

The Horizon Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Our Story
2024 and 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
The founders of The Horizon Group have worked together for over 20 years, providing comprehensive wealth management services for the personal and business needs of affluent clients. We believe that managing wealth involves far more than managing an investment portfolio. To us, it means taking the time to truly understand your financial desires and challenges, develop a comprehensive plan, and implement appropriate strategies. Through Morgan Stanley, our team has access to a full spectrum of financial solutions designed to help our clients accomplish their goals.
Our team is proud to have earned the Family Wealth Advisor, Alternative Investments Director, Corporate Retirement Director, and Workplace Advisor - Equity Compensation distinctions. Each of these designations reflect our distinctive capabilities to provide more in-depth consulting around matters such as intergenerational family wealth planning and retirement plan consulting.
We've built our practice on sound financial strategies, personal attention and long-term client relationships. With passion and insight we work with our clients, helping empower them to create the future they envision. Our clients look to us as dedicated advisors who can help them make informed financial decisions, and align their investments with their values.
Your financial world can be complicated; let us help navigate your future.
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024, 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to issuance of the award.
Investment Solutions
• The universe of mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs
• Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing
• Private stock and bond managers, hired and vetted by Morgan Stanley
• Charitable solutions, such as donor advised funds and charitable trust asset management
• 401(k) Plan Investment Consulting Services
• Private Equity
• Private Credit
• Real Estate
• Hedge Funds
Many firms offer some of what we do, but very few firms have the breadth and depth of solutions for clients, with the hands-on due diligence and ongoing monitoring we perform on all of these solutions. Additionally, most of the ideas we recommend for our clients are not proprietary to Morgan Stanley, but many are exclusive to us.
Let us design an Investment Plan for you.

