As principal of Planning, Management & Consulting, LLC , Melissa MacLeod identifies integrity, compassion, empathy and encouragement as the hallmarks of her approach to achieving results with clients.
Working with a clientele of professionals, executives and business owners, Melissa says, "We are committed to taking care of our clients in the way that they should be treated, and I work hard to understand each clients' personal dreams so I can guide them with the critical financial decisions that impact their futures”. Melissa understands that even the most successful people have questions about financial matters and are looking for sound advice. Melissa explains that her goal is to help her clients "evaluate their financial choices, understand the impact of their decisions, and implement behaviors consistent with their desired outcomes".
When doing a financial plan, Ms MacLeod adheres to The Financial Planning Association’s Comprehensive Financial Planning Process, and each of her planning clients' receives customized, easy-to-follow action items to support implementing the plan. Melissa's education and experience with investments, insurance, tax issues, retirement plans, and other financial matters affords holistic and meaningful advice throughout plan implementation where she emphasizes conservative, long-termfinancial strategies based on a clearly defined set of principles. Melissa focuses special attention on her clients who are approaching or are already in retirement, as she incorporates specific strategies for retirement distribution planning using the Next Phase® income planning model as one of her tools. She stays current on marketplace developments, financial trends and product offerings, and has built alliances with professional advisors in related disciplines.
In addition to assisting her clients with their investment, estate, and financial planning needs, Melissa has completed specialized training to address the unique complexities of pre and post divorce financial issues Inspired by the emotionally and financially devastating dissolution of her own parents' marriage, Melissa now dedicates a portion of her practice to helping people understand the lifelong impact of choices made when negotiating a divorce settlement by giving guidance to support smart, informed decisions at this critical time. Then, after the legal documents are finalized and the attorney is through, Melissa continues to work closely with her client to execute the settlement agreement and incorporate the assets into a comprehensive strategy.
Prior to establishing her own independent firm, Ms MacLeod spent the first years of her financial services career at Porraro & Associates. Then, following Mark Porraro's retirement in 2003, Melissa was part of a group of advisors who facilitated the transition Mr. Porraro's firm to what is now known as Integrated Financial Group, Inc, where she was a founding member. Melissa also enjoyed success in corporate sales and management, including representing a Fortune 50 company where she trained surgeons and nurses on devices and techniques within the operating room. Ms. MacLeod is engaged and lives in Virginia-Highland. She greatly enjoys the opportuntiy to help others as part of her career and is dedicated to fulfilling her mission to positively impact the lives of others through financial planning.
Education/Certification
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAl PLANNER™ professional
• CFP® Certification Curriculum, The American College,
BrynMawr, PA
• Bachelor of Business Administration, Terry College
of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc . These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.