Michelle Jackson’s Legacy of Philanthropy

The core of financial planning is preparing for the future. While that includes making a plan and sticking to it, it also means responding to changes — and that’s why, after rising through the ranks of the financial services industry, Michelle Jackson decided that a step backward was her best course forward.

Michelle, a Private Wealth Advisor with Capital Group Private Client Services, quickly advanced early in her career, going from a secretary to a financial advisor. And while she didn’t initially see herself working in finance — “I thought I was going to be living in New York City on Broadway, tap dancing,” she explains — she loved working closely with clients, helping them to formulate and pursue their financial goals.

It was that love that prompted her to re-evaluate her career when she was promoted into management roles at high-profile firms such as Morgan Stanley.

“Once you get further up in management, you get so much further away from clients,” she said. “And working in my community and working with clients is the best part of my world.”

So five years ago, Michelle made a change. She left her previous position and re-evaluated her career, ultimately accepting the client-focused position of Private Wealth Advisor with Capital Group Private Client Services.

“I couldn’t be happier with the decision,” she adds.

Today, Michelle offers clients financial planning advice in Atlanta with a focus on helping clients give back to their communities and the causes they hold dear.

“I work with families on issues that are often difficult and emotional,” she says, including “decisions around foundations, family offices and nonprofits.”

Whether she’s helping her generous clients share with other organizations, using her knowledge to lead boards or donating her own time and money, Michelle is committed to giving back.

It was that mutual Capital Group connection that put Michelle with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia (CFNEG) a year and a half ago.

“I firmly believe if you’re going to work in your community, it has to be with organizations you’re passionate about. The idea that the Community Foundation works with so many other organizations to help people and families determine how they’re going to donate — it’s such a great concept.”

From there, she began working with the Professional Advisors Network (PAN), CFNEG’s network of attorneys, financial planners, bankers and other related professionals who assist one another and their clients in finding resources to further philanthropy.

As the Community Foundation continues to expand PAN, Michelle says she’s proud to share its mission to improve and promote charitable giving with her clients and her community.

“I can’t imagine not being an ambassador,” she said. “If you’re part of PAN or part of the community, you need to start partnering with some of these organizations so that you can become involved and engaged and understand what you can contribute.”

To that end, Michelle is always looking to connect others with the Community Foundation.

“I meet all these other nonprofits, and I introduce them to [CFNEG President and CEO] Waddy DePriest. It helps everybody at the Community Foundation get to know even more agencies. My natural network is helping to connect the dots.”

Michelle hopes the changes she made won’t just make improve her community and help fulfill her professionally, but that it will pass down a legacy of improving the future and embracing philanthropy to her children.

“They come to the events with me so that they understand how important community is and the philanthropy that runs through and unites it,” she says.

That generosity of spirit might already be blossoming in Michelle’s teenage son. He recently approached her about creating a club at his school to help seniors learn to use unfamiliar technology; she agreed to be the parent sponsor.

As they discussed his idea — what she calls “the 16-year old geek squad for seniors” — she sought to plant seeds in her son’s mind about expanding the modest venture into a nonprofit. She also said she hopes his exposure to fundraising galas and events will encourage him to also be generous with his time and money as he grows.

And that impulse might have all started with simple acts of kindness in the community.

“I wonder if my son would have ever started his club if he and I hadn’t sang Christmas carols in senior centers,” she muses, thinking back to the career decision almost six years ago that led to this point.

When Michelle took a step back to examine her career, she chose to embrace the aspects of her life that bring her joy. Her roles as mother, Private Wealth Advisor and philanthropist are all colors on the vibrant canvas of her life, a portrait of a fulfilled future that she strives to share with her community.