Teresa Dolan Michaels

By Kitty Lindsay

Teresa Michaels’ winding career path has been anything but traditional. Currently, she is a financial strategist and regional manager at McKinley Carter Wealth Services. Before she managed the money of high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families, she served as a social worker at Florence Crittenton Home in Wheeling, WV, a residential and outreach facility for pregnant and parenting young women.

“Many of the residents had been disowned by their families because of the choices they had made,” Michaels says. “Others came from fractured family systems and had never experienced positive role models. It reinforced my belief in the importance of strong family and community support systems.”

The 11th of 12 children, Michaels was raised to value family, faith and community, principles her parents embodied every day.

“We may not have been wealthy by traditional measures, but we never felt as though we were lacking anything,” says Michaels. “If you listened to each of us tell stories about our childhood, you would hear the same theme: we had everything we needed to be successful in life.”

Michaels first considered pursuing an accounting career like her father, until her mother, a social worker, noticed Michaels’ personability and gently nudged her toward a more public-facing career in social work.

“She was right,” Michaels says. “While numbers interested me, what ultimately drew me to social work was the opportunity to help others become the best version of themselves.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from West Virginia University (WVU) in 1990, working several years in the field and starting a family of her own, Michaels’ husband supported her next career move.

In 2009, Michaels graduated from Robert Morris University with a certificate in accounting and later received her Certified Financial Planner designation, the highest standard of excellence in the financial planning profession. In 2016, she joined McKinley Carter Wealth Services as a financial strategist and steadily moved up the professional ladder, including a recent Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation.

Michaels also serves as a regional manager for McKinley Carter Wealth Services, supporting career development for professionals in her region. For Michaels, supporting her colleagues through mentorship is both a responsibility and privilege.

“I learned early in life that very little of what I’ve achieved was accomplished on my own,” says Michaels. “The support, guidance and encouragement of others played a critical role in helping me reach my goals, and that perspective shaped my commitment to helping others do the same.”

Michaels also supports her community through philanthropic efforts. After her daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Michaels became deeply involved in Breakthrough T1D. She also serves on the St. Michaels Parish of Wheeling’s finance committee and as treasurer of the Wheeling YWCA. Michaels financially contributes to Breakthrough T1D; West Liberty University and Ohio County Schools through scholarships established in her parents’ names, respectively; WVU John Chambers College of Business & Economics; Oglebay Foundation; and Women’s Giving Circle.

Looking back, Michaels sees her zig-zagging career path as coming full circle.

“Many of my career choices have been guided by the belief that people can be empowered to become the best version of themselves,” says Michaels. “I’ve intentionally sought roles that allow me to help others look beyond their past circumstances, think differently about their possibilities and build a more intentional and well-
considered future.”

As for future career plans, Michaels wants to write a book.

“While everyone’s life is unique, there are so many shared experiences and challenges,” says Michaels. “Often, we feel isolated in life’s turbulent journey, but sharing our stories can offer perspective, encouragement and guidance to others navigating similar paths.”