Our Story and Services

Welcome to WGBC, the Wolf Goss Bernard Cooperman Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management with offices at 55 East 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan.

Our clients benefit from our team's combined 100 years of experience and wisdom in wealth planning and asset management for themselves and generations of their family members¹. We advise senior executives and bold founders of public and private companies, family offices, and professional money managers including private equity and venture firm partners.

We address the opportunities and challenges of significant liquidity events including tax efficient structuring and equity compensation matters, using both sides of the balance sheet to help optimize returns and minimize risk based on clients' risk appetite and return goals. We create a blueprint with each client, custom built in a collaborative, process-oriented approach.

Our sophistication and technical experience is a vital element for our clients' superior outcomes. Our collaboration within the team is our true point of differentiation. Our nine team members range in age from recent graduates of leading universities to seasoned investors with over four decades of investing and client portfolio and risk management experience. We manage money and risk, bringing investment excellence, operational and client service excellence, and day to day cash and liability management to every client relationship. We take great pride in not just our investment results, but the wisdom and care we bring to every aspect of their lives.


Accolades:
• Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025 (Forbes Best-In-State Advisors Source: Forbes.com) (Awarded April 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 6/30/23-6/30/24
• Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams 2024 (Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams Source: barrons.com) (Awarded May 2024) Data compiled by Barron’s for the period Jan 2023-Dec 2023


¹ Lisa Wolf – 35+ Years, Thomas Goss – 40+ Years, Jean-Baptiste Bernard – 20+ Years, Lora Cooperman – 19 Years
Capabilities
  • Comprehensive Wealth Management
  • Pre-liquidity Planning
  • Portfolio Management
  • Philanthropy Management
  • Single Family Office Services
  • Alternative InvestmentsFootnote1
  • Private Investments
  • Equity Compensation
  • 10b5-(1) Programs
  • Tax, Trust & Estate AdvisoryFootnote2
  • Cash Management & LendingFootnote3
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

About PWM

Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
  • Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
  • Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
  • Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
  • Approximately 350 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
  • Over $980 billion in AUM1
  • Comprising 23% of the Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams for 2024
  • Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, December, 2024

Source: Barron's.com (May 2024) 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams awarded in 2024. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron's and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

    Learn more
    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
    Learn more
    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
    Learn more
    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
    Learn more
    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

55 East 52nd St
Fl 29
New York, NY 10022
US

Meet Wolf/Goss/Bernard/Cooperman Group

About Lisa Wolf

Lisa Bjornson Wolf brings more than 35 years of institutional and non-profit investing and private wealth management experience serving her clients. Working with a small group of ultra-high net worth families and philanthropies, Lisa crafts portfolios and wealth plans based on each client’s specific short and long-term goals.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2016, Lisa spent 13 years at JPMorgan in both their Investment Bank and Asset Management divisions. Earlier in her career, she served as a Director in Institutional Equities at Salomon Smith Barney Citigroup.

A graduate of the Hotchkiss School, Lisa earned a B.A. cum laude from Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She went on to receive an M.S. in International Economics from Johns Hopkins University’s School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington D.C.

Lisa holds Morgan Stanley designations as a Family Wealth Director, Alternative Investments Director, Global Sports and Entertainment Director, and Lending Specialist designations. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and currently serves as a Trustee of Lotusland (Montecito, California) and on the Board of Governors of the Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT).

Lisa and her family reside in New York City and spend time in Santa Barbara, California, as well as Florida and Connecticut.
NMLS#: 821518

About Thomas E Goss, Jr.

Tom Goss is a Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor with the Wolf/Goss/Bernard/Cooperman Group at Morgan Stanley. Based in NYC, Tom has been providing investment advice to individuals and institutions for over 40 years. Tom began his career as a Financial Advisor at Shearson Loeb Rhodes after earning a BA from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Tom was in Institutional Equities as a Managing Director at BMO Capital Markets and Lehman Brothers, where he was responsible for leading teams and significant client relationships. Previous assignments included co-heading Cap Intro/Prime Brokerage and NY Research Sales at Lehman, Equity Sales at Bank of Montreal, as well as roles in Equity Syndicate at Paine Webber and Lehman in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong.

Today, Tom advises successful business executives, family offices, and philanthropies on structuring their investments, risk management, borrowing needs, and wealth preservation and planning. His particular focus is on investments, where he is a Portfolio Manager with the 399 Park Group.

Originally from Cleveland, Tom and his wife, Lib, live in Manhattan and enjoy spending time with their two grown children and many friends and community activities, including Kiawah and St. James’ Church.
Securities Agent: OH, KS, IL, GA, WA, SD, MA, LA, IN, WV, NY, KY, SC, NV, NM, NH, DE, RI, NJ, NC, ME, FL, WY, WI, MT, DC, CA, AK, VA, UT, PA, MN, MI, CO, TN, MO, VT, PR, NE, MD, CT, AZ, AR, TX, OR; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1610609

About Jean-Baptiste Bernard

Jean-Baptiste Bernard brings over 20 years of institutional and private wealth trading and investment experience, with a focus on risk management, asset allocation, and opportunistic strategies and solutions for our most sophisticated ultra-high new worth clients.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Jean-Baptiste was at JPMorgan in NY as U.S. Head of Currencies and Commodities and subsequently as an Investment Specialist with the elite Global Families Group, providing advice and solutions to sophisticated family offices around the world.

Jean-Baptiste began his career as a global macro trader at several well-known hedge funds. He graduated from CEFAM, the business school in Lyon, France.

