The Ferguson Smith Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley

Drawing from over three decades of investment management experience, Scott Ferguson crafts highly customized wealth management strategies for successful families, individuals and select institutions. His primary focus is on portfolio management, overseeing six core strategies over 14 portfolios. A registered and licensed wealth advisor, Scott has worked with his clients through multiple market cycles, helping them preserve, enhance and transfer wealth. Forbes Magazine has named Scott to their Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022. Barron’s has recognized Scott’s dedication to his clients by listing him on their Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in the country each year from 2009 to 2023. The Financial Times has also recognized Scott by naming him to their Top 400 Financial Advisors List in 2018.

A native of Kansas City, Scott graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Scott has many philanthropic interests including Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Keith Worthington Chapter of the ALS Association, and Junior Achievement to name a few. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf. He lives in Stilwell, Kansas with his wife Sarah.

2018-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2011-2023 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2011-2023). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.

Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors:
Source: ft.com Awarded 2018; data 6/30/15 - 6/30/17

As Co-Founder of the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group, Dianna Smith brings over two decades of financial services industry experience to her clients. Dianna works closely with wealthy families, individuals and endowments/foundations in the development and creation of their wealth management and investment plans. She provides comprehensive asset allocation and investment strategies, manager and investment selection, alternative investments, tax-efficient cash flow planning, estate distribution and legacy planning strategies.

Dianna attended Kansas State University and completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the University of Phoenix. She holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst^® certification, administered by Investments and Wealth Institute in conjunction with The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. Dianna is also a Family Wealth Director, a designation earned by fewer than 4% of all Morgan Stanley Advisors as of September 2019.

Dianna has received numerous national and state honors as a financial advisor. Most recently, Dianna was ranked #1 in Kansas for Forbes Magazine's "Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors", in 2022. In 2017, she was named to the Working Mother’s inaugural list of “Top 200 Wealth Advisors” and Forbes Inaugural list of America’s “Top 200 Women Advisors”. Her dedication has also earned her the honor of Forbes Magazine naming her to its List of America’s “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors” in 2018, 2019,, 2020 & 2021, as well as Forbes Magazine’s “Top 250 Women Advisors” in 2018, 2019,, 2020 & 2021. Dianna has also been named to Working Mother & SHOOK Research's "Top Wealth Advisor Moms", 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021.

Dianna serves as a member of the Morgan Stanley’s Consulting Group Advisory Board Council. She is currently involved in local Junior Achievement activities. Previously, Dianna has served as an officer for the Kansas City Estate Planning Society and formerly served as the Treasurer for the Heart of Kansas City National Charity League. She resides in Leawood, Kansas, with her husband, James, and two daughters, Madelaine and Lily.

Patrick Cohen began his career in the securities industry at the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group in 2011 where he provided portfolio strategy and financial planning analysis. He now works with affluent families, closely held businesses and endowments/foundations in the design and implementation of their investment allocations and comprehensive wealth plans. On behalf of all of his clients, Patrick seeks to achieve investment enhancement through individual security selection, alternative investments when appropriate, tax efficient cash flow planning and estate/legacy planning strategies.

Patrick has earned numerous accolades including Forbes Magazine’s “America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021. He also earned the recognition of being named a Forbes Magazine’s “Best-in State Wealth Advisor” 2021.

Patrick currently sits on the PMCC Advisory Council within Morgan Stanley, serving to improve the client acquisition experience across the firm. He also sits on the board and is a passionate advocate for the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center. Patrick currently resides in Overland Park, KS with his wife and three children. He is a Chiefs/Royals/Jayhawks Fanatic and an avid tennis player, golfer and traveler.

Andrew Sigler spent nearly two decades of his career in the Capital Markets division of UMB and later Country Club Bank. Andy’s primary responsibility was institutional bond sales, which has given him a vast knowledge of both corporate and municipal bonds. Andy served as Head of National and International Sales for Russell Stover Candies, Inc. in the early 2000s. In 2003, Andy transitioned back to the bond industry, taking positions at Stern Brothers and Hutchinson, Shockey & Early in Chicago.

Andy returned to his home of Kansas City and in 2017 joined Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. He now works directly with clients and foundations, assisting with their Wealth Management needs.