The term Impact Investing is often used interchangeably with ESG (environmental, social, and governance factors) and Sustainable Investing (incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions to not only meet present needs, but also to preserve the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by strengthening social, environmental and economic systems).
Together, let's define how you want your investments to reflect your values.
Family Wealth Planning
The FWA designation is an accreditation program focused on the skills needed to deliver comprehensive, family-centric wealth management, including:
- Having meaningful conversations about money with children and parents
- Working together on a family business or other family enterprise
- Creating a comprehensive wealth management plan
- Advising and helping implement proper asset allocations
- Estate planning and wealth transfer
- Engaging the next generation in taking ownership of their finances
We work closely with you and your family to help guide you through your financial and investment planning needs and assist you in planning for the future and whatever it may hold. In many cases we also coordinate with your tax, legal and other professional advisors to design holistic, strategic solutions to your most pressing concerns and to review your plans on an ongoing basis to ensure that they still fit your values and goals.
On behalf of The Horizon Group, we look forward to putting our resources and knowledge to work for you and your family.
Women and Wealth
The affluent couples who we work with find value in knowing that when one spouse passes on, their partner will have a trusted advisor to continue working with them through a difficult transition. As a knowledgeable team, we not only offer expert financial guidance, but work to make positive changes in our clients' lives. We offer patience, experience and a straightforward approach, empowering our clients to create the future they envision. The relationship expands to understanding our clients' concerns and needs, and helping to anticipate and plan for life changes that may occur. We coordinate with our wide network of other professionals to help our clients in all areas of planning.
As a collaborative team, the members of The Horizon Group have devoted their expertise, empathy and knowledge to guiding and assisting their clients, so they can make informed and educated financial decisions.
Business Services
As a firm, we handle thousands of retirement plans. As a team we work with a sizeable number of retirement plans, from small business plans with few employees, to larger more established plans with hundreds of employees. We are well-versed in all types of corporate plans, including 401(k), Profit Sharing, Defined Benefit and Non-Qualified plans.
Services Include:
• Creation, education and governance of a Plan Investment Committee
• Interacting with other service providers on behalf of the plan (record-keepers/third-party administrators)
• Creating and monitoring customized investment platforms
• Plan Benchmarking
• RFP Services
• Participant Education
Most importantly, we take the time to understand the business owners' objectives so that we can shape and create a plan that can help accomplish the goals of our clients. We engage with the plan on multiple levels, including the ownership group, plan committees and the plan participants. Our consultative, hands-on process positions us as an extension of the company's own benefits team.
Corporate Clients/Industries we serve include, but are not limited to:
• Medical and dental
• Manufacturing companies
• Technology companies
• Engineering companies
• Consulting companies
• Senior housing companies
Location
Meet The Horizon Group
About Lisa Taranto Schiffer
Shortly after receiving her Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University, Lisa began her career in finance with some of the most recognized financial firms in the business: Merrill Lynch, Sanford C. Bernstein and American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA). In 1993, Lisa formed a partnership with financial advisor, Chris Wynne. As partners, they worked for more than a decade with AEFA, and later joined a top 50 US-based accounting firm, as Vice Presidents in the wealth management division.
Since before joining Morgan Stanley in 2014, Lisa’s mission has been empowering women to make educated decisions. She is a committee member of Morgan Stanley’s Women and Wealth Atlanta, as well as the Morgan Stanley Diversity and Inclusion Council, Atlanta Chapter. Through mentoring and advocacy, Lisa believes in making a positive impact with and through her work.
Lisa was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Top Wealth Advisors for 2021. She has also been recognized in various publications, including Atlanta Magazine as a 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 “FIVE STAR: Wealth Manager.” She has shared her experience in interviews with Atlanta-area television stations and has written various articles for Atlanta Woman magazine, Chispa Magazine and Best Self Atlanta.
Lisa’s community involvement includes volunteer work with the non-profit, Dress For Success Atlanta. In addition, she currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Buckhead Club, Women’s Giving Circle sponsored by the Woodruff Arts Center, and has served as a board member for Mothers and Daughters Against Cancer (MADAC). Lisa and her husband have two adult children, and two Border Collies, and reside in the East Cobb Metro Atlanta area where she is an active member of the ARC- Atlanta Rowing Club. She also enjoys Pilates, yoga and the outdoors.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2024
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 6/30/22 - 6/30/23.
Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State 2023, 2024 and 2025
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024, 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award. Awards Disclosures
Forbes America’s Top Wealth Advisors 2021
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded August 2021) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/20 - 3/31/21. Awards Disclosures
The Horizon Group: Named to the 2024 and 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Ranking
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024, 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to issuance of the award.
Named to Five Star Wealth Manager Award: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) These awards were determined through an evaluation process conducted by Five Star Professional, based on objective criteria, during the following periods:
2012 Award - 02/04/12 - 7/22/12
2013 Award - 02/04/13 - 7/22/13
2015 Award - 02/04/15 - 7/22/15
2021 Award - 11/30/20 - 6/25/21
2022 Award - 12/13/21 - 6/10/22
2023 Award –11/14/22 - 5/31/23
2024 Award –11/14/23 - 6/10/24
Named to NAPA’s list of America’s Top DC Plan Advisors for 2020
Source: napa-net.org (March 2021) Data compiled by NAPA based on self-reported assets under advisement as of Dec 31, 2020.
NMLS#: 1285282
CA Insurance License #: 0157281
About Nick Bhandari
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Nick co-founded the wealth management division of Aprio, LLC; a Top 30 US based accounting firm. There he served as the division’s Managing Director for almost 10 years, working primarily with physicians, dentists, attorneys, and similar professional service entrepreneurs.
