

The Copilot Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
We deliver tailored, high-touch wealth strategies for founders and families with complex needs and evolving priorities.
Our Story and Services
At The Copilot Group, we serve as a financial concierge - personal CFO for executives, families, and founders navigating the complexity that comes with significant wealth.
Our clients come to us when life gets more complicated—after a liquidity event, during a leadership transition, or when the stakes are simply too high to leave anything to chance.
We don't flood you with noise or reports. We curate what matters, anticipate what's ahead, and deliver coordinated strategies aligned with your goals, your timeline, and your legacy—working seamlessly across your legal, tax, and estate planning relationships.
Whether you're preparing for a liquidity event, managing equity compensation, or planning a lasting legacy, we provide boutique-level guidance with the institutional strength of Morgan Stanley.
Boutique in feel. Institutional in capability.
Welcome to The Copilot Group.
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote1
- Financial PlanningFootnote2
- Retirement PlanningFootnote3
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote4
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote5
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote6
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote7
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote8
- Donor Advised Funds
How We Work
Precision Planning. Concierge Execution.
Our clients don't come to us looking for more information—they come to us seeking clarity.
Whether you're navigating a liquidity event, managing concentrated equity, or rethinking your long-term plan, our approach is built to make decisions easier, strategies smarter, and outcomes more aligned with your life.
We combine the discretion and attention of a boutique firm with the capabilities of a global institution—delivering curated advice, seamless execution, and relentless follow-through.
1. Build Your Personal Balance Sheet
We begin with a comprehensive view of your financial world—assets, liabilities, income, cash flow, equity exposure, and risk profile. This foundation becomes the lens through which we evaluate every opportunity and risk.
2. Clarify Priorities and Timing
Through deep understanding, we identify the transitions ahead and the outcomes that matter—whether it's managing concentrated equity, preparing for a liquidity event, funding future generations, or preparing for retirement. Your plan is anchored around your ambitions, timeline, and desired outcomes.
3. Design a Tailored Strategy
We translate your priorities into a unified plan—spanning investments, tax optimization, income planning, wealth transfer, and philanthropic goals.
4. Coordinate and Execute
We handle implementation with discipline and efficiency—aligning assets, executing tax strategies, and proactively managing transitions. We stay in close contact to reduce friction and proactively manage transitions as they arise.
5. Monitor, Adjust, Refine
Life evolves. So does our guidance. We continuously reassess your strategy, track performance, evaluate tax exposure, and adjust as markets and priorities shift.
- Boutique Experience: We limit our client base so we can go deeper—strategically and personally—with every relationship.
- Clarity Over Clutter: You get curated insight, timely action, and a plan that's always relevant—no noise, no nonsense.
- Built for Complexity: From equity compensation and legacy planning to private investments and trust structures—we're built for the decisions that matter most.
We help you reclaim time, reduce friction, and gain clarity across every financial decision.
Let's begin with your personal balance sheet. Schedule a confidential introduction.
Strategic Solutions for Complex Wealth
Liquidity & Equity Planning
- Pre- and post-liquidity planning
- Equity compensation strategies
- Diversification of concentrated equity
- Structured lending
- QSBS and tax mitigation planning
Long-Term Wealth Strategy
- Customized investment strategy built around your liquidity needs, tax profile, and long-term goals
- Portfolio design and risk alignment
- Tax-aware asset location
- Income and retirement planning
- Ongoing performance optimization
Legacy & Generational Planning
- Wealth transfer and estate coordination
- Trust design and integration
- Strategic gifting
- Philanthropic structures
- Family education and continuity
Private Access & Alternative Solutions
- Private equity and credit
- Hedge funds and liquid alternatives
- Customized lending
- Insurance-based wealth strategies
What Makes It Different
- Curated, not cluttered
- Access with context
- Executed seamlessly
Founders & Entrepreneurs
From startup to exit—and everything in between—we help founders make critical financial decisions at every stage.
- Pre- and post-liquidity planning
- Exit and succession strategy
- QSBS optimization and tax minimization
- Diversification of concentrated equity
- Lifestyle planning and philanthropic structuring
Public Company Executives
We bring clarity to complex compensation and long-term planning decisions.
- Equity compensation strategy (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, ESPPs)
- 10b5-1 plans and diversification
- Tax-smart investment planning
- Liquidity and income structuring
- Retirement and legacy planning
Established Families
We help families simplify complexity, preserve wealth, and plan for legacy.
- Wealth preservation and cash flow planning
