

The St. Louis Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
MEET OUR NEW TEAMMATE!
Ana Sigler, CFP®, CRPC®
We are proud to announce the addition of Ana Sigler to the St. Louis Group at Morgan Stanley! A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ (CFP®) professional, Ana will provide a wide range of financial planning services and experience to our clients.
Ana has a strong passion for advocacy of other female entrepreneurs, as well as furthering the success of small business owners. She is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and volunteers her time at the International Institute of St. Louis. Please welcome Ana to our team!
Learn more about Ana on our team carousel below.
Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025
We are delighted to share that Forbes' latest release of annual ranking for Missouri's Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams has recognized The St. Louis Group.
This accolade is a reflection of our commitment to you, our clients. We strive to deliver a high quality of service, personal attention, and customized solutions to help you navigate a complex financial world. Your ongoing support and belief in our team has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.
We remain dedicated to providing exceptional wealth management services. We want to thank you for your relationship and continued loyalty. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.
2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams: [Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/23–3/31/24.
- Financial PlanningFootnote1
- Retirement PlanningFootnote2
- Wealth ManagementFootnote3
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote4
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote5
- Trust ServicesFootnote6
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote7
- Business PlanningFootnote8
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote9
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote10
- 401(k) Rollovers
- AnnuitiesFootnote11
- Life InsuranceFootnote12
- Long Term Care InsuranceFootnote13
- 529 PlansFootnote14
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote15
Location
Meet The St. Louis Group
About Dennis Sappington
Dennis began his career in 1993 at Dean Witter, a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm, as a Financial Advisor where he achieved Rookie Broker of the Year. He subsequently earned the National Sales Director Award and received President’s Club honors for several years. Dennis advanced to become a branch manager after only three years in the industry. He later worked at UBS and Wachovia Securities, a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo, where he received leadership awards. Dennis led the team back to Morgan Stanley in 2014. He is a member of Morgan Stanley’s Century Club, which recognizes the firm’s top financial advisors.
In addition to his wealth management experience, Dennis has owned, operated and sold thriving businesses. He draws upon his diverse knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to build the successful business model that our team and clients enjoy today.
Dennis has earned his Series 3, 7, 8, 31, 63, and 65 licenses and is registered in 34 states.
Dennis and his wife, Karin, have two children, Kristen and Erik, and three grandchildren, Caleb, Eloise and Elijah. He enjoys golfing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends at “The Lake” and their Iowa Farm. He is an avid boater, holding a United States Coast Guard approved 100 Ton Master Captain’s license, and is a licensed pilot.
2012, 2014, 2017 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012, 2014, 2017 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
NMLS#: 826779
CA Insurance License #: 0C33216
AR Insurance License #: 914297
About Brian Watkins
Brian began his career in finance at Morgan Stanley in 2001. He had previously worked at Lindenwood University from 1992-1999, where he directed the Leadership Center. In 1999, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance National Office hired Brian as Associate Director of Program Services to consult universities around the country. From 2005 – 2014, Brian worked with his team at Wells Fargo Advisors, where he was recognized as a Premier Advisor.
Brian earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Truman State University in 1991. In 1996, he received a Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University. He holds Series 7, 31, and 66 registrations.
For 10 years, Brian served on the executive board, most recently as President, at BCI, Inc. From 1996-2007, Brian was Director of the Mike Bush Baseball Camp for the Hearing Impaired. Brian also served as President of Messiah Lutheran Church and School. Brian was selected to serve as Associate Dean for the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance’s National Management Conferences in 1998 and 2000. St. Charles Business Magazine recognized Brian in the 2005 Class of Forty Professionals Under Forty.* He was honored as Rotarian of the Year for the St. Charles Sunrise Rotary Club in 2005. Brian is currently a Founders’ Club member with Hearts & Hope, a company that provides schooling to underprivileged and orphans in Uganda, Africa.
He and his wife, Shannon, have two children, Ellie and Drew. Brian enjoys family time, traveling, golf, running and music.
*Source: St. Charles Business Magazine, “40 Under 40”, 2005. The award is based upon a recipient’s application and not upon any qualitative and quantitative criteria relating specifically to one’s position as a Financial Advisor. As such the award is not representative of any client’s experience nor is it indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. A panel of judges reviews the applications which include, among other things, community service, professional goals and leadership. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney nor any of their Financial Advisors pay a fee to the St. Charles Business Magazine in exchange for the rating.
Disclosure:
2012 - 2014, 2016 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012 - 2014, 2016 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
NMLS#: 1294008
CA Insurance License #: 0F47442
AR Insurance License #: 6811658
About Steven Ostrander
Steve focuses on working with clients to create long-term, personalized financial plans as well as managing portfolio design and investment selection. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) professional, he has held to the highest recognized standards of competence and ethical practice. He has received the Five Star Wealth Manager award on numerous occasions, most recently in 2024.
He graduated from Missouri State University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He holds series 7, 31, 63 and 65 registrations, Life and Health insurance licenses, and has a Financial Planning Specialist designation. He is licensed in multiple states.
Steve lives in Wildwood, MO with his wife, Sue, and spends most of his free time golfing, volunteering, or visiting with grandchildren. Steve and Sue also enjoy traveling and attending sporting/musical events.
2012 - 2017, 2019, 2021 - 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2012 - 2017, 2019, 2021 - 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
NMLS#: 1373252
CA Insurance License #: 0C98983
AR Insurance License #: 861761
About Nicholas Coyne
Nick spearheads the Group’s client financial planning efforts. He also assists the Group with its technology, digital enhancement, and marketing efforts.
He graduated from Missouri State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Planning. He has earned his Series 7, and Series 66 registrations. Nick was born and raised in Southwest Illinois, and currently resides in Columbia, Illinois with his wife Kelcie. He enjoys traveling, boating, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Nick is an avid runner and ran his first half-marathon in 2022.
