Our Story and Services

When it comes to high-net-worth wealth, nothing is ever straightforward. Between multigenerational priorities, special insurance and lending needs, and ever-changing regulatory landscapes –– not to mention market volatility –– it’s inevitable that you end up shouldering a uniquely complex set of obstacles and objectives.

Over the years, we’ve helped an eclectic group of clients achieve an even more diverse set of goals. We’ve helped venture capitalists retool their investment approach as they near retirement. We’ve helped families and family offices preserve their legacy across three generations. We’ve helped retired executives enhance their philanthropic impact with tax-savvy strategies. We’ve even worked extensively in the private equity space, providing support in various capacities during companies’ IPOs.

As an elite five-member team backed by the global resources of Morgan Stanley, we will support your vision for the future with a wealth of knowledge, resources, and service. Whether that’s your own future, your family’s, or your company’s. When you come to us with an obstacle, we do everything in our power to help you overcome it. So you can take that next step. Open that new door. Thrive in all facets of your life.

For a second opinion about your current investments, or to talk about your goals, please call us at (833) 651-2197.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Your Future, Our Present

Many of our clients come to us on the cusp of major life transitions. Some are experiencing their first liquidity event while others are nearing retirement and prioritizing estate planning tactics. Put simply, our clients come to us when life presents them with an added layer of complexity.

Our Goal Is To Simplify Your Life...
We know our clients lead demanding, multifaceted lives. They’re conducting due diligence on private companies. They’re raising capital for their new fund. They’re balancing their family life while keeping up with global markets trends and economic outlooks. Even our retired clients keep a busy schedule: sitting on the boards of companies and non-profit organizations, establishing their own family foundations, and pursuing lifelong passions.

Toward That End, We…
• Design customized financial plans to help give long-term purpose, direction, and accountability to your financial life
• Collaborate with your accountants, attorneys, and family office director
• Communicate proactively with you on a regular basis
• Connect you to our trusted network to help meet your comprehensive wealth management needs

The Bottom Line...
At the end of the day, we understand the stakes of our job. By simplifying your financial future, we’re able to help you stay focused on your present passions. And that’s what it boils down to: Our clients are passionate about what they do. And so are we.

Your Financial Journey

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Venture Distribution Services

When you’ve dedicated your time, energy, and resources into growing a successful fund –– assuming a great deal of risk along the way –– you and your investors deserve to feel confident in its exit strategies. Whether that’s an in-kind stock distribution, large block trade, restricted stock sale, or other event. The HRC Sand Hill Group has helped General Partners and CFO’s achieve just that –– navigating their fund’s most consequential and complex liquidations, and providing informed guidance across a wide range of capital market needs.
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    Our Services Include
    • In-kind Stock Distributions
    • Block Trading
    • Restricted Stock Sales
    • 10b5-1 Plans
    • Hedging & Monetization
    • FX Trading
    • Qualified Custody Services
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    Institutional Resources
    Because these kinds of transactions are heavily regulated, it takes a robust ecosystem of support to help see them through. Morgan Stanley allows us to offer support covering everything from trading to compliance –– all from one of the most respected investment banking and wealth management firms in the world.
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    Knowledge Capital
    Addressing the complex needs of venture capital funds requires not only informed guidance but also diverse perspectives. Our team delivers both. We bring to the table over 50 years of combined experience serving the venture capital community. And just as important, each of our members has a distinct skillset –– ranging from executive financial services, to restricted stock matters, to liquidation management on a concentrated stock position.
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    Unwavering Commitment to Your Best Interests
    Dedication. Integrity. Diligence. Those are the pillars of our practice, the values at the heart of our team. When we take you on as our client, we view it as a lifelong relationship. Whenever you need us, we make ourselves available. We take the time to be thorough, to think proactively, to double check. Everything we do, we do in service of your best interests.

When clients might be looking for Private Market Solutions

Our Private Market Solutions provide equity strategies that are designed for the innovative needs of private companies. Combining Shareworks' cutting edge technology with outstanding client service and premier wealth management capabilities, our strategies are designed to simplify the complexities of equity plan management, while helping employees realize the full potential of their benefits.
    After A Fundraising Round
    After a capital raise, companies may need to update their capitalization table. If they are not using a software, this can be time consuming and risk potential data inaccuracies from manual record.
    After An Audit
    Investors may require audited financials prior to investing in a company. The Shareworks platform provides solutions to automate financial calculations for equity-based compensation.
    After A Liquidity Event
    Prior to an IPO, a company may want to engage in a liquidity event like a tender offer. The Shareworks platform can automate the tender offer process from beginning to end.
    Before Offering Equity To Employees
    Companies may need to conduct a 409A valuation before offering equity to their employees. The Morgan Stanley at Work private markets valuations team can help conduct a compliant 409A valuation.
    When Compensation Planning
    The Morgan Stanley at Work Compensation platform has both pre-IPO database for equity benchmarking and provides planning tools to implement pay strategies.
    Before Entering Global Markets
    The Morgan Stanley at work Global Intelligence platform offers an integrated online database of legal and international tax regulations from 170 countries that is updated regularly by global law firms.

