The Vantage Group at Morgan Stanley

Arash Nassi is a Financial Advisor and founding member of The Vantage Group at Morgan Stanley.  Arash has earned the reputation of providing highly customized advice to high net worth individuals, multi-generational families and real estate investors in the greater Los Angeles area and across the country. 

Arash learned at an early age the importance of determination, tenacity and financial independence. It was at the University of California, Berkeley where he took a number of business and history courses while studying molecular and cell biology, that he discovered his true calling for finance. Arash began his career in wealth management as a Financial Advisor at UBS in 2007. He became a member of the Morgan Stanley family in 2009 and has been a vital member of the firm’s Beverly Hills office ever since.

As a Financial Advisor and Managing Director, Arash offers a distinct portfolio management approach that sets his practice apart. Considered a fundamental investor, he targets high quality domestic and international stocks with a healthy balance sheet and strong cash flow for the core portfolio he manages. He takes pride in his ability to take complex financial concepts and effectively communicate them to his clients. He thrives on teaching his clients how the market works and how to be successful investors.

Arash’s passion for helping his clients is equaled only by his dedication to family and community. He currently lives in the Pacific Palisades with his wife, Sheila, and their three children, Sophia, Phoenix and Hendrix. A strong believer in “giving back,” Arash is a member of Farhang Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and a strong supporter of the Weingart Center. When he’s not helping clients or the many organizations he supports, you can find Arash spending quality time with family and friends. Favorite leisure activities include working out, yoga, surfing and travel.

Driven by a passion for finance, Tom Taylor has spent the past ten years refining his research skills and studying the workings of the global economy. Combining his own talents and experience with the vast resources of Morgan Stanley, Tom supports the team’s clients and Advisors in the creation, implementation and maintenance of highly customized portfolios. Often working closely with the firm’s capital markets and alternative investment desks, he plays a key analytical role in the team’s investment selection process and trading activities. Tom generates innovative ideas and seeks investment opportunities for the team’s clients while adhering to a strong investment philosophy, process and discipline.

Tom began his career at Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Consultant in 2012 while he was studying Finance at the University of Arizona. After graduation, he transitioned to the Brokerage Desk at Vanguard where he gained experience in the capital markets. Tom joined the Vantage Group team in 2015.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys golf, hockey, snowboarding, surfing and mountain biking.

As our Chief of Staff, Nina oversees all administrative and operational functions of the Vantage Group. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Nina serves as a liaison between the team’s Financial Advisors and support staff, helping to maintain an exceptional, boutique-style service experience for each of our team’s clients.

Nina is also among the select few professionals who has earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor^® certification from the Investments & Wealth Institute at the Yale School of Management.

Born and raised in Russia, Nina speaks English and Russian, and is starting to learn Hebrew. She completed her Masters’ Degree in Philology at Udmurt State University in Russia. She and her husband live in Northridge, California, where they spend weekends enjoying activities with their three children.

Tom joins The Vantage Group as an Executive Director, bringing over two decades of experience originating customized lending solutions for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. In this role, he serves as a senior lending specialist and relationship manager on our team, working closely with our clients to offer the full range credit products and solutions that Morgan Stanley has to offer. Tom also contributes to the relationship management and new business development across the team.

Prior to joining us, Tom was a Senior Lending Transactor who led the Ultra High Net Worth Tailored Lending Team at Morgan Stanley Private Bank for the southern Pacific Coast Region. He specialized in complex credit transactions backed by assets such as commercial real estate, marketable securities, aircraft, life insurance, fine art and privately held business interests. His lending experience spans both secured and unsecured solutions crafted to help meet the nuanced needs of sophisticated clients.

Tom began his career at JPMorgan and Merrill Lynch, followed by a 12-year tenure at Citi Private Bank before joining Morgan Stanley in 2016. He holds a degree in Finance from Seton Hall University and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University. Tom lives in Sherman Oaks with his wife and son, and is an avid skier who enjoys spending his free time in Mammoth.

