

The MDM Group

Our Mission Statement
Welcome
Our story begins with a unique global perspective. Our three partners come from three different countries and have all spent their professional lives focused on the needs of international investors. They have developed a deep understanding of the regions in which they work, and have built extensive professional networks. Having worked closely together for over 25 years, they combine their talents to provide comprehensive wealth management services to an elite multinational clientele.
Our clients are financially sophisticated people with complicated financial needs. Adding our own insights and perspectives to Morgan Stanley's vast global resources, our goal is to help our clients address the complex, multidimensional challenges of managing significant wealth. We understand the unique needs of highly affluent international clients, and are well-prepared to help them craft highly customized strategies to protect the wealth they have created and support the lifestyles they enjoy.
We look forward to learning more about you and your family, and to discussing how we can help you address your challenges and reach your goals.
Awards & Recognition
The MDM Group is honored to have received recognition from both Forbes and Barron's for demonstrating our strong commitment to helping our clients achieve their financial goals. Recognition from these esteemed publications would not have been, nor would continue to be possible without the hard work of our team and the relationships we built with our wonderful clientele, who have entrusted us over the years and will continue to inspire us for many more to come.
2022 & 2023 | Barron's Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams
(Formerly referred to as Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams, Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Advisory Teams) Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2022, 2023). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Dec of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
2023, 2024 & 2025 | Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Mercedes Paratje | 2022, 2023 2024 & 2025 | Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024, 2025) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on based on 12-month time period concluding in Sep. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Mercedes Paratje | 2021, 2024 & 2025 | Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2021, 2024, 2025) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on based on 12-month time period concluding in Sep. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Mercedes Paratje | 2023, 2024 & 2025 | Forbes Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024, 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sep. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
David Lew | 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 | Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on based on 12-month time period concluding in Apr. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Miguel Bacal | 2023, 2024 & 2025 | Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024, 2025) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on based on 12-month time period concluding in Apr. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Guy Magen | 2022 & 2023 | Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022, 2023) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on based on 12-month time period concluding in Apr. of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Everardo Vidaurri | 2023 & 2024 | Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Aug. of the year prior to the issuance of the award. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1985 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor.
Everardo Vidaurri | 2023 & 2024 | Forbes Top Nex-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023, 2024) Data compiled by Shook Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Aug. of the year prior to the issuance of the award. SHOOK considered advisors born in 1985 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor.
- Open-Architecture Platform
- Investment Management
- Manager Selection
- Comprehensive Wealth Planning
- Pre-Liquidity Planning
- Hedging Strategies
- Proprietary Investment Opportunities
- Philanthropy Management
- Risk Management
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Asset AllocationFootnote1
- Cash Management & LendingFootnote2
- Securities Based LendingFootnote3
- 10b5-(1) Programs
About PWM
- Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
- Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
- Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
- Approximately 350 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $980 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 23% of the Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams for 2024
- Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
Our Philosophy
Drawing on our diverse backgrounds as institutional investors, we can explore derivatives solutions or FX strategies, create proprietary portfolios or provide access to carefully vetted long-only and alternative managers on Morgan Stanley’s vast open architecture platform. Supplementing our own experience and regional knowledge, we can call upon the extraordinary intellectual capital of our firm and our professional networks. We can call in experts on tax, trust and estate planning, philanthropy management, family dynamics, wealth education and a broad variety of other wealth management services.
Our Clients