Jean-Baptiste resides in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Securities Agent: NV, OH, RI, FL, WA, VA, NC, ME, DE, CO, CA, IN, VI, OR, TX, PA, ND, MD, MA, CT, NY, NJ, MI, IL, WY, SD, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2091581

About Lora Cooperman

Lora Cooperman brings more than 16 years of private wealth management experience to helping ultra-high net worth families manage, invest, and structure their wealth. In this capacity, she creates custom wealth management plans tailored to each client’s needs with a focus on strategies around public and private investing, credit and liquidity needs, charitable giving, and trust and estate planning strategies for entrepreneurs, executives of public companies, and financial principals.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2019, Lora spent 12 years at JPMorgan Asset Management as a Private Banker.

Originally from Maine, Lora graduated from Bowdoin College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government & legal studies. While at Bowdoin, she earned honors as a three-time NCAA All-American, team captain, and Division III National Champion Finalist in women’s basketball. She was recently inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, Bowdoin College Athletic Hall of Honor, and the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lora served as a board member of The Arthur Project and is an active supporter of other charitable organizations benefiting children. She resides in New York City with her husband and twin girls.
NMLS#: 821443

About Christopher Hart, CFA

Chris Hart brings more than 8 years of experience in the financial services industry managing portfolios and creating custom strategies tailored to help meet clients’ long term investment goals. Primarily working with sophisticated high net worth clients, Chris works to understand clients’ needs and designs asset allocations that are appropriate for each client.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2025, Chris spent 4 years working at the JPMorgan Private Bank as an investment specialist for family wealth. Chris spent the first 4 years of his career at Gabelli Funds, working on both the hedge fund and mutual fund teams.

Chris graduated from Brunswick School and went on to earn a BSBA in economics from Wesleyan University. Chris earned his CFA charter in 2023 and is involved in the CFA Society both in New York and nationally.

Originally from Darien Connecticut, Chris lives in midtown Manhattan and spends his free time visiting family, playing racquet sports like squash and padel, and learning how to cook new dinner recipes.
Securities Agent: AZ, HI, TN, PA, OK, NC, MA, DE, RI, OR, MN, KY, KS, IA, VT, SC, NV, NE, MO, VI, VA, TX, NJ, ME, MD, IL, ID, WV, MT, MI, FL, NM, AK, PR, CT, CA, WA, UT, NH, LA, IN, GA, DC, CO, AL, WI, MS, AR, WY, SD, OH, NY, ND; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2690006

About Jake Shulman

Jake Shulman is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2022 as a Financial Planning Specialist before joining the Wolf/Goss/Bernard/Cooperman Group.

An active investor since 2018, Jake has cultivated a deep understanding of the Equity and Fixed Income markets. His passion led him to pursue the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation through the Yale School of Management, which he has since earned.

Originally from Long Island, Jake now resides in Manhattan. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.

About Mary Grace Regan

Mary Grace Regan joined Morgan Stanley as a Client Service Associate after several years at JPMorgan Advisors, where she served ultra-high net worth clients on a nationally ranked team. Mary Grace focuses on all aspects of account opening and service as well as money movement and reporting.

Originally from the New York area, Mary Grace is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where she obtained a B.A. in Economics, a minor in Statistics, and was a member of the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society.

She holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities licenses and resides in NYC.

About Emmett de Kanter

Emmett de Kanter earned his B.A. in Biology at Harvard University, where he was president of his class, rowed varsity crew, studied in Seville, and was awarded for his commitment to community. He attended the Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut, where he grew up on campus, captained three sports, and won academic awards. Emmett is an avid reader, runner and rower, and resides in Manhattan.

Awards and Recognition

2
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

This is a video content

Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
You Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder
Article Image

You Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder

It’s important to determine how much money you may need to save for a comfortable retirement. Here are three strategies that can help you optimize your 401(k) plan.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
Tax-Smart Ways to Sell Securities
How investors can tap their portfolios in tax-savvy ways.

Tax-Smart Ways to Sell Securities

Realizing profits seems like the best part of investing, but taxes can add up. Our new analytics tool can help investors tap their portfolios in tax-savvy ways.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
You've Been Named Executor of a Parent's Will. Now What?
Article Image

You've Been Named Executor of a Parent's Will. Now What?

If you've been named as your parent's executor, you'll find it's a role with both emotional and administrative tasks. Here are some key guidelines.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
Article Image

Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
Article Image

You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career?and your money?is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here?s how.

Insights and Outcomes

Thought Leadership for our ultra high net worth clients, which contains thought-provoking articles, authored by leading experts from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s Playbook on Leadership and Values
Article Image

Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s Playbook on Leadership and Values

The renowned NFL wide receiver shares insights on aligning your investments with your values.

Managing Significant Wealth

  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Cash Management & Lending
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
  • Business Services
Compensation Practices of Investment-Focused Family Offices
Article Image

Compensation Practices of Investment-Focused Family Offices

Competitive compensation is key to attracting and retaining the best talent for your single family office. Discover the latest trends on relevant pay, benefits and bonus structures in Morgan Stanley's 2025 benchmarking report.

Private Wealth Management Podcast

Bringing you engaging stories and key insights surrounding the complexities associated with significant wealth, including:
  • Intergenerational Planning
  • Philanthropic Giving
  • Non-Traditional Assets
  • Managing Family Wealth
LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art
Article Image

LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art

When a passion for collecting evolves into something of considerable value, new issues are raised. Hear what the professionals have to say about the best practices and pitfalls of collecting art and collectibles.
We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
1Alternative 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.

Back to top



2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and its affiliates and their employees (including Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors) are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any statements contained herein should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisor or attorney for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving personal trusts and estate planning.

Back to top



3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

Back to top



Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Morgan 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.

Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.

The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.

Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.

Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.

Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4237142 (02/2025)