The Copper Beech Group at Morgan Stanley

As a Certified Financial Planner, Portfolio Manager Director, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Family Wealth Advisor, I leverage 30 years of experience dealing with families to help address their complex family and business issues. My goal is to ensure that the management of my clients’ wealth enables them to enjoy the quality of life they desire for themselves, their families and the causes about which they care most.

I believe that Morgan Stanley offers the best platform for me to deliver on this goal for my clients. I co-founded the Copper Beech Group at Morgan Stanley in 2014 with two partners. We are delighted to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, now as a 6 person team. We are committed to providing a distinctive level of warmth and experience in handling our clients’ wealth.

Like many of my clients, I believe in the importance of giving back to my community. I have served as a trustee of many local not-for-profits, including the Princeton Area Community Foundation, McCarter Theatre, The Princeton Medical Center Foundation, The Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study, Trinity Counseling Service (now Center at 353) and Millhill Child and Family Development. I currently serve on the boards of the Watershed Institute and the Council of International Educational Exchange.

I am also the chair of the Fund for Women and Girls, a field of interest fund, that strives to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged women and children. Helping women to feel confident in managing their finances and investments – especially during periods of unplanned transitions—is core to my practice.

I have been recognized with the Princeton YWCA’s Tribute to Women in Industry award in 2018, and am a 8 time recipient of the 5 Star Wealth Manager award (2012, 2018-2024), as announced in the Wall Street Journal and New Jersey Monthly.

My husband and I have three children, and live in Pennington, NJ with our two Scottish terriers.

Five Star Wealth Advisor Award
This award was issued in 2012 & 2018-2024. The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
2012 Award - 04/15/11 - 10/16/11
2018 Award - 02/21/17 - 10/12/17
2019 Award - 03/21/18 - 10/12/18
2020 Award - 03/01/19 - 10/16/19
2021 Award - 11/30/20 - 06/25/21
2022 Award - 12/31/21 - 06/10/22
2023 Award - 11/14/22 - 05/31/23
2024 Award - 03/13/23 - 09/29/23

With over 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry, Phil has an extensive background in designing and implementing customized portfolio solutions for affluent families, foundations and endowments. Phil serves a select group of clients, developing, structuring, and monitoring tailored strategies that reflect their unique circumstances.

He works with clients across multiple areas of specialization, including: investment management; employee stock option analysis; retirement planning services; liquidity management; life insurance analysis and funding; wealth preservation; and legacy planning. Phil has particular experience in assisting corporate executives in designing solutions for hedging and monetizing concentrated equity positions.

Phil has built a practice that emphasizes intellectual rigor, in-depth customization, and committed service. He and his team work closely with ultra-affluent individuals and families, helping them both streamline the complexities of substantial wealth and capitalize on opportunities.

Phil began his career at J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank in New York and has worked as a portfolio manager at U.S. Trust Company and Merrill Lynch.

Phil has an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA from Hobart College. He is series 7, 66, and insurance licensed. He has served as a Trustee of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and Trinity Counseling Service. Phil was a long time member of the Princeton Day School Alumni Board and has enjoyed coaching youth lacrosse for the Princeton Lacrosse Club.

Phil currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Arts Council of Princeton.

Karen Crovicz serves as a Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Planning Specialist and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, bringing in more than 30 years of valuable experience in the financial industry. She graduated from Kean University in 1984 with a BA in Elementary Education.

Karen joined Morgan Stanley in November 2005, coming from Lebenthal & Co. Inc in New York City, where she had worked from 1988 to 2005. Her expertise covers various financial services, including Portfolio Management, Fixed Income, Financial Planning, Estate Planning, Mutual Funds, Annuities, Long-Term Care, and more.

Originally from South Plainfield, NJ, Karen now resides in Princeton, NJ. She is actively involved with her church in Plainsboro, NJ and values community engagement. Outside of her professional life, Karen enjoys spending quality time with her parents, family, and friends. She has a passion for tennis, cooking (especially baking), traveling, and tending to her garden in the summer.

The dedication Karen has for her community and her diverse range of interests outside of the office reflect her well-rounded approach with her clients. With over three decades of experience, she prioritizes understanding the unique financial needs and aspirations, forging strong, lasting relationships built on trust and expertise. Karen’s client-centric approach ensures that she guides individuals and families through complex financial decisions with care and diligence.

I am a Portfolio Associate with the Copper Beech Group, bringing over 20 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2014, I worked with Carolyn Sanderson in J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank for over 6 years where I discovered my passion for providing superior client service to high net worth individuals and their families. Prior to J.P. Morgan, I worked as an Equity Trader at Angelo, Gordon & Co. L.P., trading healthcare and utility stocks.

I work with my team to cultivate new and existing client relationships, providing dedicated operational, sales, and trade support. My duties include portfolio analysis, asset allocation, and trade execution. In addition, I have been a Complex Service Coach for the last 3 years training and mentoring new and existing Client Service Support Professionals.

One of Morgan Stanley’s Core Values – Giving Back -- truly resonates with our team. I have been a Girl Scout Parent Volunteer since 2008 and involved in many sport and school committees over the years. In 2018, I was Co-founder and President (12/2018-1/2021) of the Hightstown High School Rams Boys Basketball Parents Club, Inc., a NJ non-profit 501(c) 3 organization.

I love to travel, try new food, and play golf. I live in Hightstown, N.J. with my husband, Theo, two children, Justin & Alina, and our dog Lucy.

I am a Client Service Associate recently joining the Copper Beech Group. I have been in the Financial Industry for 20 years beginning at Smith Barney as a Receptionist while I attended Rider University. After the Smith Barney/Morgan Stanley merger in 2009, I took a position as Senior Service Associate in our Operations department where I worked for the past 10 years.

In joining the Copper Beach Group, I hope to bring my professionalism and hard work to help assist with money moving and account needs, as well as cultivate and grow existing and new client relationships. I look forward to getting to know you and your families and working with you well into the future.

In my spare time I like to travel, cook and spend time with family and friends. I currently reside in Hamilton, NJ with my husband, Brian, and our two children, Porter and Brielle.