Relationships by Region:
North America
Caribbean/Latin America
Europe
Middle East
Relationships by Industry:
Entrepreneurs
Senior Executives
Family Offices & Foundations
Financial Institutions
*as of September 2024
Corporate & Individual Solutions
• Your team can call on firm specialists to help you evaluate various exit strategies to determine which can help meet your personal goals and your aspirations for the ongoing business after your departure.
Resource Selection
• We can connect you with a Morgan Stanley investment banker or third-party affiliate based on factors such as transaction size and type, likely purchasers, your industry and geographic focus
Income Tax Planning
• Working closely with your outside tax and legal advisors, we can help you evaluate the impact of exit opportunities on your income taxes so that you can plan ahead and take advantage of strategies to reduce your tax liability.
Estate Planning
• Through the estate planning process, we can help you update your will and other foundational documents to reflect your new success. Whether addressing issues of succession, inheritance or creditor protection, we can help you develop gifting and other strategies before the sale that may help reduce taxes on some or all of the proceeds—as well as on future appreciation of assets.
Team of Specialist to Simplify Complexity
• Our team can help you identify the specialized skills required to address your needs and objectives and assemble a team to focus on your goals. Drawn from the global resources of Morgan Stanley and in coordination with your outside advisors, your team is likely to include specialists in risk management, customized liquidity strategies and income and estate taxation.
Location
Meet The MDM Group
About Mercedes Paratje
Mercedes earned an undergraduate degree in telecommunications engineering from the Polytechnic University of Barcelona and holds an MBA in finance and a M.A. in labor & industrial relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to her financial career, Mercedes spent five years working as an engineer for Phillip Electronics. She then launched her finance career with JPMorgan Chase’s Private Bank Investment Management group, where she helped manage global balanced portfolios. She later transitioned to Citibank, where she served as the head of Equity Advisory Service and an advisor to ultra-high net worth families from Latin America, Canada, and Asia Pacific. After Citibank, Mercedes served as the global head of Investment Advisory at Barclays Bank, where she was responsible for investment advisers in New York, London, Geneva, Monaco, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Her teams consisted of product specialists who developed sophisticated investment solutions for Barclays Private Bank clients around the world. She was also responsible for creating the Private Bank’s FX, derivatives, and structured notes platform.
Since arriving at Morgan Stanley, Mercedes has been recognized by major financial publications as one of the top advisors in the country. Internally, she is a member of the Chairman's Club, an elite group composed of the Firm’s top Financial Advisors. Thanks to her experiences across the globe, Mercedes is fluent in Spanish, Italian, French and Catalan.
Mercedes is a member of the Economics Club of New York. Additionally, she is a board member of the Catalonia America Council. In her spare time, Mercedes enjoys yoga and wine tasting. She is also an opera and classical music fan.
NMLS#: 1293918
About David Lew
David graduated with a bachelor’s degree biology, with minors in mathematics and economics, from New York University and went on to earn an MBA in finance from Fordham University. He started his banking career in 1985 at Citibank, where he worked for 14 years across several investment product groups including precious metals trading, FX trading, and OTC derivatives structuring and sales. While at Citibank’s Private Bank, he became a senior investment counselor for clients from Mexico, Brazil, EMEA, Canada and Asia/Pacific. After Citibank, David transitioned to Barclays Bank, where he focused on the needs of sophisticated individual investors based in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. He was instrumental in the development of the private bank’s FX, derivatives, and structured notes. David joined Morgan Stanley in 2002, where he has since provided highly customized investment advice to ultra-high net worth clients and their single & multi-family offices across firm business verticals, as well as a select group of small financial institutions. His primary geographic coverage is in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. He speaks conversational Cantonese.
A native New Yorker, David is a member of the firm’s Chairman’s Club, as well as the Economics Club of New York. Additionally, he serves as trustee and treasurer for the U.S. Asia Institute.
NMLS#: 1451602
About Miguel Bacal
Upon graduating from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Venezuela, Micky went on to earn his MBA from the William E. Simon School at the University of Rochester. Micky launched his professional career with Banco Central de Venezuela, where he traded precious metals and foreign currencies. He then accepted a position with Citibank as an equity analyst and portfolio manager for some of the institution’s largest Private Bank clients. Several years later, he joined Barclays Private Bank as a product specialist, where he helped develop the asset allocation, derivatives and structured notes platforms for the firm’s Private Bank. After being promoted to a senior investment advisor at Barclays, he ultimately joined Morgan Stanley and more specifically, the MDM Group. Since joining the firm, Miguel has become a member of an exclusive group of financial advisors, the Chairman's Club. Micky is fluent in both Spanish and Hebrew.
Micky lives in the greater Miami area with his wife and three children. Outside the office, he enjoys skiing, biking and partaking in various adventure sports.
NMLS#: 1285124
About Guy Magen
Guy is a graduate of Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and English. Guy began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2010, where he supported the PWM’s fixed income trading desk. Guy later directly serviced PWM clients. While working with clients and advisors, he focused on portfolio analysis, trading, and client servicing needs.
