Sue van der Linden Senior VP, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley

Last month, I had the privilege of attending the Forum in Austin TX. This is a unique event in the wealth management business because it's comprised entirely of Morgan Stanley advisors, getting together of their own accord, to teach, to learn, and to make each other better at our craft. This is the occasion where I rejuvenate professionally by networking with successful colleagues, exchanging ideas, and brainstorming how to handle the challenges we face with our clients. This is the original "by advisors, for advisors" group. And there's nothing like it anywhere else.

Congratulations to Forum Chair for an absolute home run of a conference. Speakers and topics were all on point. I'm only sad I couldn't borrow Hermione Granger's time turner to go to multiple sessions.

Thank you to and the PMI Board of Directors for everything you do to keep this gem of an organization running and doing such great work for our members. Thank you also to , , , , and for joining us from New York, and lending your unwavering support to PMI. Thank you to all our peers who shared their "secret sauce" on a variety of topics. And thank you to our vast array of education partners, who so willingly shared their intellectual capital and ideas. Being best in class is what it's all about!

During the conference, I had the honor of presenting the Bill Eager Award. Plus I got an award for completing three terms on the Board, which was truly a labor of love. On top of the learning, we managed to have a little fun. But we definitely melted in the Texas heat and humidity on our early morning "walks" with . But like on previous walks, we got so much done before 7am. Thank goodness next year is in Newport Beach CA, where the weather is always perfect. Caroline, front lobby, 6am, I'll be there with my walking shoes on!

June is PRIDE Month. And today is International Pride Day. So this goes out to all of our family members, friends, clients, and colleagues in the LGBTQIA+ community.

We see you. We hear you. We love you. We are here for you.

Last year, I took an online class offered by the Finnish government on Happiness. One of the things they recommended was getting out in nature, in natural sunlight, for about 20 minutes, first thing every day. So with a national park in my front yard, I thought I'd put the suggestion to the test. I took an entire month, and went for a walk in the woods every morning — before the sun, before coffee, before most everything.

Well, the experiment is now complete (thankfully before the heat wave hit the east coast), and I have to admit, after a month of doing it, that being out among the trees, hearing the birds waking up (probably to go to the feeders in my back yard), and stopping by the Park Police stables to say "hello" to the horses there, really puts me in a good mental space.

The photograph I offer to belatedly mark World Nature Photography Day is a little different. It's not nature in the park context. It's more urban. And it isn't one of my own, but it's one I love. It's one of my daughter's photos from her semester abroad last fall, when the class went to Morocco. This was taken while walking the streets of Chefchouen, with one of her favorite nature subjects — a cat.

There’s nothing like the energy in a room full of women! Each year, I look forward to the Forbes|Shook Top Women Advisor Summit. It’s an invitation-only opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues throughout the wealth management business, who have a shared perspective as women in a male-dominated business. The really interesting thing is how everyone has charted their own, authentic course. And how in spite of the challenges that this business can throw at you, these ladies remain un-jaded, ever willing to share their insights, and always up for a brainstorming session on just about anything.

Thank you to Liz, RJ, and the teams at SHOOK Research and Forbes, who took up the challenge of evaluating financial advisors on more than just raw numbers. To them, it’s about making a difference in clients’ lives — a goal which we share.

Here’s to another fabulous conference next year, perhaps even as presenters…

May is ALS Awareness Month, and it’s particularly meaningful for me. As many of you know, my father had ALS. It’s the most cruel disease because it leaves all your senses and your mind intact, while slowly robbing your body of its physical abilities.

My dad was an amazing person: both smart and wise. He always encouraged me to do more, aspire to more, be more. That was a pretty radical idea for a girl in the early 70s to hear. As a young girl, I couldn’t have my own bank account because I was a woman (and also because I was a minor). But my father marched me off to the bank every Saturday morning to deposit the earnings I had made from babysitting and my paper route over the previous week, and to get those funds invested. Those lessons of independence, and financial self-sufficiency still ring true. And it’s something I work hard to help clients achieve for themselves.

