Client Advisory

Biography

Michelle is a Partner based in the Silicon Valley office. She provides investment advice, portfolio design, and financial planning advice to both private and institutional clients. Using her extensive experience in the financial services industry, Michelle shares expert advice tailored specifically to her clients so they can achieve their short-term and long-term financial objectives.

Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Michelle was a Principal at B|O|S where she also served as the head of the Financial Planning Team. She oversaw the firm’s internal education, projects, and resources with the objective of providing high-quality client advice in areas such as estate planning, tax strategies, retirement plans, equity compensation, insurance, and education funding.

Education

  • B.S. in Commerce, University of Virginia
  • Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program, University of California, Berkeley

Highlights

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
  • Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
  • Board Member and Investment Committee Chair of the Peninsula College Fund
  • Past board member of the Financial Planning Association of San Francisco

Q & A

Q:

What inspired you to pursue your career in financial management?

My initial career was in tech but I spent a lot of time working on my personal finances in addition to my day job. I enjoyed personal finance more so I thought why not make a career of it.

What should your clients know the most about you?

My role is to help my client live a rewarding life beyond dollars and cents.

What kind of clients work best for you?

I work well with clients that are passionate in their professional and personal lives including young families, single individuals and those wanting to manage their equity compensation.

What differentiates Cerity Partners from other firms in our space?

We have the breadth of a one-stop-shop for all things wealth management while being a highly personal, client-service focused firm. It’s the best of both bigger and smaller scale.

What do you do in your personal life that helps you help your clients?

Wellness, as defined as the practices which improve health, wealth and relationships, is my passion. Specifically, I enjoy strength training and I see the metaphor from getting 1% better in the gym to getting 1% better in other aspects of life.

How would you describe your best day doing what you do?

An ideal day would involve helping clients help the people and causes in their lives that matter most. This might involve a client knowing they are in the position to make large charitable gifts or to pay down a friend’s student loans or help a child with the down payment for a house.

What does the world need now more than anything?

There’s always uncertainty and noise. I help my clients make the best decisions possible with the information available. Control what you can control.

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