In his current role as a Private Wealth Advisor, he provides personalized financial guidance tailored to the unique goals and complexities of high-net-worth individuals and families. His approach integrates investment management, tax-efficient strategies, estate and legacy planning. Guy's goal is to focus on building long-term relationships founded on trust, discretion, and a commitment to delivering thoughtful, customized solutions aligned with clients evolving life and financial aspirations.
Guy resides in Bergen County NJ with his wife and two boys. On his spare time Guy likes playing tennis, and spending time with his family.
Born in Israel and raised in Tel-Aviv, Guy moved to the U.S. after serving three years in the IDF.
NMLS#: 2042363
About Everardo Vidaurri
Upon graduating from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration, Ever joined the MDM Group as an analyst: 7 years later, he became a partner at the group. Ever holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designations, and he holds insurance and annuity licenses in FL, NY and NJ. He is fluent in Spanish and is learning conversational Hebrew.
Ever has been named a top next gen advisor in the state of Florida in 2023 and 2024 by Forbes.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ever provides pro-bono financial planning and advice to veterans and their families with the Coordinated Assistance Network and enjoys spending his weekends with his wife Luisa, and his two sons, Ever Jr and Fernando.
2023, 2024 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023,2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
NMLS#: 1988165
About Aaron Cohen
Aaron graduated from Babson College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, concentrating in Finance. Before embarking on his financial career, Aaron served as a combat soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces' Golani Brigade. He attributes this experience as a key factor in his ability to cultivate unique relationships with his clients.
Aaron was born and raised on the Upper East Side and currently resides in the East Village. He holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses.
About Victoria Oliveira
Victoria graduated from Ramapo College with a bachelor’s degree in Finance in January of 2020. She joined the MDM Group in November 2021 as a Client Service Associate. Victoria has completed her Series 7 and 66 licenses.
She currently resides in Manhattan. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Aside from that, she is also fond of staying active through activities such as running and hiking. Victoria has completed 2 full marathons and hopes to compete in more soon.
About Nicole Szomstein
Nicole graduated with Magna Cum Laude recognition from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s in Political Science and Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and a minor in Global Social Entrepreneurship. While in college, Nicole interned for a real estate firm in Madrid as a REIT intern, as well as Brown Brother Harriman in Boston as a securities lending intern. She credits her study abroad experience in India - where she focused on social entrepreneurship and sustainable development (specifically microfinance) – for sparking her interest in the wealth management field. Nicole is fluent in Spanish.
A native of Miami, Nicole’s hobbies include dancing (both personally and teaching), running, spinning, skiing, and traveling. In addition to volunteering at her local Jewish community center, she spends time at low income public schools and serves as a dance instructor.
About Maribel Acosta
A 21-year veteran of the financial services industry, Maribel began her professional career with Merrill Lynch. After 10 years, she moved to Morgan Stanley, where she has held several positions over the last 11 years. She ultimately transitioned to the MDM Group in April 2021 after a successful stint within the firm’s Private Wealth Management Operations. Maribel is fluent in Spanish.
Originally from New Jersey, Maribel has three children and three grandchildren: she has dedicated most of her free time to her grandkids, whom she loves spending time with.
About Jordan Weinstein
Jordan is a May 2022 graduate of the University of Miami, where he received his bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and minor in Economics. While in school, he interned at a wealth management team in Fort Lauderdale, FL affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network. Shortly upon graduating, Jordan joined Morgan Stanley and more specifically, the MDM Group.
A native of Miami, Jordan currently lives in Manhattan. His hobbies include playing basketball, snowboarding, and spending time outdoors.
About Elizabeth R. Loughlin
Ellie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University in 2023 with a degree in finance and a concentration in value investing. While in college, Ellie interned for Brookfield Asset Management, where she worked on debt real estate funds, and at Raymond James Equity Research, where she covered consumer retail companies. After spending a year in equity research post-graduation, she joined the MDM group at Morgan Stanley.
Currently residing in Manhattan, Ellie enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, running, and playing basketball.
About Andres Bacal
Andres graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in May 2023, where he received a degree in Finance and Business Administration. During his time at Indiana, Andres completed several internships, including working with the MDM Group in the Summer of 2022.
Born in New York, Andres currently lives in Miami Florida. Andres loves to play golf and basketball during his free time, as well as take ski trips with friends and family.

Contact Mercedes Paratje

Contact David Lew

Contact Miguel Bacal

Contact Guy Magen

Contact Everardo Vidaurri
Portfolio Insights
Private Wealth Management Podcast
- Intergenerational Planning
- Philanthropic Giving
- Non-Traditional Assets
- Managing Family Wealth
Managing Significant Wealth
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Cash Management & Lending
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
- Business Services
Insights and Outcomes
1Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
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Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
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Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Morgan 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
Awards Disclosures