The Brightleaf Group at Morgan Stanley

A long-time lover of puzzles, I enjoy solving complex problems, breaking them down to their individual parts, and then rebuilding them in a logical fashion to produce a positive result. Similarly, I believe that accomplishing favorable outcomes for our clients depends on paying attention to the small details of their lives. Developing a deep understanding of our clients and what is important to them, enables me to organize the pieces with the goal of helping them and their families live enriched and fulfilling lives.

Having begun my collegiate education studying economics at Mercer University in Atlanta, I transferred to Georgia State University, majoring in finance. After three decades of experience helping clients and their families achieve their financial goals, and extensive study in areas such as family dynamics and governance, philanthropy, wealth transfer, business succession planning, taxation and risk management, I earned Morgan Stanley’s Family Wealth Director certification.

I serve on the Board of Advisors for the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University and on the Board of Advisors for the Program in the Humanities and Human Values at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My wife and I live in Cary, NC. We have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Lori brings experience in the financial services industry since 1991.  She is dedicated to the financial planning aspects of our business, using information gathered from clients to develop effective long term financial planning strategies. A native of Durham, Lori graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1991 with a BS degree in Management Marketing with a minor in Economics.  She joined the Durham office of Morgan Stanley (or a predecessor firm) that same year.

She lives in Raleigh with her youngest daughter. Family plays a major role in Lori’s outside life, juggling her daughters’ tennis, dance and many volunteer activities.

Dave has been married to his wife, Sara, for 39 years.  They are the proud parents of two daughters, Tatum and Megan.  Upon graduating from Davidson College in 1979, Dave joined Morgan Stanley (or a predecessor firm) in Charlotte. 

He moved to Durham in 1989 where, for most of the next 26 years, he served as Branch Manager for that office. In 2015 Dave relinquished the role of Branch Manager in order to devote all of his time and energy to the team and its advisory practice. Community engagement plays an important role in Dave’s life also.  He has served in leadership capacities with Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hope Valley Country Club, NC Museum of Life and Science, Durham Community Shelter for Hope, The Forest at Duke, YMCA, Executive Service Corps, Durham Academy, Davidson College.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Durham. She graduated from the University of Alabama and lived in Birmingham for three years before returning home to be closer to family.

Elizabeth joined Morgan Stanley as a Wealth Advisory Associate which is a role dedicated to financial planning. She worked with Morgan Stanley advisors throughout the Triangle to create personalized financial plans which track client’s progress towards achieving their financial goals. Through this process, Elizabeth became passionate about helping others prepare for retirement and decided to join the Brightleaf Group and pursue her career as a financial advisor. Elizabeth is married and lives in Durham where she is very active in the community through nonprofit work. She is the mother to two beautiful children.

A graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. I started my career with Morgan Stanley immediately after graduation in 2008 and have held various roles within the firm, including a Technology Trainer, Wealth Advisor Associate and now a Financial Advisor. Having earned my Certified Financial Planner ™ designation in 2019, I enjoy the process of curating financial plans that are tailored to each specific individual.

I enjoy running and exploring national and state parks with my wife and two children. I live in Apex and am involved in soccer and golf with my kids and in the community.

Jessica is a Portfolio Associate and Financial Planning Associate who has worked in the financial services industry since 2005. She began working with the Gresham Pottenger Stark Group in 2013. Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jessica manages many of the team’s functions and initiatives, as well as assists clients with any service or operational needs. She holds the necessary securities licenses (Series 7 & 66) to enter client investment orders.

Jessica resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband and dog. She enjoys reading, cooking, yoga, playing the ukulele, and spending time with her family and friends.

Gareth is a Wealth Management Associate who has been working in financial services and banking since 2018 and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2021. Prior to that, he worked as a teacher, a career that established the passion for lifelong learning and discovery that he carries forward in service to the team’s clients. Gareth is a North Carolina native and holds a BA in Philosophy from Duke University.

Gareth assists the team with client service, operations, and financial planning. He enjoys finding creative solutions to client needs and considers the connections he makes with clients to be the most rewarding aspect of his work.

Gareth resides in Chapel Hill with his spouse and their rambunctious tabby-cat. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, writing and exploring new restaurants around the Triangle.

Along with a quiet calmness and patience, I bring my love of teaching to the client service arena. More comfortable behind the scenes, I work to provide a pleasurable experience in helping cater to the specific needs of each of our clients.

Having earned a B. S. in Finance, with a concentration in Risk Management and Insurance and a minor in Spanish, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, I have worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years, and have been with the Moehrke Baumberger Group since 2003 before merging with The Brightleaf Group in 2024.

I am a lifelong learner and have multiple interests ranging from Bible study, music, amateur radio, reading and writing fiction, and learning other languages, recently Korean, so I can listen to BTS and watch my beloved Korean Dramas without the subtitles.

My husband, Scott, and I have been married for over 30 years. We have one adult son and two cats.

Maria is a Portfolio Associate who has been with Morgan Stanley since 2000. She began her career with the firm as a Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in Palm Beach, Florida, where she also served as an Administrative Assistant to the Branch Manager. After relocating to North Carolina in 2023 to be closer to family, she continued her work with Morgan Stanley, supporting Financial Advisors and assisting clients with service and operational needs. She holds the necessary securities licenses (Series 7, 63 & 65) to enter client investment orders.

A proud first-generation Latina, Maria enjoys building strong client relationships and providing exceptional service. She finds joy in traveling, dancing, and hosting gatherings, but most of all, she cherishes spending time with her family.

Maria resides in Hillsborough, North Carolina, with her husband, her high school sweetheart of 46 years. She is a proud mother of two amazing daughters and a devoted grandmother to two adorable grandchildren.