My MBA graduation was the last big event we did before his symptoms started to kick in. So he got to see the start of the long path that I’ve been on for the past 30-ish years. But I’m sad that he didn’t get to see all that my team and I have accomplished, helping others gain their own financial footholds. I’m proud of the legacy he leaves in me, in my daughter, and in those we help every day.

It’s now nearly 30 years since my father lost his battle with ALS. And when he did, some of the researchers told me they expected meaningful progress within five years. But here we are, still without a known cause, treatment, or cure. organizes the complex to participate in the Walk To Defeat ALS every fall, on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Here are a few snapshots of our crew last October, trekking in the rain.

I walk so one day we won’t have to. And that day can’t come soon enough.

I am thrilled to have carried the flag for the Bluestone Planning Group at this year’s Barron’s Teams Summit in Las Vegas. It’s an invitation only event that brings some of the top teams in the nation together to teach each other, and to provide new perspectives on how we can all best serve our clients.

Because we would never gamble with our clients’ success (see what I did there?) our team is continuously learning, and bringing that new knowledge to bear for our clients’ benefit. Barron’s Teams is a chance for us to learn about how to keep our team — and everyone on it — in top form. So while nothing is guaranteed, participating in conferences like this helps us keep the odds in our favor (Oh! I did it again!).

I have made many connections, both within and outside of my own firm at this event. I appreciate everyone’s willingness to share during the conference sessions, and the powerful conversations we have outside of sessions. Many thanks to Jack Otter and the crew at Barron's Advisor for all they do to make this conference such a success. Our team’s aspiration is to be presenters in the near future…

After lots of discussion, and reflection, and editing, we are proud to announce our new team brochure. We hope you share our enthusiasm for how it showcases our team members and our capabilities. It's our best description of who we are, what we do, and why someone should work with us. Please feel welcome to share it with your family, friends, and colleagues. It's also available on our website.

Take a look and let us know what you think.

https://livesocial.seismic.com/aWqlZt

Wishing everyone who celebrates a very Happy Easter!

I'm proud to be recognized by Forbes on their 2024 ranking of America's Top Women Wealth Advisors. This is about the difference we make in the lives of our clients and their families. It's an honor to be included. Thank you to Liz and RJ Shook for looking at the question differently, and providing a unique and much-needed perspective.

This would not be possible without two important groups of people: our clients, and our team. To our clients, thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. It is a privilege to be part of your life. To our team, thank you for making our practice a place of pride, joy, and excellence. What a way to kick off Women's History Month, by our woman-led team making a little history of our own.



(Source: Forbes (Awarded Feb 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 9/30/22-9/30/23. morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure)

We're proud to share that our team was recently profiled in the winter edition of Vogue magazine. Yes! That Vogue!

While we aren't super-models, our practice is a model for representation and inclusion. We're unique in that regard. That's something near and dear to me. It's hard to see yourself doing something when there's no one like you to help you visualize. How can you be an investor, when you don't see investors who look like you, who share your experience, who understand your perspective? Well, we do!

Money is a tool. But you can't access the opportunities that the tool of money brings if you don't have access to it. It's only during my lifetime that women have had the right to their own bank accounts, and the ability to borrow money on their own, all without a male co-signer. These are the things that give a woman agency — the ability to call her own shots in her own life.

It's thrilling to share the same pages as the super-models. It's even more thrilling to have Syrinda, Annmarie, and Ana on this journey with me. Here's to our being representative for an entire generation of women who can now see themselves as investors!

It's Women's History Month! And Bluestone Planning Group kicked things off by sponsoring a session at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce's Women's Leadership Summit, which Annmarie chaired. The energy with the attendees was electric. The topics were on point. And we met a lot of new friends.

The speaker our team sponsored was Ronalda Sullivan, who talked about how to Dream Differently. Her story is both powerful and relatable because we get stuck in our heads about how things are supposed to be. Then when they are different, we have to adjust our goals and expectations — our dreams — to fit the new reality.

It's a new year, a new day, and a new team member! Our team, The Bluestone Planning Group, is thrilled to share we've hired an additional Client Service Associate. Please join us in welcoming Danté R. Chesley to our team, giving us even more capacity to take care of our wonderful clients.

