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Michelle Petrowski, CFP®, CDFA®, CBDA®

Dream. Plan. Take Action. Step Into Your Power.

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Being in Abundance Michelle Petrowski, CFP®, CDFA®, CBDA®
Phoenix, AZ

Serving Clients Nationwide

Dream. Plan. Take Action. Step Into Your Power.

(520) 369-3380

Website

Areas of Focus

  • Divorce Financial Planning
  • Equity Compensation Options
  • Estate Planning
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Investment Management
  • LGBTQ Couples
  • Retirement Planning
  • Taxes
  • Women & Wealth

About Michelle Petrowski, CFP®, CDFA®, CBDA®

Hi, I'm Michelle Petrowski.

In 2012, after going back to school mid-life 3 years earlier to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®), I left my Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm & partner; moving across the country to AZ with no job or a place to live as a result of my divorce to save my child's life for medical reasons - leaving my other child behind. This was heartbreaking (see story here). It also devastated my personal resources and resulted in an estimated loss of $1MM in future retirement assets due to legal costs, game playing and an unequitable settlement.

My career has taken twists & turns since then; working as an Investment Manager at Schwab Private Client, working with divorcing singles/couples as a mediator or a financial advocate/neutral, and as a Personal Financial Counselor for the National Guard & Active Duty Army. I have been fighting the "calling" to start another firm since 2013, I've been afraid of starting over again, AND I feel that all my life experiences have brought me to the point to be a greater stand for women and families and have more impact in our world.

But all of these events in my life share one characteristic. All these bring in a "new normal". They challenge me to evaluate my beliefs, shift my perspective, and adapt if I am to be resilient and ready to move forward in my truth.

These are times where we all can go inward. Where we can be gentle with ourselves and remember who we were, who we are, who we want to recreate ourselves to be; and craft the life we want to live.

We are also in the beginning phase of a tremendous intergenerational wealth transfer that will ultimately lead to women being in a position of controlling the majority of household wealth. As a result of my own devastating divorce I am a stand for women and families; supporting you in developing the knowledge and skills to create the life you want to live, to be a leader in your family or community, having impact in our world.

Typically wealth is measured in terms of money and physical possessions. Because finances and emotions are so closely linked, I believe that wealth also includes our emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical well-being.

As I look around our world, I see we need something different. We have a financial literacy crisis. Children today are not taught these concepts and skills in school. Women still, as a whole. abdicate financial matters to their partner and do not feel confident about investing and many times even about basic money matters. In my role as an Portfolio Manager and even working with divorcing couples I became keenly aware of this divide and a need for something more.

My role is to help you get clear on your values and goals, identify deeper underlying issues or patterns that may keep you from moving forward and define what could be possible with a financial road-map and behavioral shifts. I am your financial "thought partner", keeping you accountable and on track with your big picture and the small steps along the way to get you there; but you are in control of what you decide to do, not me.

Professional Designations

  • Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets
  • Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®

Affiliations

  • CFP Board
  • Financial Planning Association
  • Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
  • XY Planning Network

Primary Location

Anthem, AZ, 85086

Video

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • Phone
Book Intro Call

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Only
  • Flat Fee
  • Hourly Rate
  • One-time Financial Plan
  • Package Offers
  • Per Session
  • Percentage of Assets Managed
  • Subscription

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a complimentary call designed to help you understand which planning session or offering may be a good fit for you. As part of the process, you'll share some initial information when scheduling to help me understand where you are. I look forward to speaking with you. If we are not a good fit for each other, we will recommend an alternative for you.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

About Being in Abundance

You've worked hard to achieve success in your career, but "balance" is a word so many of us women crave. Why can’t we have it all? Why is it so difficult? And what does that even look like?

It’s not the same for all women. Working long hours; whether at work or juggling home and career commitments; the day sometimes never seems to end. You’ve been career focused, a leader and a mentor to others, but nothing has really taught you how to keep all these spinning plates in the air while trying to navigate the life of a modern women with ease.

As women we have unique challenges, and as we are more and more becoming the equal or primary breadwinners in our homes, our challenges are growing. And these are not necessarily solved by living with a partner in a committed relationship rather than marrying, or remaining single. We make less and save less than men, and often care for others ahead of ourselves and that needs to change. Financial self-care is an act of self-love and allows us to better take care of those we are committed to.

Being in Abundance (“BIA”) provides individual situational financial guidance as well as comprehensive financial planning and advice to help you make grounded and intentional choices to make the most of what you've worked hard for.

I specialize in working with professional women like you who are succeeding in the workplace, have may have stepped out to raise a family, and need a financial strategy that supports your success.

How we can help

Comprehensive & Situational Financial Planning | Financial Education | Investment Management | Retirement Planning | Social Security Maximization | College Savings | Employee Benefits Review | Executive Compensation Planning (Options, etc.) | Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Long-Term Care Insurance, & Annuity review

How are we different

✨ We’re a fiduciary—which is just a fancy way of saying we’ve got your back. 💼💙 No hidden agendas, no sneaky commissions—just solid advice that puts your best interests first. Because your money should work for you, not for someone else’s sales quota! 😉💰

Education

B.S. Business Administration and Communication, Adelphi University, New York | Certificate in Financial Planning, C.W. Post, New York

Volunteer Experience

I am an active Rotarian, and volunteer with Savvy Ladies in NY & Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in Phoenix around financial literacy. I have served as the past Communications Director on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Long Island , the past Public Relations Director on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Greater Phoenix, and past Treasurer for the Alisa’s Angels Foundations.

Hobbies and Interests

  • Beach
  • Church
  • Eating Out
  • Family
  • Gardening
  • Hiking
  • Reading
  • Tequila
  • Volunteering

SEC Lookup

View Disclosure

Who We Serve

  • Baby Boomers
  • Blended Family
  • Corporate Executives
  • Couples
  • Divorce
  • DIY Investors
  • Dual Income Family
  • Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE)
  • Gen X
  • Gen Y / Millennials
  • Gen Z
  • Intergenerational Families
  • LGBTQ
  • Living in Retirement
  • Military
  • Parents
  • Single Women
  • Technology Professionals
  • Travel Lovers
  • Widow
  • Women in Transition
  • Women Professionals
  • Women’s Finance
  • Young Families

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

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