Ashi Shah joined The Vantage Group in 2025 as Business Development Director, leading client relationship management and driving business development for the team’s comprehensive wealth management practice. With over 15 years of experience serving domestic and international clients - including institutional and private wealth clients, foundations, corporations, senior executives, and entrepreneurs - Ashi brings a global perspective and deep financial acumen to her role. She is responsible for cultivating new business opportunities, enhancing the visibility of the team’s and the firm’s capabilities, and strengthening relationships with current and prospective clients. Acting as a strategic liaison between clients, the team, and the broader Morgan Stanley network, Ashi leverages her background in financial planning to deliver personalized solutions and an exceptional client experience. She also leads initiatives to represent The Vantage Group within the community and industry.

Ashi began her career as a Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where she developed customized strategies by integrating research and financial insights. In 2011, she joined Merrill Lynch as a junior partner with a wealth management group in Austin, Texas, focusing on women entrepreneurs and tech executives. She relocated to New York City in 2014 to partner with a Private Wealth Management team at Morgan Stanley, and in 2025, she became an integral member of The Vantage Group.

Ashi holds the FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses. She earned her B.A. in Finance and Economics from Westminster College. Passionate about financial education and empowerment, she is a member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and actively involved with Junior Achievement of New York, leading initiatives focused on NextGen and women. Ashi currently resides in Dallas and enjoys traveling, the arts, and skiing in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Elian Ohebshalom brings a unique combination of professional experience, educational achievement and community involvement to the service of the team’s clients. Her background as a practicing attorney (currently non-practicing) and nonprofit leader prepared her to help affluent families with their trust and estate planning, legacy planning and philanthropic strategy.

After graduating from UCLA and earning her J.D, at Southwestern Law School, Elian practiced law for several years in Los Angeles. Seeking greater purpose in her professional life, she went on to work at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles as Director of Engagements. Her focus was primarily on homeless issues and education for children from low-income families. She developed an interest in wealth management working with the United Way’s board members and ultra high net worth donors, and she joined the team at Morgan Stanley in 2014.

Dedicated to helping women tap into their power, Elian and Jenny Kim co-chair the Women’s Salon Series, an educational initiative designed to help successful women make well-informed financial decisions and take control of their financial lives. Elian is also still passionately involved in her philanthropic pursuits, playing an active role at the Weingart Center Association and Sinai Akiba Academy. Elian and husband live in West LA with their three children. In her few free hours, she enjoys reading and traveling.

A member of the Vantage Group since 2018, Aria Olia supports the team’s Advisors in efforts to deliver an exceptional service experience. As Head of Client Relations for the team, Aria plays a central role in the onboarding of new clients and is responsible for an extensive range of operational duties. Often the first point of contact, he always ensures that client needs are met, and that requests are addressed promptly and accurately. He works closely with the firm’s compliance and risk divisions to help ensure all internal and external client related activities follow the highest standard of privacy and security.

A SoCal native, Aria moved east to attend Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. While in college, Aria served as an orientation leader and was involved with Greek life as a member of Alpha Tau Omega. His first exposure to the financial services industry was working as an intern at Bridge Bank. Aria is fluent in Farsi as well as English, bringing an international orientation to his work.

Aria enjoys tennis, reading, and playing the piano. He also spends time working at the nonprofit organization he founded, Flowers Take2, which delivers flowers to elderly people in hospitals, care facilities, and hospices in the OC.

With a strong foundation in accounting and finance, Austin brings a client-centric approach to his role as a Client Service Associate of The Vantage Group.

Previously, he served as a Senior Accounting Analyst at William Morris Endeavor (WME).

His experience in high-paced, detail-oriented environments has helped his ability to navigate complex financial matters with precision and efficiency.

Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in both Accounting and Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno. During his academic tenure, he was an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, a national honors organization dedicated to fostering excellence in the accounting and finance fields. He also volunteered with Senior Outreach Services (SOS), providing financial guidance and support to senior citizens, an experience that reinforced his commitment to service and financial empowerment.

Beyond his professional experience, Austin’s values discipline, strategic thinking, and an active lifestyle. A native of Oahu, Hawaii, he enjoys outdoor activities such as running and hiking, maintaining a deep appreciation for balance and well-being. In his downtime, he finds relaxation in competitive board games and spending time with his family.

Driven, detail-oriented, and dedicated to delivering exceptional service, Austin is committed to fostering strong client relationships and fostering financial clarity in every interaction.