The Swanson Group

Jonathan focuses on managing client relationships, portfolio construction, business development and working with multi-generational family business owners on their business succession, aggregating and managing liquid and illiquid personal balance sheet exposures, and charitable endeavors. Jonathan also leads the team’s investment decisions related to private capital strategies.

Jonathan joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management (PWM) in 2011 after six years in New York City, where he started his career in the institutional capital markets division of Bear Stearns. Immediately prior to joining the Morgan Stanley PWM team, Jonathan served as a senior manager research analyst at Titan Advisors, a $6 billion hedge fund and private capital investment management firm now based in Stamford, CT. At Titan, Jonathan was a member of the firm’s eight-person manager selection committee and performed due diligence on hundreds of emerging and established alternative investment managers during his time there.

Jonathan received his B.S. in business and economics from Lehigh University, where he graduated cum laude. He also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation, as well as the Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designation, which he obtained at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. 

Outside the office, Jonathan previously served as a trustee at Rock in Prevention and Ex-Officio Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Presently, Jonathan serves on the Boards of Youth Standing Strong (YSS), the independent school (Bergman Academy), and is the Investment Committee Chair and Board Member at Dowling Catholic High School.

Jon lives in Des Moines with his wife (Chelsea), daughter (Sloane), and twin boys (Perry and Sutton). In his free time, Jonathan enjoys time with his family, reading, eating good food, music and playing tennis/pickleball.

Rachel focuses on assisting clients in reviewing and updating investment policy statements, determining strategic asset allocation and working with complex multi-generational families with their investment, estate, trust and tax planning strategies, and philanthropic initiatives. She also leads the team’s investment decisions related to fixed-income asset allocation strategy and manager selection. 

With more than 40 years in the institutional and capital markets business, Rachel applies her extensive industry knowledge to the management of client portfolios. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management (PWM) in 2014, she co-managed a $12 billion institutional private fixed-income portfolio on behalf of what is now the Apollo Group. In addition, she gained experience in private equity and corporate finance from her time at Cybus Capital Markets in Des Moines, where she served as an owner/partner.

Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Williams College and completed an executive education program in business administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, she holds the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Iowa. 

Outside the office, Rachel is the immediate past president of the board of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation. Other past non-profit board service included treasurer of the Homestead Living and Learning Center, treasurer of the Chrysalis Foundation and board member for Iowa Public Television. She has also served as a board member of Zygogen, a private biotechnology company.

Rachel and her husband, Jim Lawson, live in Des Moines. In her free time, she enjoys many outdoor activities and is an avid swimmer, runner, biker and occasional triathlete.

Neil has over 20 years of investment experience. Prior to joining Graystone, Neil managed numerous institutional client relationships at Mercer and Summit Strategies, concentrating in working with a variety of institutional client types (Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit, and Endowment & Foundations).

Neil has extensive experience constructing customized portfolios aligned with an organization’s time horizon, spending needs, risk tolerance, liquidity constraints, and mission. He advises client in areas such as strategic asset allocation, manager selection, private markets implementation, governance best practices, and operational needs. Neil approaches client relationships with an extension of staff mindset, augmenting investment programs through donor/stakeholder engagement and education. He sources and diligences impact investments aligned with clients’ mission. Neil began his career at Bear Stearns on the Structured Equity Products desk, trading equity swaps.

Earned bachelors degree in History from the University of Michigan

Neil works out of Graystone’s Saint Louis, Missouri office where he you can find Neil at the local gym, and spending time with his wife and four children

Focusing on Ultra High Net Worth families, private business owners and corporate executives, Michael is the M&A, valuation, operations and capital solutions lead for the Graystone –West Des Moines team. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was an engineer with Dell and Honeywell, provided asset valuation services for Hilco and executed sell-side investment banking transactions at Lincoln International. As an investment banker, operator and engineer, Michael has a vast network of consultative resources within M&A and a deep, intimate knowledge of how to run a process and maximize value. As the son of a business owner who ultimately sold, he has personal experience with the impact these events have on breadwinners and their families. He believes that in addition to conventional asset diversification, wealth management should involve optimizing a company’s potential prior to sale while minimizing the demands on family.

Michael received his M.B.A. in Analytical Finance and Economics from The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Michael and his wife, Claudia, live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL with their daughter, Ceneca.

Elizabeth comes to Morgan Stanley after spending 13+ years at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. She held a variety of roles spanning their asset management, retirement, and insurance business divisions. During her time there, she gained deep expertise in relationship management, product management, and analytics where she built a strong foundation in both client experience and business strategy. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to connect strategic goals with meaningful outcomes.

Outside of work, Elizabeth lives in Urbandale, Iowa with her husband Scott and 10-year-old son Grayson. They enjoy family vacations, being outdoors, and getting to spend time at their family farm.

Dan is responsible for universal, top-down portfolio construction, as well as for the group's macroeconomic, geopolitical and capital markets research efforts. His capital markets research is pulled from both external and proprietary resources, and is integrated into the group's investment strategies for all clients. In his analyst capacity, Dan employs a dynamic, hands-on approach to manager selection and asset allocation analytics across client portfolios. He has directed the team's strategic portfolio rebalancing efforts for over a decade, and guides our asset allocation recommendations. Dan graduated with a B.S. in business marketing from Marist College, and has been with the team for over 20 years.

Reed is responsible for performance reporting, portfolio construction, and investment manager due diligence. Working with other members of the team he works in developing the group’s views on the macroeconomic environment and capital markets research. He also works in developing & implementing the group’s business development strategy.

Reed joined in the team in 2020 after graduating from Drake University with a B.S.B.A in Accounting & Finance. Outside of work Reed enjoys being outdoors, golfing, football, and spending time with family.

I leverage 25+ years of experience in fund development, marketing, board service, donor cultivation, and non-profit strategy in my role with the team. With decades of advancement and donor cultivation experience, I assist families with maximizing impact and tax-efficient giving strategies.

I have managed annual funds, capital campaigns, initiated a major gifts program, served on community boards and worked as an Advancement Director. In my role as a Client Service Associate, I bring best practice strategies to our team for non-profit institutions and affluent families in matters related to board development, donor cultivation and capital campaigns/annual funds. I am also responsible for advancing the team’s marketing and community development initiatives.

Deb joined 2017 and brings over 20 years of financial services experience to our clients. She works to streamline processes and provide an exceptional service experience. Prior to her current position, Deb worked as a practice manager for another financial services firm. Born and raised in Des Moines, Deb received her Associate of Arts degree in business administration from Grand View University and her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University.

Katie joined the team in 2025 as a client service associate. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa.

Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, yoga, traveling, and cheering on the Hawkeyes

Tom brings over 20 years in finance and wealth management support to our team. After graduating from Augustana College, he spent the first decade of his career at JPMorgan Chase throughout Chicagoland before moving to Denver and joining Wells Fargo Private Bank. After relocating to Des Moines in 2022, he pivoted his career to the investment side with Merrill Lynch where he became fully registered and fostered a resolve to be part of something greater within Private Wealth Management and institutional investing. Happy to be back in the heartland (and thrilled with the soft landing within the Swanson Group), his focus here is facilitating the operational component of our business and creating a seamless experience within all facets of our clients’ relationship.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys a good book, song, or movie (as long as it doesn’t ruin the book) as well as hiking, biking, and lounging with his wife, dog, and chickens.