The Zislin Group at Morgan Stanley

Merle has been developing and implementing wealth management strategies in the investment industry to uniquely successful individuals, families, and business for 40 years with Morgan Stanley.

Her multi-generational financial planning includes developing and implementing broad investment strategies that are customized to reflect each client’s unique needs. Through the financial planning process, she can help you access your financial complexities and needs and develop strategies that are designed to help you achieve your goals and strengthen your financial security. Within Morgan Stanley, she holds the internal designations of Insurance Planning Director, Alternative Investments Director, and Family Wealth Advisor. Her goal is to cultivate deep long-lasting relationships by providing her clients exceptional experiences. She is someone who makes a difference in people’s lives. Her focus also includes a special emphasis on empowering women.

Merle is a member of the MAKERS Class of 2023, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, a national organization that recognizes leaders within various industries who are committed to helping and mentoring to make a difference and serve as advocates, innovators, and groundbreakers, for women advancement in the workplace.

Merle has been acknowledged for exceptional performance and dedication to clients as a Morgan Stanley club member since 1992. Merle is a member of the Master’s Club. In additional to demonstrating leadership through best practices of wealth management, Morgan Stanley club members must satisfy all other aspects of job performance, conduct, and compliance standards. She is a former member of Morgan Stanley's National FA Advisory Council, a select group of top financial advisors and senior management who represent all financial advisors in the firm on industry matters.

She was recognized by Forbes list of "America's Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" (2018-2023), Forbes named in the top 100 "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" (2017- 2023), Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors 2020- 2023. Merle was also named in the top 100 list of Working Mother’s Magazine, “Top Wealth Advisor Moms" in 2017- 2021. The Zislin Group at Morgan Stanley was named to Forbes list of "Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams" (2023). Receiving these prestigious awards by Forbes is a testament to Merle and her Team’s experience, professionalism, and dedication to their clients.

Merle believes in giving back to the community by being active in those that share her passions. Merle is a strong supporter of our Nation’s servicemen and servicewomen. She volunteers for Honor Flight and Freedom Fighter Outdoors, an organization that supports injured veterans providing once in a lifetime fishing adventures and outdoor activities. Her family team is passionate in providing financial advice and planning to Military Veterans and First Responders.
She has been a mentor and leader within Morgan Stanley and her community and has had a positive influence on so many over the years.

Balancing a family life with her husband Scott, two sons, Michael and Christopher and her daughter Jennifer takes a creative approach. Merle is an avid reader, and she enjoys fishing, boating, and hiking. She is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Mixed Martial Arts.


2017-2023 Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded02017-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.


2018-2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2017-2022 Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research's Top Wealth Advisor Moms
Source: Workingmother.com (Awarded October 2017-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was given.


Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2023) 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/21-3/31/22.

Morgan 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 https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf

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A South Florida native, Michael attended Cardinal Gibbons High School. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance, both from Nova Southeastern University. Michael currently lives in Lighthouse Point, FL.

Before joining Morgan Stanley, Michael owned and operated a marine consulting company for over 10 years. He managed many private yachts, maintained boats, and ran private fishing charters. Michael also fished commercially and sold fish to the local seafood distributors and wholesalers. Michael has also been coaching high school swimming for numerous years.

Away from work, Michael actively contributes to many non-profit organizations such as Freedom Fighter Outdoors, The Boys and Girls Club, The Cliff Floyd Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity. His hobbies include fishing, diving, boating, hunting, and spending time with his family. Michael’s previous work endeavors and community involvement have helped him build a strong foundation for his career as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley.

Jennifer provides clients with personalized wealth management guidance by creating extensive financial plans to help them and their families prepare for the future. She uses these financial plans to help create a roadmap for the clients and optimizes the data to help achieve the best probability of success. Jennifer views exceptional service as her top priority. She brings a wealth of knowledge of day-to-day operations needed to run a well-organized business.

Jennifer graduated with honors from the University of North Florida with a B.A. in Business Finance and holds the Series 7, SIE, Series 63, and Series 65 Licenses. Jennifer also holds the Financial Planning Specialist Designation. She is a volunteer and proud supporter of FFO Freedom Fighter Outdoors supporting veterans and she enjoys volunteering for animal rescue organizations. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys swimming, boating, and spending time with family and friends. Jennifer’s favorite sport teams include the Flyers and the 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Les joined Morgan Stanley as a Senior Vice President in April 2023, after serving as a fixed income advisor the previous 25 years with a family-owned investment firm. A native Floridian, Les graduated with honors from Florida State University, and started his career as a C.P.A. with Price Waterhouse. He then worked as the C.F.O. for two large real estate developers in south Florida before becoming a financial advisor in 1997.

Les is active in his community, serving as past Chairman and long-time board member for Junior Achievement of South Florida (“JA”), which teaches financial literacy and entrepreneurship to students in our community. He remains active as a mentor for a JA student company program at Stoneman Douglas High School and is proud that his student team took 3rd place in JA’s National Company of the Year competition this summer.

He is an active member and serves on the board for the Rotary Club of Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. He also serves as a board member and Treasurer for LifeNet4Families, an organization which provides food and other services to homeless and food insecure members of our community.

Les and his wife Robin live in Coral Springs with their two dogs, Dexter and Lizzie, and are blessed that their children and four grandkids live in the area.

Before joining Morgan Stanley, Alex joined the insurance and financial planning industry right out of Flagler College where he received his B.A in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He prides himself in leaning the ins and outs of Medicare, the numerous life insurance vehicles that apply to various stages and legacy leaving goals, the value of Long term care, and the different investment vehicles that can go hand in hand with accomplishing one’s retirement goals.

He has his series 215, SIE, 7,6 and 66 exams and is very passionate about the continuous learning opportunities this industry provides as he has sights on eventually getting a CFA designation.

He provides operational and administrative support to the clients of The Zislin Group. He nurtures both new and existing client relationships by utilizing hard work and creativity to tackle special situations. In addition, he serves as a liaison between his Financial Advisor, clients and our back office team.

Alex enjoys spending his free time playing baseball, basketball, football and golf with his friends. He loves to watch the New York Yankees and Knicks play in their respected sports as he has been a lifelong fan of these two teams. Although he was born in Long Island, NY he will claim to be born in New York but raised here in South Florida. He is very avid about his own and everybody around his personal growth and loves to give his time and energy back into the community by attending charity events as most of his immediate family are proud civil servants.