Andy graduated from the University of Kansas in 1979 with degrees in history and economics. In 1982, he attained his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (he is not practicing at Morgan Stanley). He has served on the board of the ALS Association Mid-America Chapter and volunteers for Great Plains ASPCA as well as Junior Achievement. Andy has two grown children, Collin and Hattie. He lives in Fairway, Kansas with his wife, Sydney.

Ryan Widrig began working with the team as an intern in 2010, and joined full time in 2012. As the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group analyst, Ryan supports the team in the implementation of its investment process and the creation of wealth management solutions.

Ryan graduated from the University of Kansas in 2012 with a degree in finance and was awarded the Outstanding Finance Senior Scholarship. This scholarship was presented to 12 seniors who exhibited exemplary performance in finance classes.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Ryan is an avid sports fan who enjoys cheering on the Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals with his wife, Katherine, son, James, and daughters, Rose and Lucy.

Chris Malmgren brings 19 years of financial services industry experience to the team. She began her career in this industry as a Client Service Associate, then Portfolio Associate, and now has joined the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group as a Financial Advisor. She is also assisting the team with business development, financial planning and new client onboarding.

A native of Kansas City, Chris received a BA from the University of Iowa and went on to earn the Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC) designation. She currently sits on the board of the Greater Kansas City Iowa Club, where she also serves as the Treasurer. She resides in Olathe, KS with her husband, Greg, and has 2 grown children, Hayley and Drew.

Debbie Cartwright serves as the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group’s administrative professional, tending to the diverse operational and administrative needs of the team and its clients. Drawing on over three decades of financial industry knowledge and experience, she ensures diligent follow through and otherwise supports the team’s efforts to provide the highest level of personalized service to each and every client.

A lifelong resident of Shawnee, Kansas, Debbie is an active supporter and fundraiser for the KVC charity of Wyandotte County. She is also active with several other nonprofit organizations within her hometown. She and her husband of 36 years, Steve, have two grown children and three grandchildren. Their son is a lieutenant of the United States Navy.

Sandra Fahlstrom has worked in the financial industry since 1997 in both client service and office management capacities. She currently serves as the initial point of contact for clients of the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group. Drawing upon her vast knowledge of the industry, Sandra provides clients with an outstanding experience through various administrative, marketing, client service, and mortgage and lending efforts. She also supports the team in data management, scheduling and event planning.

Sandra is an avid supporter of local community programs. Sandra has two married sons who live in the Kansas City area and in 2018 welcomed her first grandchild. Sandra enjoys spending her time traveling the world with her husband, Joe.

Katie Lew has joined the Ferguson Smith Cohen team as their Planning Coordinator. She brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising, strategic planning and relationship management to the team. Her collaborative working style and commitment to excellence will serve her in the this role as well as in the FAA training program.

A native of Chicago, Katie graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies. She spent ten years at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Katie was a member of the senior leadership team at Ability KC, a Kansas City healthcare non-profit.

Katie moved to the Kansas City area four years ago to settle into a strong community and raise her family. She resides in Fairway, KS with her husband and three sons. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, cooking and chasing around her three boys.

NMLS# 2295080

Riley Griffin became a member of the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group in July 2020. Her direct experience in the banking industry and her branch management organizational skills support her efforts in overseeing the operational processes for the team. Riley brings high touch banking expertise and a deep understanding of industry technology allowing her to assist the team with workflow optimization and client service.

Riley attended the University of Kansas where she completed her bachelor’s degree in dance, with minors in both Business and French. She enjoys her dogs and exploring all that Kansas City has to offer with her husband, Brandon.

Andriea began her career in the financial services industry as an office manager and client service associate in 2000. She was born and raised in Southern California and has a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach. She has also completed two-year certificate programs in Technical Writing and Organizational Leadership Studies at Orange Coast College. Andriea is a Portfolio and Financial Planning Associate, has been fully registered since 2007, and has her Life Agent license.

Andriea loves to listen to live music, is an avid gardener and animal lover who has three cats and a dog. She enjoys spending time at home with her husband and two children.

Kyle Niehues began his career with the Ferguson Smith Cohen Group as an intern beginning in 2020, later joining the team full-time in 2023 as a Registered Client Service Associate and Analyst. Kyle utilizes his passion for finance by assisting the team in operational responsibilities and by supporting the team’s investment related processes.

Kyle graduated from Kansas State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Financial Management, along with a certificate in Integrated Investment Management. His favorite pastime interests include sporting activities, playing guitar, and spending time with his dog, Layla, and fiancée, Ally.