The S2 Group at Morgan Stanley

We start with in-depth conversations to get to know you—not just your assets, but most importantly, your priorities and purpose. We explore your goals, lifestyle, family dynamics, career, business interests, and personal values.
Key questions we explore:

• What does financial success look like to you?
• What are your biggest concerns, dreams, or transitions ahead?
• Are there causes, values, or people you want your wealth to support? This discovery stage sets the tone for a relationship built on clarity, trust, and transparency.

Next, we assess where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. We conduct a detailed review of your current financial situation—including cash flow, investments, liabilities, risk exposure, tax considerations, business ownership, and estate planning.

Using sophisticated tools and seasoned insight, we develop a customized strategy that's designed to:

• Tax-efficient investment strategies Sustainable or ESG investing options
• Business succession and exit planning
• Charitable giving and philanthropic strategies
• Insurance and legacy planning
• Cash flow and retirement income planning Every recommendation is carefully considered, explained in clear language, and aligned with your time horizon, risk tolerance, and personal goals.

Once your plan is in place, we execute it with care and precision—always with your goals and risk tolerance at the center. We coordinate with your CPA, attorney, and other professionals as needed to ensure every piece works together seamlessly.

We also walk you through any new tools, accounts, or reporting platforms—so you feel informed and in control at every turn.

Life changes. Markets shift. Your goals evolve. That's why we meet with you regularly to revisit your plan, evaluate your portfolio, and make adjustments as needed.

You'll receive regular check-ins, performance reviews, and strategy updates. And when life changes—whether it's a new business opportunity, family milestone, or unexpected challenge—we'll be right by your side to adjust your plan and keep you on track.

Our ongoing process includes:

• Regular strategy reviews (monthly, quarterly or as needed)
• Investment performance and impact tracking
• Updates around tax law, market dynamics, or business transitions
• Collaboration with your broader advisory team

• Collaborative, not prescriptive – You're in the driver's seat. We're your navigators.
• Holistic – We don't just look at your portfolio—we look at your life.
• Values-aligned – We help align your wealth with what you care about most.
• Flexible – Our process grows with you, adapting to life's big (and small) moments.
• Personalized – No generic advice. Everything we do is tailored to your needs.

You've worked hard to build your wealth. We're here to help you use it wisely, intentionally, and in a way that supports the life you want—now and in the future.

Let's start with a conversation. We're ready when you are.

Many Women prefer working with female financial advisors becuse we listen differently, commmunicate more collaboratively, and prioritize education and partnership. Research consistently shows that women value:

• A more personal connection with their advisor
• A collaborative decision-making process rather than being told what to do
• Financial education that builds confidence and clarity
• Holistic guidance that integrates personal goals, family, career, and values
• Empathy and understanding, especially during life transitions like divorce, widowhood, inheritance, or caregiving

Darya and Laura bring these qualities to every relationship—not as a strategy, but as a standard. As experienced advisors, mothers, community leaders, and former business owners, they understand the nuances of women's financial lives in ways that go beyond spreadsheets and stock charts.

We specialize in helping women who are:

• Business owners preparing for growth or exit
• Primary breadwinner managing household wealth
• Divorced or widowed and seeking financial clarity
• Navigating significant life changes (career shifts, caregiving, retirement)
• Interested in aligning their investments with their values
• Focused on building generational wealth and legacy planning

• We speak your language – no jargon, no assumptions, just straightforward advice
• We meet you where you are – whether you're confident or just getting started
• We're driven by purpose – your goals, your values, your peace of mind
• We bring perspective – as women, we understand the emotional and practical sides of wealth
• We build relationships, not transactions – and we're in it for the long haul

You don't have to have all the answers to start. In fact, most of our clients come to us with one big question: "Am I doing the right things with my money?" We help you turn that uncertainty into a plan—so you feel not just informed, but in control. We're here to be more than your financial advisors. We're your advocates, sounding board, and partners in progress. Let's talk. Whether you're starting fresh, leveling up, or preparing for what's next, The S2 Group is here to help you build a future that reflects the strength and clarity you already have within.

Understanding Employee Stock Ownership (ESOPs)

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 12-1:30 PM PST
Location: Virtual Webinar

Join us for a candid, practical conversation with business owners and ESOP professionals who have successfully executed employee-ownership transitions. They have real-world ESOP seller experience with deep financial and technical expertise. They address ESOPs through the lens of liquidity, control, valuation, preserving culture, and aligning ownership with long-term stakeholder value.

In this timely and focused webinar, we will cover:
- What an ESOP really is—and how it compares to traditional exit options
- When ESOPs make sense (and when theydon't) based on company size, EBITDA, and industry - How owners can achieve liquidity, diversification,and tax efficiency through ESOP
- The true costs, timing and complexity of ESOP transactions
- How control, governance, and leadership succession are handled post-transaction
- How ESOPs affect valuation, leverage, and future exit optionality Benefits to employees—and how ownership culture can drive performance
- Common misconceptions that cause owners to dismiss ESOPs prematurely

Previous events:

1. M&A Outlook and Market Forecast for 2026
2. Understanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)

Business owners face a unique financial reality. Your personal finances and business finances are deeply intertwined. Decisions in one area impact the other. Yet many entrepreneurs wait too long to plan for life after the business—or to make the most of the wealth they're building along the way.

