Managing Your Life & Money – Tools to Reach Financial Freedom

Money is one of those topics that can be hard to talk about, but it’s an area that can cause a lot of stress. Join NAHJ's webinar with The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. Their team will share tools you can begin to use now that will serve you no matter what salary you’re earning. You’ll get tips on balancing your budget and hear why it’s never too early to think about your financial future.

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – 1 PM PST / 4 PM EST

MODERATOR: James Cotto, Managing Director, Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor, The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley
PANELISTS:
Marisa Acosta, Financial Advisor, Financial Planning Specialist, The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

Serena Hernandez, Client Service Associate; The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley
Alexa Irias, Wealth Management Rotational Analyst, The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

REGISTER HERE

This session is open only to current NAHJ members. Join or Renew here.

SPEAKERS:

Marisa Acosta

Marisa Acosta is a Financial Advisor and a Financial Planning Specialist at the Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. She was brought onto The Cotto Wealth Management Group at the firm to work with non-profit, philanthropic, and Hispanic organizations. As a Latina in finance, she takes pride in empowering her community to achieve financial independence.

Marisa is the financial planner on the team where she works closely with clients to create holistic financial plans to gain a better understanding of her client’s needs to help accomplish and maintain their goals. Through her comprehensive planning process, she often begins with a discovery call to assess a client’s current financial situation and their goals to figure out what they want and need now and, in the future, to collaborate on achieving the client’s goals. Additionally, she leverages Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art resources to uniquely map out a client’s plan and manage it with ongoing, comprehensive planning, everyday financial and liquidity management, and investment advice.

Marisa is a Graduate from Sarah Lawrence College where she received a Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in ecological economics. She holds Series 7 and Series 66 financial securities licenses. She is based in Brooklyn, New York and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is an avid runner and is currently excited to be running the New York Marathon in 2023.

Serena Hernandez 

Serena Hernandez serves as a Client Service Associate at the Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. She was brought onto The Cotto Wealth Management Team to work with philanthropic, sports and entertainment, and high net worth individuals and organizations. As a Latina, she is passionate about financial literacy and economic empowerment. Serena works with the organizations regarding event planning, formulating fundraising strategies, and sponsorships. She also oversees day-to-day operational tasks for the team, like managing the team calendar. In addition, Serena works closely with the financial advisors in strategic planning, supporting the management of business opportunities, and works to implement strategies and best practices.

Serena is a graduate of Cornell University, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a minor in Education. She received a Certificate of Business of Entertainment from Columbia Business School and a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She is also member of Delta Gamma Fraternity, a women’s organization. Serena currently resides in New York City and enjoys reading, baking, and dancing.
 

Alexa Irias

Alexa Irias is a Wealth Management Rotational Analyst working with The Cotto Wealth Management Group at the Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York.  On the team, she provides ongoing support in the team-wide effort to organize, streamline and enhance the client experience with our non-profit, philanthropic, and Hispanic organizations. In addition, Alexa develops presentation materials and proposals to assist Financial Advisors in cultivating new business opportunities. Prior to this role, Alexa rotated through the Private Banking Digital Mortgage Group, and Wealth Management Diversity & Inclusion Team, gaining a holistic view of the Morgan Stanley’s ecosystem from an advisor, technology, and client standpoint.

Alexa is a graduate of Cornell University, with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations and minors in Business, and Inequality Studies. She is passionate about helping underrepresented communities through financial empowerment. Alexa currently resides in New York City and her hobbies include trying out new fitness classes, listening to pocasts, and crocheting.

James Cotto

James Cotto is a Managing Director – Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor at The Cotto Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. He built his practice by providing entrepreneurs and other clients with the guidance they need to pursue financial independence for themselves and financial sustainability for the philanthropic organizations most important to them. James’ growing, diverse team of next gen Latinos and women collaboratively work together to serve clients of unique segments such as high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, professional athletes and entertainers, special purpose acquisition companies, endowments, foundations, and more.

James began his career in the financial services industry in 1988 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. Throughout his time at Morgan Stanley, James received various designations and titles, including Family Wealth Director, Global Sports and Entertainment Director, Corporate Client Director, Portfolio Management Director, International Client Advisor, Workplace Advisor - Equity Compensation, and Lending Specialist – these are a direct reflection of his knowledge and offerings to better serve clients with a suite of tailor-made solutions. His mission is to help clients design, scale, and deliver on their business and personal goals while giving back to their community.

James has developed a global understanding and approach to assisting his domestic and international clientele in navigating the financial markets by offering key insights to achieve financial success. He provides a comprehensive approach to reviewing his client’s current finances, future objectives, and potential barriers to develop a holistic plan that encompasses every aspect of one financial well-being, including investment and lending strategies, estate planning, philanthropy management, and more.

James’ clients value his honest and integrity-based approach. At the Cotto Wealth Management Group, he and his team pridefully take a thoughtful approach in all manners concerning their clients and educating them on their financial journey. He built his practice based on long-standing relationships and kind referrals, which indicates his clients’ appreciation of his unique skill set, global perspective, and overall experience.

James is recognized for his commitment to various causes, whether it’s helping clients achieve their purposeful endeavors or being on the ground giving back to his community directly. He is a distinguished member of the Advisory Council for Maestro Cares Foundation, Corporate Board of Governors (CBOG), Member for The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), The Latino U Scholars Program, The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), The Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation, and more.

James received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and resides in Cross River, New York. He enjoys spending quality time with his family in Nantucket, MA with his three adult children, Carol, Ray. Amd Lucy, and his three dogs.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Leslie-Anne Frank, Director of Next Gen Initiatives. We hope to see you soon virtually!

 


NAHJ Member Services
#NAHJTraining | 
#MoreLatinosinNews