

The Kelly Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
ABOUT US
As a family team, we bring a distinct perspective to complex, multigenerational challenges of managing significant wealth. Our team of eight professionals includes five Kelly family members across three generations. We understand the joys and the stresses of working alongside your children, siblings and parents, and how those roles evolve over time. When we speak about wealth transfer, family business succession, and other issues that are central to building an enduring legacy, we're hyper-aware of its importance to you. We know that the key to successful wealth and accumulation is not about the importance of its absolute number, but more about the people whose lives it touches.
From 2023 to 2025, The Kelly Group was recognized as one of the Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams in New Jersey by Forbes and Shook Research. Combing our perspective and experience with the vast global resources of Morgan Stanley, we craft highly customized and truly comprehensive wealth management plans to design to address your specific goals. We are dedicated to delivering success on your terms. Often assembling teams of world-class professionals in the areas of tax, estate and business succession law; philanthropy; risk management and investment management. We have several offices located in New Jersey, Florida and the Washington, D.C. area, and we serve affluent families across the country. We commonly work with two, or even three, generations of these families. In fact, we have known many of our current clients from the day that they were born. We take a very long-term approach to meeting your goals because we understand that legacies are built generation by generation.
Source: Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Forbes.com (Awarded 2023 - 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award. https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure
- Financial PlanningFootnote1
- Wealth ManagementFootnote2
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote3
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote4
- AnnuitiesFootnote5
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote6
- Retirement PlanningFootnote7
- Divorce Financial AnalysisFootnote8
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote9
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote10
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote11
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote12
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote13
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote14
- Stock Option PlansFootnote15
Location
Meet The Kelly Group
About Brian J Kelly
Brian is a founding member of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC) and continues to serve on the board of directors executive committee. He is also the Board Liaison to the ultra-high net committee and the team committees. When not moving at the speed of light, Brian values quality time with his family in New Jersey and Florida and enjoys exploring destinations around the world.
NMLS#: 1398703
About Marybeth Emson
Marybeth has been named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2024-2025, Top Women Advisors Best-In-State 2020-2025 and Working Mother Magazine & Shook Research’s Top Wealth Adviser Moms 2020. She holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation from the Wharton School of Business.
Marybeth is Past President of the 2021 national conference for APIC (the Association of Professional Investment Consultants). She also serves as a member of the Leadership Council of “Next Chapter,” which is an organization comprised of senior executives across the industry that is acting as a think tank to reimagine retirement solutions for the future, as well as LIFT (Ladies in Finance Together Counsel), and Morgan Stanley’s “Women in Wealth.”
A former member of the women’s swim team, Marybeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and Public Policy from George Washington University where she also met her husband Kenny when he was a member of the men’s soccer team. She lives in the greater Washington, D.C. area and when not trying to keep up with her three children, Marybeth enjoys playing tennis badly, participating in open water swims at the Jersey shore and randomly pursuing her ambition to be a backup singer for Bruce Springsteen.
NMLS#: 1375300
About Brian J Kelly Jr.
Brian is a member of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC), a professional organization of leading Morgan Stanley advisors and their team members who are committed to fostering professionalism through a culture of consulting and education. He has also earned designations as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and as a Senior Investment Management Consultant, honors given only to the top Financial Advisors who have met specific experience and educational criteria. In 2023, Brian was named to Morgan Stanley's prestigious Masters Club, elite groups composed of the Firm’s top Financial Advisors. The appointment recognizes Brian J. Kelly Jr. consistent creativity and excellence in providing a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to his clients.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in both finance and economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Brian enjoys outdoor adventures and the thrill of live sports, especially when he’s watching the Yankees in action. His ideal day is sharing those pursuits with his wife, Tina, and three children: James, Toby, and John.
NMLS#: 1295594
About Michael Cecil
He is member of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC), a professional organization of leading Morgan Stanley advisors who are committed to fostering professionalism through a culture of consulting and education.
With a recent college graduate, and a son and daughter in college, Mike uses his limited spare time to enjoy mountain biking, skiing, golfing with his friends and playing “old guys” basketball. After he has recovered from those various activities he spends time in Vermont working on his family farmhouse.
NMLS#: 1409793
About David Emson
David earned a bachelor’s degree in international business & Spanish Language from Rollins, where he also competed as a varsity swimmer and studied abroad in Oviedo, Spain. Passionate about educating the next generation on smart financial decisions, he frequently engages with younger clients as their peer. He currently resides in Morristown, NJ.
About Kristin Buro
About Susan Kelly
Susan earned an Associates of Science from Widener University in Delaware and a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a minor in communications from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. She is married to her husband Keith and has two girls in college, Brianna at University of Maryland and Marissa at The Ohio State University.
About Ananda Smith
In this role, Ananda has developed strong expertise in investment products, financial planning, and relationship management. She is passionate about building trust-based relationships and helping clients navigate their financial goals with clarity and confidence. Ananda looks forward to continuing to grow at Morgan Stanley and making a meaningful impact in the wealth management field.
Ananda is originally from Los Angeles, CA and her hobbies include running, skiing, going to museums and traveling. Fun Fact, Ananda is running the 2025 NYC Marathon, which is her first marathon ever!
About James Kelly

Contact Brian J Kelly

Contact Marybeth Emson

Contact Brian J Kelly Jr.

Contact Michael Cecil

Contact David Emson
Awards and Recognition


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.
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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
5Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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.
7When 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.
8Morgan 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.
9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
10Morgan 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.
11Alternative 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.
12Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
13When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
14Products 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.
15Morgan 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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