Location

2775 Sand Hill Road
Suite 120
Menlo Park, CA 94025
US
Direct:
(833) 651-2197(833) 651-2197

Meet The HRC Sand Hill Group

About Will Hains

William Hains is a Financial Advisor with The HRC Sand Hill Group at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park, CA. With over two decades of experience in the venture capital and private equity space, Will helps clients navigate a range of complex challenges, from a fund’s liquidation needs and supporting their portfolio companies, to a company’s IPO and their executive’s legacy planning.

A U.S. Air Force veteran and graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Shidler Business College –– Will began his career in the financial industry with a leading tech investment banking firm. It was here that he developed a passion for servicing the venture and private equity community, assisting with the coordination of large block trades and navigating the complex regulatory landscape of large institutional transactions. In 2017, Will joined Morgan Stanley, bringing eight years of capital market experience to help high-net-worth families achieve their investment objectives.

A leading member of The HRC Sand Hill Group, Will focuses on constructing sophisticated strategies to address the complex challenges of large liquidity events and high-net-worth wealth. It involves a great deal of creativity, diligence, and foresight; and that’s exactly what Will provides. He strives to be a comprehensive resource –– a guide you can turn to for trusted financial guidance whenever you need it. That way, you can keep your own attention and energy focused on the next chapter of your career, family life, or retirement.

Outside the office, Will lives in San Ramon, CA with his wife, Grace and their two sons, Tyler and Cooper. He was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Oregon when he was fourteen years old. In his free time, he enjoys being with his extended family and staying active outdoors running, hiking, and camping.
Securities Agent: VA, SC, ND, MD, IL, WY, OR, NH, VT, NY, NJ, WV, WI, OH, NV, PA, PR, NC, RI, TN, SD, UT, TX, OK, ID, MA, NM, GA, NE, IA, HI, MT, MS, MN, CT, ME, LA, MO, KS, MI, KY, IN, DC, FL, DE, AR, CA, AZ, CO, AK, AL, WA; General Securities Principal; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1829512

About Ivan Chan

Ivan Chan is a Financial Advisor with The HRC Sand Hill Group at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park, CA. Since 2006, he has been helping high-net-worth entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and families find elegant solutions to their often complex set of needs and objectives.

After graduating from The University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Applied Mathematics, Ivan entered the financial industry in 2006 with Citi Smith Barney’s Venture Services Group. He went on to serve as Director of Client Services for Three Bridge Wealth Advisors, and later as a Trader and Manager of Operations for Sand Hill Global Advisors. In 2020, looking to offer his clients access to an elite suite of global resources, he came on board with Morgan Stanley.

At The HRC Sand Hill Group, Ivan focuses on a wide range of executive financial services. From tax mitigation, estate planning, charitable giving strategies, risk review, concentrated stock position guidance, and asset allocation on a risk adjusted basis. He strives to provide every client with the knowledge capital, technology, and resources they need to help unlock the full potential of their wealth. That means going above and beyond to help demystify their every financial challenge and build sophisticated financial solutions aimed at long-term growth and preservation.

Outside the office, Ivan lives in Daly City, CA with his wife, Adriana and their two young sons, Oliver and Elliot. When not mediating his kids’ latest spat over a toy, he enjoys tapping into his inner foodie, firing up his ceramic grill and trying new recipes.
Securities Agent: PR, VI, AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2147099
CA Insurance License #: 4275589

About Matt Kerr

Matt Kerr is a Client Service Associate with The HRC Sand Hill Group at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park, CA. Responsible for managing in-kind stock distributions, Matt provides elite service and world-class resources for our venture capital and private equity clients and their limited partners.

About Tommy Griffin

Tommy Griffin is a Client Service Associate with The HRC Sand Hill Group at Morgan Stanley in Menlo Park, CA. Responsible for overseeing our client service model, Tommy provides elite service and world-class resources for our wealth management clients.

After studying Finance and Accounting at Cañada College, Tommy joined Morgan Stanley in 1996 to begin his career supporting wealth management teams. At The HRC Sand Hill Group, Tommy primarily focuses on day-to-day operations with an emphasis on relationship management.

Outside the office, Tommy enjoys playing golf and fishing around the Bay Area. He is also a lifelong athlete and spends a lot of his time watching baseball and football.

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Ryan Brown

Ryan Brown is a Senior Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, while leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Ryan began his career in financial services in 2006, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2011 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Licensed Premier Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Ryan is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a minor in Management. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California with his family. Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys playing golf, road and mountain biking, and spending time with friends and family. He also volunteers his time as a youth sports coach and at several non-profit organizations.
NMLS#: 465566

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The HRC Sand Hill Group today.
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.
Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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2Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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3Morgan 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.

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4Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan 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.

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6Morgan 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.

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7Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)