US
Direct:
(914) 225-1109(914) 225-1109

Meet The Aster Group

About Lauren Gillooly Kemp

Lauren is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with the Aster Group at Morgan Stanley. She holds the Charter Advisor in Philanthropy designation, the lending specialist designation and she is in the process of completing her Chartered Divorce Financial Analyst designation.

Lauren began her career at Morgan Stanley in corporate headquarters where she oversaw key initiatives focused on digital strategy, expense management, and top line revenue growth. Through this experience, she developed an intimate understanding of the wide range of products, services, and resources that Morgan Stanley offers to help clients achieve their goals.

Prior to working at Morgan Stanley, Lauren was selected from approximately 48,000 applicants nationwide to serve in the highly acclaimed Teach For America service corps. Through this program, she committed to teach for 2 years in a poor rural region to help close the educational achievement gap. After two years of teaching 7th and 8th Grade Math and Science in the Mississippi Delta, she left the classroom and joined the Teach For America National Admissions team where she focused on recruiting, training, and developing teachers.

Lauren graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Boston College with an honors B.A. in International Politics & Economics. She was a recruited member of the #1 nationally ranked Boston College Varsity Sailing team and received First Team All-American honors for her role in the team's National titles. Since college, she has represented the New York Yacht Club in team racing events and competed in numerous national and international regattas.

Lauren currently serves on the Associate Board of Directors for the Covenant House and the Membership Committee for New York Yacht Club. She resides in New Canaan, CT with her husband Jamie, stepdaughter Penny, and daughter Pippa.
Securities Agent: AK, GA, PA, NH, CA, ME, VA, MI, MA, IN, NC, SC, NY, CT, WA, CO, IL, FL, OR, VT, NJ, DE; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1578888

About Cassie Obzud

Cassie Obzud is a Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist with the Aster Group at Morgan Stanley. She focuses on creating custom financial solutions for families, individuals, and business owners that reflect their unique goals and values.

Cassie joined Morgan Stanley in 2017, where she held various roles within the business management and strategy division of wealth management. In these roles she gained insight into and experience with the firms’ full suite of industry leading client solutions. Cassie has a dedicated approach of leveraging these resources for her clients in her current role as a Financial Advisor.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Cassie attended Lehigh University where she earned her B.A. degree in Business and Economics.

Cassie grew up and currently resides in Bedford, New York. When not in the office, she enjoys playing golf, cooking, and traveling.
Securities Agent: ME, CO, MA, PA, FL, CT, SC, CA, WA, VT, VA, OR, NH, IN, GA, DE, IL, NY, NC, MI, AK, NJ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2528117

About Pamela L Lowell

Pamela Lowell started her career in the financial services industry with The Consulting Group, the advisory services division of Shearson Lehman Brothers as a new account associate specializing in retail and institutional account opening in 1993. Over the years, she has held several positions within the advisory division, client service and billing associate, as well as a database analyst. In her role as a database analyst, she was the recipient of the inaugural Analyst Ally award for outstanding service in her first year on the job.

Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, Pam is responsible team’s day-to-day operations, client service, and Financial Advisor support. Pam is involved in onboarding new clients; identifies and communicates with many internal departments; and provides guidance to both clients and Financial Advisors when operational and procedural questions arise.

Pam graduated from Penn State University in 1992 with a B.S. Economics. She has her Series 7 and 66 licenses. Outside the office, she spends her time with her husband, David and her twin children. Through her husband, she is involved with a local community theater group, managing things mostly backstage but on occasion has been on the stage performing.
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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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 The Aster Group today.
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.
Morgan 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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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.

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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 and other legal matters.

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4Morgan 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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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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6Morgan 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

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7Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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

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

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)