As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Melissa enjoys guiding clients to make smart decisions and crafting plans to help them pursue their unique financial goals. She is a passionate advocate for clients, explaining complex topics in clear terms and helping each one develop confidence in where they are headed. Her dedication, enthusiasm and commonsensical approach help build strong relationships with the people we serve.

Melissa joined Southworth & Wilson in 2018, drawn by its client-first approach. Before that she was a financial planner at a large independent RIA in Michigan. She began her career in the financial services industry in a client service role at another Raymond James office in 2010. In 2015 she earned her CFP^® designation and transitioned to a financial planner role, which she finds a natural fit for her talents.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Grand Valley State University and obtained her CFP^® designation through Kaplan University’s Financial Planning program. She holds Series 7 and 63 licenses.

Originally from Hartland, Michigan, she currently lives in Farmington with her husband, Kevin, and their two dogs, boxers named Mia and Tucker. When she’s not serving clients, you might find her out on a run – she completed her first full marathon in 2019, and she enjoys running 200-mile competitive team relay races. She also spends her free time visiting with family and friends, kayaking and traveling.