Deborah Montaperto, a managing director at Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division in Palm Beach, Florida, has built a successful career in the financial industry. With team assets of $22.7 billion, Montaperto has been recognized by Forbes in various rankings including America’s Top Wealth Advisors, Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, and America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors.
Raised outside Philadelphia and with a background in art history and literature from Tufts University, Montaperto started her career as a secretary at Dean Witter in 1984. She later became a managing director at Citigroup’s investment banking division but lost her job during the 2008 financial crisis. She was subsequently recruited as a partner of the Polk Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, where she has been working ever since.
Montaperto and her team focus on working with wealthy clients in a multigenerational approach, with a particular emphasis on liability management and helping clients navigate the impact of their wealth. She pays special attention to working with clients’ children and hosts a yearly next-gen conference to discuss future planning strategies.
In terms of investment philosophy and strategy, Montaperto and her team determine clients’ risk tolerance before allocating assets across different asset classes. They do not currently have major U.S. equity sector tilts and have been looking to add more cyclical exposure. Furthermore, they have extended duration in fixed income and added high yield when spreads were attractive. Montaperto also utilizes alternative investments like private equity to diversify portfolios.
With an investment outlook that includes a potential rate cut and exposure to emerging markets like India, Mexico, Brazil, and China, Montaperto is optimistic about the future. She has been adding Japanese equity to some client portfolios as markets there appear attractive. Despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Montaperto believes in believing in oneself and being tenacious to overcome obstacles.
Montaperto’s best advice to anyone is to specialize in something and become an expert in that area. She believes that expertise will make individuals valuable regardless of their age or position. Outside of work, Montaperto enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling, and remaining connected to her roots in the art world through institutions like the National Arts Club. She splits her time between Palm Beach and New York, with a passion for exploring different cultures and experiences.