- Trust and estate coordination
- Charitable giving and donor-advised funds
- Strategic gifting and legacy planning
- Family education and financial continuity
Location
Meet The Copilot Group
About Ryan J. Seay
He works with a select group of founders, executives, and established families with $5 million to $100 million+ in assets—helping them make confident, long-term financial decisions during periods of transition, growth, or complexity.
Named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, Ryan is known for his ability to connect personally, ask the right questions, and bring structure to even the most complex financial lives. He helps clients articulate what they truly want, confront what they fear, and move forward with a strategy that’s clear, grounded, and unemotional.
With over 20 years of experience, Ryan’s clients rely on him for direct answers, strategic thinking, and the ability to keep everything aligned—without the noise.
When he’s not working with clients, Ryan is enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, exploring the Bay Area, cooking over open fire, or planning the next family adventure.
NMLS#: 1278955
About Nishant Shailendra
As a co-founder of The Copilot Group at Morgan Stanley, Nishant leads client strategy across investment planning, tax-aware diversification, and pre-liquidity estate design. His experience makes him a valued sounding board for founders and private clients navigating complexity, transition, and legacy planning.
Nishant earned his B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and lives in Walnut Creek with his wife and three daughters. Outside the office, he enjoys cooking, playing ice hockey, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 1430992
About Shashi Bhagat
An immigrant who began her career in financial services in 1995 with nothing but determination, Shashi is deeply committed to helping others protect and grow the wealth they’ve worked hard to build. She joined Morgan Stanley in 2001 after starting at Kemper Securities in San Jose.
At The Copilot Group, she plays a central role in developing advanced insurance strategies, family trust coordination, and values-based giving plans for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Shashi earned her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Ravishankar University in India. She holds FINRA Series 7, 31, and 63 licenses as well as a California Insurance License.
Outside of work, Shashi enjoys meditation, cooking, travel, and time with her five grandchildren.
NMLS#: 1290413
CA Insurance License #: 0C17168
About Nikesh Kadakia
His work focuses on building intelligent, tax-aware strategies—leveraging strategies for income and hedging, overseeing private market opportunities, and customizing investment plans to reflect each client’s unique needs. He’s known for his focus, intensity, and passion for helping clients grow and preserve wealth through disciplined, strategic decisions.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Nikesh was a Portfolio Manager in Merrill Lynch’s Personal Investment Advisory Program. He earned his B.S. in Finance from the University of California, Riverside.
Outside of work, Nikesh lives in the South Bay with his wife Rakhi and their two teenage sons, Keshav and Rohin. As a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, Nikesh understands firsthand the importance of thoughtful, comprehensive financial planning—especially when life doesn’t follow a simple script.
NMLS#: 557835
About Lin Yan
At The Copilot Group, Lin focuses on helping clients with concentrated stock positions, alternative investments, and values-aligned (ESG) portfolios. She is known for her methodical approach to building custom strategies that align capital with long-term purpose.
After relocating from the UK to the Bay Area, Lin transitioned from academia to wealth management—driven by her passion for solving real-world problems that impact families and their futures.
Outside the office, she serves as a regional alumni representative for Cambridge, volunteers with the Humane Society Silicon Valley, and stays active with swimming, tennis, volleyball, and the occasional James Bond movie marathon.
NMLS#: 1767886
About Annie Tsan Wakayama
From onboarding and documentation to day-to-day account management and money movement, Annie handles the operational details so our clients can stay focused on the bigger picture. Her precision and responsiveness are essential to the high-touch experience The Copilot Group is known for.
Clients value her follow-through. We rely on her consistency. And after nearly two decades in the industry, Annie still brings the same level of care and attention to each relationship.
About Aaron Hannigan
Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2022, Aaron built his career in the fitness and sports marketing industries—first as a personal trainer, then in sales and strategy at a leading sports supplement company. His background gives him a unique perspective on discipline, client service, and the importance of clear goals.
Aaron earned his degree in Kinesiology from California State University, East Bay, where he also played on the baseball team. A lifelong Bay Area native, he now lives in Martinez with his wife, son, and their dog. Outside the office, he enjoys beach volleyball, hiking, and family time in the outdoors.

Contact Ryan J. Seay

Contact Nishant Shailendra

Contact Shashi Bhagat

Contact Nikesh Kadakia

Contact Lin Yan
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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