Michelle P. Cooper is the Director and Co-founder of XML-W, a division of XML Financial Group which focuses on the planning and financial needs of women at all stages of their lives. She brings to XML-W over 25 years of experience in the estate planning, finance and tax fields. Prior to joining the XML team, she worked for Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust (both entities are now owned by Bank of America) as a Director and Senior Trust Specialist helping high-net-worth clients design and update their estate plans. She also had the responsibility of educating over 650 financial advisors on estate planning and trust services. Before starting her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996, she worked as an attorney specializing in tax and estate planning for the law firms of Ralph R. Polachek & Associates and Joseph, Gajarsa, McDermott & Reiner, P.C.
Her Story
At the young age of 36 my life took an unexpected turn. I was thriving in my career, a new mother to twins and happily married. Then, in an instant my world was turned upside down when my husband of eight years unexpectedly passed away. I became a single parent overnight and was left to juggle the demands of raising my children and working full time. Because of the planning I had in place and my financial know how, I was able to survive and eventually rebuild a wonderful life for my family. This journey and the life lessons I have learned along the way have encouraged me to write a book and found XML-W. I seek to empower women by giving them insight and education, so that they can establish a framework to achieve their financial goals and leave a lasting legacy for their family.
Education & Philanthropy
Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Miami of Ohio University. She then attained her Juris Doctor and Masters of Business degrees from Capital University, with honors. She is admitted to the bars of the State of Maryland and Washington, D.C. Michelle is a proud board member of So What Else, a grassroots charity helping at-risk youth with after-school and summer programs. She is also a member of Women Who Care and supporter of JWI, KEEN and BREM. She is married to Paul Cooper and they have five wonderful children together. She enjoys yoga, traveling, a good bottle of wine and helping women thrive!