2023 & 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2023, 2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.
NMLS#: 1813218
AR Insurance License #: 18769454
About Gregory Gilsinn
Throughout his career, Greg has been committed to professional development. This enables him to remain on the forefront of the latest and most effective wealth management strategies and to continually strive to create a better client experience. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. degree in Financial Planning, Greg earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. He has furthered his professional experience by earning his Series 7, 31, 63 and 66 securities licenses, and is a Life, Health and Variable Annuity licensee.
Greg and his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters, Evie and Josie, are active members of St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in Sappington, Missouri. Favorite activities outside of work include playing soccer, golf, coaching sports teams and spending quality time with family.
NMLS#: 1398736
CA Insurance License #: 0M41106
AR Insurance License #: 9146454
About Ana Sigler
Ana has over 7 years of wealth management experience. She started her business at Edward Jones where she consistently earned top awards and was a key leader of her area. She moved her practice to Morgan Stanley at the end of 2022. Prior to her professional career, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Truman State University. Ana’s dedication to professional development has been apparent throughout her career. She completed the Securities Industry Essentials Exam in 2017, along with the Series 7 and 66. In 2020, she earned her Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) certification. In 2021, she earned her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation. In 2025, she became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™. The CFP ® designation is a highly regarded certification in the industry. It is a rigorous program that demonstrates a planner’s expertise, commitment to ethics and willingness to be subject to another level of standards. Ana is devoted to always being up to date on the most effective strategies in order to deliver the superior service our clients deserve.
Originally born and raised in Peru, Ana immigrated to the United States at age 9 and has called St. Louis her home for over two decades. As a native Spanish speaker, she provides a further personalized experience to many of her clients, as well as a unique perspective and culture to our practice. Providing an ideal client experience has always been one of her main priorities. “There's never been a dull day in this job” she notes. “Hearing client stories and experiences motivates and inspires me every day.” Ana works tirelessly to ensure clients have piece of mind in their plan. While she and the St. Louis Group at Morgan Stanley manage risk and assist in investment decisions, her clients can feel confident and enjoy their pre and post-retirement years knowing they’re in good hands.
As part of her community, Ana has a strong passion for advocacy of other female entrepreneurs as well as furthering the success of small business owners. She is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and volunteers her time at the International Institute of St. Louis. However, her most gratifying but sometimes challenging role is that of being a mother to loving, yet highly energetic golden retrievers named Archer & Skye. Outside of work, Ana enjoys reformer Pilates, boxing and traveling with her husband, Evan, as well as spending time with friends and family.
NMLS#: 2468316
About Sally Ruffalo
Sally started her career in the investment industry in 1985 at EF Hutton in Sioux City, Iowa in the operations department. She then worked at Dean Witter, a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm, from 1988 to 1993. From 1993 to 2002, she was the Branch Manager Assistant for Dennis Sappington with Prudential and UBS. She later worked at Wachovia Securities, now Wells Fargo Advisors, and in 2014 she returned to Morgan Stanley as a Senior Client Associate.
Sally received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Executive Secretarial Practices from Western Iowa Tech Community College. In 2013, she received a Service Distinction Award from Wells Fargo Advisors.
Sally and her husband, Rick, have two Shih Tzu puppies. They enjoy spending time with family, gardening, and watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball.
About Jackie Etling
Jackie graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting. Now an empty nester, she currently resides in Dardenne Prairie, MO with her husband Rick. They have two adult children, Tyler and Kelsey. They enjoy the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family. Jackie also volunteers at Duo Dogs, a group that breeds, raises and trains Labrador Retrievers to work as service animals.
About Ashley Mahon
Ashley is from Saint Louis and enjoys baking, running, and spending time with her husband, Caleb, and son, Mason.

Contact Dennis Sappington

Contact Brian Watkins

Contact Steven Ostrander

Contact Nicholas Coyne

Contact Gregory Gilsinn

Contact Ana Sigler
The Power of Partnerships
About Greg Cole
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.
Greg began his career in financial services in 1999 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Regional Banking Consultant at Wells Fargo Advisors. Greg has also served as an Area Manager with JP Morgan Chase and was a Senior Mortgage Consultant in the Smith Barney division at CitiMortgage.
Greg is a graduate of Rockhurst University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He and his family currently reside in O’Fallon, Missouri. Outside of the office, Greg enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
About Sarah Ott
Sarah began her career in Financial Services in 2014 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to her current position, she was a Financial Advisor and Director of Financial Planning Operations at Thrivent Financial.
Sarah graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. She holds her Certified Financial Planner® and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designations. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling with her family, trying new restaurants, and attending concerts and sporting events
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Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
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About Heaven Robinson
She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Los Angles and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Heaven is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently resides in Alpharetta, GA.
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
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Investing
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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.
2When 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.
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5Alternative 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.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
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 and other legal matters.
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 and other legal matters.
8Morgan 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.
9Morgan 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.
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.
11Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
12Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
13Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
14Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.
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