NEW YORK, NY, September 14, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michelle K. Hanson, JD, CPWA, ChFC, CSRIC, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Hanson currently serves as the managing director, resident director and wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation, a position she has held since 2023. In this capacity, she has distinguished herself as an expert in wealth management, tax planning, estate planning, mediation and multigenerational wealth transition planning. Her approach is deeply informed by her legal background and her commitment to helping families navigate complex financial dynamics. Her expertise in mediation allows her to guide families through generational wealth transfers, positioning herself as an impartial third party to facilitate productive conversations and help clients avoid the common pitfalls that can erode family legacies over time.

Ms. Hanson distinguishes herself by bringing warmth, approachability and genuine connection to a field that can often feel complex or stressful. A client once remarked that receiving an email from her feels like "getting a hug," a sentiment she deeply values. Her grandmother similarly describes her as both down-to-earth and highly knowledgeable, qualities Ms. Hanson strives to bring to every client interaction. She remains committed to making her expertise and approach accessible, authentic and relatable to the individuals and families she serves.

Prior to being promoted to her current role, Ms. Hanson was senior vice president at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She advanced to this leadership position after demonstrating consistent growth and dedication within the organization. Her journey with Merrill Lynch began in 2014 when she joined as a wealth management advisor immediately following her graduation from law school. Rather than joining her mother's office directly, she started in a separate downtown location and built her own book of business before merging teams with her mother once it made sense for both practices.

Ms. Hanson's professional path is notable for its unconventional beginnings. Before entering the financial sector, she intended to practice law and worked every summer during her academic years in fields she knew she did not wish to pursue long-term, ensuring she would not second-guess her career choices later. A pivotal moment occurred while working in a district attorney's office on special victims cases during law school, which led to a conversation with her mother about the impact of financial education — ultimately inspiring Ms. Hanson to pursue a career in wealth management.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Hanson served as the head student representative for Kaplan Bar Preparation from 2012 to 2014, where she gained valuable leadership experience while completing her legal studies. From 2008 to 2011, she was the head admissions student representative at Cornell University.

Throughout her tenure in the profession, Ms. Hanson has been recognized for both technical expertise and client impact. Among the achievements she values most are moments when clients express that trusting her with their finances brings them peace of mind or even credit her with life-changing support. She considers these personal acknowledgments more meaningful than any formal accolade.

Ms. Hanson's educational foundation includes a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School in 2014, where she focused on tax law, estate planning and conflict resolution. She also earned a Bachelor of Science from the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University in 2011. Her commitment to ongoing professional development is reflected in several advanced certifications that are integral to her practice. She holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor designation from the Investments and Wealth Institute, which she regards as most central to her work with high-net-worth individuals and families. Additionally, she is a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Chartered SRI Counselor certified by the College for Financial Planning with an emphasis on socially responsible investing and a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor through the National Association of Plan Advisors, qualifying her to manage retirement plans like 401(k)s and pensions.

A lifelong learner by nature, Ms. Hanson attributes much of her success to an innate curiosity and drive to solve problems through continuous education. She believes that all knowledge — even seemingly unimportant facts — can prove valuable over time and finds fulfillment in keeping her mind engaged across diverse subjects.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms. Hanson is active in civic life and industry associations. She serves on the board of directors for PEN Parentis, supporting authors who are also parents by providing resources such as networking opportunities, classes and coaching on a global scale. As a board member of the Alumni Association for Cornell University's ILR School, she remains engaged with fellow graduates and contributes to alumni initiatives.

Ms. Hanson also plays an important role as a contributor to Better Money Habits, an educational initiative run by Bank of America Corporation in partnership with Khan Academy that delivers practical financial lessons across schools, libraries and community groups, including local mom support networks.

Throughout her career, Ms. Hanson's achievements have been recognized widely within the industry. She is a four-time listee on Financial Planning Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 list from 2023 through 2026 — an honor she hopes to maintain throughout her eligibility period — as well as a four-time recipient of Forbes Magazine's Best-in-State Top Women Wealth Advisors recognition for 2023 through 2026. Additional honors include Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams by Forbes Magazine for four consecutive years beginning in 2023 and repeated inclusion among Forbes' Best-in-State Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors since 2019.

Born in New York City, Ms. Hanson balances a demanding professional life with rich personal commitments. She is married to Eric and together they have two young daughters whose activities include T-ball, soccer, ballet, gymnastics and swimming — pursuits that Ms. Hanson enthusiastically supports by attending events whenever possible. In addition to spending time with family, she enjoys reading widely and watching sports as hobbies.

Looking ahead, Ms. Hanson's foremost goal is to ensure the well-being of her children while continuing to serve families who need guidance navigating financial matters both large and small. She remains committed to challenging misconceptions about wealth management by making expertise accessible beyond traditional client bases and hopes eventually to formalize an ongoing program teaching children about money within her local community group when circumstances allow greater focus on this initiative.

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