• Separate your personal and business wealth strategies
• Unlock the value of your business through tax-efficient planning
• Create a strategic exit or succession plan—whether for sale, transfer, or legacy
• Build a post-sale investment plan to support your next chapter
• Protect your assets through risk management and long-term planning
• Align your wealth with your values, whether through sustainable investing or philanthropy We know you don't just want to sell your business—you want to do it on your terms, with confidence and clarity about what comes next.

We serve entrepreneurs and owners who are:

• Planning for a sale, merger, or transition
• Looking to reduce taxes and enhance business value
• Interested in preparing their business for outside investment or family succession
• Thinking about retirement but unsure where to start
• Eager to align their personal financial goals with the business they've built

• Certified Exit Planning Expertise – As CEPAs^®, Laura and Darya are trained in the technical, emotional, and strategic complexities of business exits and transitions
• A Holistic Approach – We consider both your personal goals and your business objectives, designing integrated strategies that serve both
• Real Business Experience – As a former business owner and M&A Investment Banker (Laura) and former CPA and seasoned advisor to entrepreneurs (Darya), we understand your challenges firsthand
• Long-Term Relationships – We work with clients before, during, and after their exit—not just during the transaction
• Networked Support – We collaborate with your CPA, attorney, M&A team, and other key partners to streamline the process and ensure aligned decision-making

The best time to start planning your business exit isn't the day you want to sell—it's 3–5 years beforehand. That's when we can help you shape a strategy that maximizes value, minimizes tax exposure, and prepares your personal finances for the transition ahead.

Whether you're building to sell, growing to pass on, or just starting to think about your endgame, The S2 Group offers the insight, structure, and support you need to make smart, strategic moves—now and for the future.

Let's build your next chapter together.

Thriving Tree: Women's Collaborative Series

• Harnessing Your Personal Power to Create a Legacy of Impact
  Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM PST
  Location: Zoom
  Guest Speaker: Natalie Byrne, blank space^®
• EVENT 2 | ACTION
  Aligning Your Capital with Your Purpose: Powerful Women Investing for Impact
  Tuesday, April 9, 2026 | 12:00–1:30 PM PST
  Location: Zoom
  Guest Speakers: Marian Macindoe, Parnassus
  Investments and Christine Cappabianca, Impax Asset Management
• EVENT 3 | COMMITMENT
  The Power of Conscious Investing: One Woman's Journey
  Thursday May 7, 2026 | 12:00-1:00 PST
  Location: Zoom
  Guest Speaker: Eva Yazhari, Beyond Capital

Darya Allen-Attar and Laura Russell-Jones are among a select group of advisors at Morgan Stanley designated as Investing with Impact Directors, recognized for their deep expertise in sustainable investing. With decades of experience in this space, they help clients:

• Align investments with personal passions and principles
• Evaluate ESG factors such as climate risk, board diversity, labor practices, and supply chain ethics
• Construct impact-driven portfolios without sacrificing performance potential
• Integrate philanthropy and legacy planning into long-term wealth strategies
• Understand what they truly own—and how that ownership shapes the future

Whether you're just beginning to explore values-based investing or are already well-versed in ESG strategies, we help you move from good intentions to actionable impact.

We work with individuals, families, non-profits, foundations, and entrepreneurs who:

• Want to invest in ways that support climate solutions, social equity, or responsible governance
• Seek to generate market-rate returns while pursuing long-term impact
• Value transparency in how their money is working in the world
• Are building a legacy that reflects their beliefs and aspirations
• Need guidance on how to incorporate sustainable investing into a larger wealth management strategy

• Deep Knowledge, Real Passion – Sustainable investing isn't a trend for us—it's a calling. We've helped values-aligned clients turn passion into powerful portfolios for years.
• Customized, Not Cookie-Cutter – Whether you're focused on clean energy, racial equity, gender-lens investing, or community development, we build strategies that align with your values—not generic ESG screens.
• Sophisticated Solutions – From green bonds to private impact funds, we offer access to institutional-grade vehicles across asset classes.
• Stewardship and Accountability – We continually evaluate your portfolio's alignment, impact metrics, and performance—because impact, like wealth, should be intentional.
• Integrated Planning – We connect your investing strategy to broader financial goals, including retirement, estate planning, charitable giving, and family legacy.

More and more investors are asking, "What am I supporting with my dollars?" At The S2 Group, we help you answer that question—and turn it into action. We believe in profit with purpose, and we know that investing with impact isn't just the right thing to do—it can be the smart thing, too.
Let's put your passion to work. Whether you're looking to decarbonize your portfolio, support women-led companies, or leave a legacy of change, we'll help you invest in a future that aligns with your values—and still delivers results.