A native of southern Maryland, Danté has always been interested in the financial services arena. Most recently Danté worked at Convera as a Financial Investigator, but his interests have now led him to Morgan Stanley. Of additional note is Danté's experience working with the Small Business Administration (SBA), helping business owners identify and obtain the most appropriate corporate entity structure. Enjoying the presence of good people in his circle, he loves spending time with his friends and family, especially his wife and kids. Danté attributes his character and work ethic to being raised by his successful and loving parents, Roy and Jacklyn, who served in the military and federal government.

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome, Dante!

It's !

This is a demanding field. And sometimes we come home tired, late, or just plain cranky. Without the support of our spouses, we couldn't bring our best selves to the office, to serve our clients, and collaborate with our colleagues.

Sometimes that's them knowing when we need to turn in early. Sometimes it's bringing home take out so we don't have to cook. Sometimes it's driving a child back to school for move-in day on their own because I'm traveling.

So for those un-sung heroes of our business – our spouses – we say "thank you!" We couldn't do it without you.

BTW, this is Bob, dropping Rachael off at school in MA, where there's a good bit of snow on the ground, and temperatures are only in the 20s and 30s. It's an 8 hour drive each way. Meanwhile I was in FL presenting to my friends in the horse community in Wellington, where it was 65°.

Every year, the Equestrian Business Women get together for a networking brunch at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington FL. Some are professional equestrians, and others are enthusiastic amateurs, like me. But we all have a connection to the world of horses.

I've been going for several years now, and this year, they asked me to speak. Thank you to Jenn Connor and Jen Wood for having me. It was wonderful to see everyone, catch up with old friends, and make new connections.

And remember, building a portfolio is like training a horse: Start at the beginning. Don't skip steps. The basics are important. Making progress is a function of time in the saddle. And you'll never last at the upper levels if your foundation isn't firmly in place.

It's National Annie Day! So we wanted to give a shout out to our very own Annie – Annmarie Bilger. If you haven't had an opportunity to talk with her, she's a great resource on things like annuities, insurance, and retirement plans for your business. She's been in the business for over 25 years, and brings all that experience to bear for our clients.

https://livesocial.seismic.com/aawR-A

Happy New Year! We wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous new year!

What are your New Year traditions?

The Bluestone Planning Group wishes you a joyous holiday season, and a new year filled with good health and prosperity.

This year, I will be spending the holiday with my family, enjoying time together, baking lots of cookies, and going to visit the light displays around town.

How will you be spending this holiday season?

For family, for friends, for good health, we give thanks! !

Happy Veterans Day to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines – past and present. Thank you for your bravery, your service, and the example you set for us all.

Photo: My dad, Carl Stephenson, serving in the US Army in Germany, 1951-53

Another reason PMI Forum 2023 was special this year: We had so many of our Wednesday Women together in person! Since I missed Forum last year (because I had COVID), this was my first chance to see everyone live since the group was formed in early 2020.

The PMI Wednesday Women are a group of people who started getting together as a way to navigate the pandemic while we were all stuck at home. We shared ideas, laughed, cried, and generally kept each other sane.

As the covid threat subsided, we kept meeting because we found strength, and resources, and creativity in our common bond. And now, together in person, there was a power unleashed, unlike any I have seen. If you weren’t looking for it, you might have missed it. But it was there – strong, and fluid, and resonant. We networked with each other. We presented to our colleagues. We moderated discussions on topics relevant to us all. And we had a blast doing it.

When Forum 2024 takes place next June in Austin TX, the Wednesday Women will be four years old. It’s rewarding to know I had something to do with it. And it inspires confidence to know that a new maven has taken the helm. Here’s to many more seasons on collaborating, and supporting our sisters in financial services.

I went to PMI Forum in National Harbor MD, excited to chair the event, reconnect with my colleagues, and continue refining my craft. Even after 29 years in the business, there's always more to learn. During Forum, we heard from the Duke Lady Blue Devils basketball head coach Kara Lawson, and former-Marine combat aviator Vernice "Flygirl" Armour, with their incredibly inspiring messages about leadership and engagement.