Nick is a long time Georgia resident receiving a Management degree from Georgia Tech. He continued his education and later obtained a Master’s degree in Finance from Suffolk University in Boston.
At Morgan Stanley, Nick is recognized as a Corporate Retirement Director, a distinction awarded to less than 2% of the firm’s advisors, showing his commitment to the retirement plan space.
Nick also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations, and is an active member of the National Plan Advisors Association.
Nick resides in the East Cobb area of Metro Atlanta with his wife Allison. He enjoys golf, tennis, and spending time outdoors.
NMLS#: 1282668
About Shane Austin
Shane graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Management. Additionally, he has obtained the Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist designations and serves as an Alternative Investments Director for Morgan Stanley. He is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors, and the Cobb County and Sandy Springs Chambers of Commerce.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Shane was a Vice President/Senior Financial Advisor with the wealth management division of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, a top 50 US based accounting firm. In addition to his work with high net worth families and businesses, Shane enjoys conducting seminars for various groups and businesses.
Shane resides in Sandy Springs, Georgia with his wife and two sons. He is a member and deacon of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and enjoys playing golf, tennis and coaching basketball.
NMLS#: 1279126
About Christopher Wynne
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the American University in Washington DC, and began his career in financial services with the Riggs National Bank. In 1993, he joined American Express Financial Advisors (AEFA) where he formed a partnership with financial advisor, Lisa Taranto Schiffer, and spent 10 years with the firm. From 2003-2014, Chris became a Vice President for the wealth management division of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP, one of Georgia’s most prominent accounting and business advisory firms.
Chris has shared his experience through articles in local publications and is a frequent speaker at workshops for individual clients and small businesses.
Chris resides in the East Cobb area of Metro Atlanta with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys traveling and spending time at Lake Oconee with his family and friends.
NMLS#: 1279128
About Lynne Kytle
Early in her life, Lynne realized the value of sound investment advice. Her grandfather lost everything -- a business and two homes – due to poor investment advice. Afterwards, everything the family owned fit into a three-foot-high steamer trunk. She witnessed the effect this had on her father as an adult – saving every penny, not wanting to invest. Therefore, she resolved to make wealth management her career, to help others and to change her own course.
Early in her career, Lynne realized the value of getting to know her clients’ tax advisor and attorney. “I consider the financial advisor, attorney and tax advisor to be a like a three-legged stool. When one leg is missing the stool topples over. When all advisors work together, your financial well-being can be much stronger.”
Her breadth and depth of knowledge is demonstrated by a range of professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP).
Lynne is also devoted to the communities around her. She spends her free time supporting the Gwinnett Medical Center as a Foundation Board Member, and as a member of the Gwinnett Medical Center Women’s Advisory Council. She also enjoys working with Coreluv International, an orphanage she and her husband helped found in 2011.
NMLS#: 1368437
About Ryan Austin
NMLS#: 2419808
About Amanda Kombosch
As Group Director, Amanda oversees the client service team to help ensure that our clients enjoy excellent service and are offered optimal wealth management solutions.
Amanda grew up in Atlanta, GA and Sudbury, MA, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Providence College in Rhode Island. She currently resides in Brookhaven, GA with her husband Tino, her son Colin, and her three dogs Max, BB, and Olive.
Outside of work, Amanda is an avid cook, and she loves to spend time outdoors with her family.
About Brett Weldon
Born and raised in Atlanta, Brett currently resides in Smyrna with her husband, and is an active member of Christ Covenant Church in Buckhead.
About Sophia Johnston
Sophia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the financial services industry. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Sophia worked with Bank of America / Merrill Lynch as a Financial Solutions Advisor, providing financial guidance to clients. She majored in Finance and graduated magna cum laude from Auburn University’s Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Sophia is originally from The Woodlands, TX and moved to Atlanta in 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, art, and Auburn basketball.
About Alex Cornett
At Morgan Stanley, Alex is responsible for the operational and administrative needs of our clients to help ensure that they enjoy excellent service.
Alex grew up in Bowling Green, KY and earned a Bachelors in English from the University of Kentucky in 2012. He moved to Alpharetta, GA in 2016, where he currently lives with his wife, Cece, his kids, Gwen, Archer, and Valerie, and his dog, Louise.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys going to the movies, spending time with his family, and he also is the host and editor of a podcast.

Contact Lisa Taranto Schiffer

Contact Nick Bhandari

Contact Shane Austin

Contact Christopher Wynne

Contact Lynne Kytle

Contact Ryan Austin
The Power of Partnerships
About Nikki Roberts
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Nikki began her career in financial services in 2007, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer at Merrill Lynch. She also served as a Private Banker and Investment Analyst at JP Morgan’s Private Bank.
Nikki is a graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She lives in Alpharetta, Georgia. Outside of the office, Nikki enjoys reading, listening to live music, and skiing. She volunteers with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club.
Portfolio Insights
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Mosaic
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Retirement for Plan Sponsors
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
- Plan Evaluation
- Investment Management
- Plan Management Support
- Plan Participant Education
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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.
2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
3When 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.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
5When 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.
6Morgan 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.
7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
8The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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Awards Disclosures