Those skills now serve her well as Senior Analyst and Chief of Staff for Morgan Stanley’s Western Region, where she works alongside other senior regional leaders to drive cohesion, performance and growth. From her base in Los Angeles, she leads a cross-functional team supporting sales, service and risk, and helps colleagues tap into the full spectrum of the firm’s resources.
Her approach is grounded in one simple belief: empower people and good things happen. She’s recognized for strengthening collaboration, streamlining performance and quietly inspiring those around her with humility, inclusivity and high standards. She challenges team members to step beyond their roles and prepares them for leadership long before they realize they’re ready.
“Inspiring others to grow is the most fulfilling part of my career,” says Jen, proud to have been named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, Class of 2025—a distinction for innovators and champions of inclusion, nominated by peers across the firm.
APPRENTICESHIP ETHIC
Jen’s path wasn’t always aimed at finance. She studied international relations and earned a master’s in public policy from Pepperdine University, spending semesters abroad in France and post-apartheid South Africa to examine democracy in action. She thought she’d end up at a think tank or nonprofit—but the financial reality of student loan bills changed that plan.
She landed a job in operations at Smith Barney, prior to its acquisition by Morgan Stanley, and discovered something surprising: she loved it. From there, she earned her licenses, moved through client service and leadership roles and ultimately found her calling delivering results through collaboration with a high-performing regional team—a post she calls “the best job at Morgan Stanley.”
Over the past decade in regional roles, she’s embraced the firm’s “apprenticeship culture,” learning alongside seasoned colleagues while always pushing to try new ideas and shape the culture for the better.
THE CURIOUS COACH
Her proudest initiatives center around talent development for her region, including the creation of a comprehensive training program for new administrators and the launch of a leadership development program to equip current and future talent with both strategy and confidence. She also collaborates with various partners to deliver tools and content to help advisors build their practices and leverage the firm’s vast resources to their fullest potential.
At the core of all this is coaching. “I’ve had great coaches, and I believe in paying that forward,” Jen says. Her coaching philosophy is hands-on and empowering: “Invite people to the table, ask questions and let them find the answers,” she adds. “Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing how to find what you need and helping others do the same.”
One of her favorite quotes, from author Alice Walker, reflects her outlook: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” But Jen knows “each of us, regardless of title or role, has the ability to shape and influence others.” Leading with curiosity, she adds, “is a great first step to understanding a person’s motivation, goal, and purpose. After that, it’s about guiding that understanding toward making an impact, whether an incremental gain or transformational work.”
Curious by nature, Jen is a connector and problem-solver who loves tracking down context to help her team succeed. She believes in understanding the “why” behind every project and in spotting hidden connections that make people—and teams—stronger.
Source: morganstanley.com