During one of the dinners at Forum, I was presented with the Bill Eager Award for service to PMI. I'm still overwhelmed by this, as it's a great honor, bestowed by my peers. I can't begin to thank everyone who had a hand in getting me involved with PMI, but it has been an enriching and rewarding experience, beyond measure.

Enjoy a few of the moments during this incredible week...

October is Museums and Galleries Month. As you can imagine, with my museum curator husband in the house, we’re kinda’ fond of museums. History is so important – to learn from, to grow from, and to make the world a better place. Sometimes that growth comes at the price of our being a bit uncomfortable with, or even downright mad at what went before. But if we don’t learn about it, and learn from it, then we’re doomed to repeat it.

This October, Dr. Bob, aka Airplane Bob, gave a tour to the Board of the Portfolio Management Institute, right before the 2023 PMI Forum, which I co-chaired along with Sara K Wallace, Liza Pille, and Stephen Scanapicco. It was great that Dr. Bob got to share his passion for history, and for aviation history in particular, with my friends and colleagues. Special thanks to Jesse Davis, the Executive Director of PMI.

One of the ways that people show they care about each other is to cook for them. Whether it’s a pot of chicken soup when you’re feeling yucky, or a festive holiday meal to celebrate time with friends and family, cooking has a way of bringing us together.

So to mark this unique month, and to get you ready for the upcoming holidays, we thought we’d point out one of our favorite cookbooks. We all have our favorite celebrity chefs, but this cookbook is a little different. It was put together by our Complex Diversity Council, where Syrinda currently serves, and where I previously served and chaired. It’s a collection of recipes from people in our complex – people we know and collaborate with regularly – all sharing a little bit of themselves.

What’s your favorite cookbook?

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community to our society. From art and music to science and business, their talents have made a profound impact. Let’s take this time to celebrate some of the trailblazers who have inspired us to embrace diversity and empower future generations.

https://bit.ly/3rXfyvn

10 Inspiring Latinas Who’ve Made History - Google Arts & Culture Google Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Motor Neuron Disease. Lou Gehrig’s Disease. They’re different names for the same thing. It’s a devastating disease that still has no known cause or cure. As many of you know, my father had ALS nearly 30 years ago. It was an experience that left an indelible mark.

The ALS Association hosts a Walk to Defeat ALS each year on the grounds of the Washington Monument in downtown DC. Last year the entire team surprised me by joining so we could all walk together. It’s testament to the kind of people on this team, and I’m grateful for their support.

This year, as in the past, I will be walking in my dad’s memory. It should make for a beautiful – if bittersweet – autumn morning.



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October isn’t just about pumpkin spice lattes and fall foliage. It’s also Financial Planning Month! So if you’re as scattered as the leaves on your lawn, now is the perfect time to take action. Get organized. Put your records in order. And consider teaming up with a financial advisory team who can help you create a plan as unique as you are.
https://advisor.morganstanley.com/bluestone-planning-group

Bluestone Planning Group | Washington, DC | Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Bluestone Planning Group can help you achieve your financial goals. Learn about Business Planning, Family, Investing, Philanthropy, Retirement, and Mosaic.

It’s National Coffee Day! Here’s to that cuppa joe that gets us going in the morning, or gives us a pick-me-up in the afternoon.

To those who observe Yom Kippur, we at the Bluestone Planning Group wish you an easy fast. G'mar chatimah tovah!

It’s American Business Women’s Day. Today we celebrate our unique team of all American Business Women, who are here to serve our clients with their personal business matters. We’re here to serve the current generation and the next generation of business women.

For the girls and young women who aren’t sure about business, we’re here to show that it can be done, and inspire them to take that plunge, and be the Girl Boss. We’re here to represent for them, which is so important because if you can see it, you can be it!

And we’re here to serve our clients who are business owners now. They are also American business women. They run incredible enterprises, both large and small, that are making a difference in their communities.

So on this day, we cheer the women who get things done, who build equity in their business and their brand, and who represent women in business for the next generation.