I am not your traditional finance professional. In fact, I have a master's degree in mental health counseling and human behavior. My experience in industries outside of finance gives me an edge and affords me a different lens into working with clients. I strive to be one of the first calls a client makes when something big happens in their lives - exciting, wonderful, funny, or tragically lifechanging. I want to work with clients who appreciate a deep, meaningful relationship with an advisor who takes a thoughtful, thorough, and creative approach.
I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.
Michelle has experience working with families and helping executives manage concentrated stock positions or deal with the challenges of important transition events like retirement, inheritance or the sale of a business, as well as providing access to Bank of America Private Bank trust and estate planning services and Bank of America's credit, lending and overall banking convenience. In addition, she can work with your outside attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors to help coordinate financial and legacy plans.
Care and curiosity define my client-centric approach. Throughout my career, I have found that the most effective wealth management strategies begin with a genuine appreciation for each client – their stories, personal passions, objectives and concerns.
Before joining Merrill at the end of 2022, my unlikely career in finance began as a relationship manager at a small, Richmond-based investment firm and Signature Family Wealth Advisors / Brown Advisory. I bring a vast experience working with clients and their families, assisting them through life's transitions. I honed my "people and patience" skills working in the hospitality industry and as an office manager. I served as a U.S. Naval Command Ombudsman, a civilian liaison between service members, their families, and the Navy. I am a Norfolk native with deep ties to the military and first responder community.
I am a life-long learner holding two Bachelor of Science degrees from East Carolina University – one in Health and Human Performance, the other in Biology. I also earned a Master of Science degree in the Study of Human Behavior and Dynamics from Capella University.
Having paid my way through college and graduate school, I believe in the importance of educating clients (when helpful) and being straightforward, even when candid recommendations may be difficult to hear. My mission is to help clients understand where they stand financially and what's possible, given their ability to follow a strategy that's customized on their behalf. People and their stories fascinate me, especially how they acquired success, the bumps they've taken and what they learned along the way. Above all, their visions and values inspire me. At an early age, I wanted to be a therapist. Serving as a financial advisor allows me to bring my unique skillset to my client work– empathically listening and guiding client's exploration of their feelings about money and life. I find that I'm 'comfortable with discomfort' – navigating challenging conversations about death, health, or divorce, for example.
My husband, Shaun (a City of Chesapeake Firefighter Paramedic and U.S. Navy veteran) and I, reside in Suffolk with our three children and our dog. We actively participate with our church and volunteer with Honor & Remember and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. To "relax," I enjoy attending concerts, reading a book on the beach, and I root passionately for the New York Yankees.
Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life
The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.
