Her Story
About Lynn
Lynn Rapp serves as senior vice president at Morgan Stanley, where she manages large portfolios of assets. After beginning her career as a registered nurse following training at Mercy Hospital in Denver, Colorado, she earned a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration and a certificate from Wharton before transitioning into finance. She started at Piper Jaffray in Minnesota, advanced to a senior position, and was recruited by Dean Witter to open offices in Indian Country, later moving to Morgan Stanley. Rapp co-created an asset management firm operating at a multi-billion-dollar scale and established a separate firm providing large-denomination lending to tribes and professional athletes. She maintains active involvement with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and the American Indian College Fund, and has supported 4H programs for sixty years while contributing to initiatives such as a new medical school in Rapid City, South Dakota, that integrates Indigenous and Western medicine.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lynn
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never quit. You can do it, because when you walk into that boardroom at Morgan Stanley, you better damn well be your head up and your concerns put behind you.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't steady. Don't try to outperform right away. Go through banks. And once you've got your base, then you can go.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The economy is odd, like fall back. You can do it in any economic environment.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Responsibility and joy. Joy comes from within, from a sense of I can do it. I'm confident.
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