Guiding Dreams, Building Legacies: Meet the Five Merrill Advisors Redefining Wealth in Southeast Michigan

In the world of finance, true value isn't just measured in market returns, but in the lives changed, futures secured and legacies built. This year, five women from Merrill's Southeast Michigan offices have been recognized by Forbes as among the nation's elite, earning a place on the 2026 “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list.

Meet Kristina Abro, Nicole Holmes, Jennifer Jennings, Melissa Spickler, and Sara Wohl — five advisors who are not only masters of their craft but also passionate advocates for their clients' financial goals. They prove that financial guidance is at its best when it's personal and insightful.

For over four decades, Melissa “Missy” Spickler who is based in Bloomfield Hills has made an indelible mark in the industry. Named the #1-woman wealth advisor in Michigan for five consecutive years by Forbes, she is a guiding force for entrepreneurs, executives and women navigating pivotal life transitions, motivating them to chase and achieve their biggest goals. She holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation and is also a qualified Portfolio Manager.

With 25 years at Merrill, Nicole Holmes holds the designations of Certified Financial Planner® professional and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™. Based in Bloomfield Hills, she has previously been recognized by Forbes as a “Best in State Advisor,” “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors,” and Barron’s named her to its “Top 100 Women Financial Advisors” list. Her financial planning wisdom is matched only by her dedication to local arts and culture, where she actively supports the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and nurtures young talent through the Interlochen Arts Academy.

When life takes an unexpected turn, Jennifer Jennings steps in. As a Certified Divorced Financial Analyst based in Farmington Hills, she does more than manage assets; she empowers women navigating the hardship of divorce, helping them build a foundation for newfound financial independence and confidence. She extends this passion by co-leading the Merrill Lynch Women’s Exchange in the Detroit area, fostering a network of mentorship and growth.

Sara Wohl, who is based in Ann Arbor, is a guide for life's most significant moments. Whether it's the sale of a business, a career change, divorce or the loss of a loved one, she combines her expertise as a Certified Financial Planner™ with a deep well of compassion. As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, she helps high-net worth families transform their success into lasting charitable legacies.

And leveraging a fresh, dynamic perspective, Kristina Abro specializes in bringing clarity to complexity. Based in Auburn Hills, she masterfully navigates the financial markets to design tailored strategies that give her clients a clear and structured path toward their financial goals. She has previously been named to the Forbes “Best in State Wealth Advisors,” and “Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors Best in State” lists.

The recognition of these five women on the prestigious Forbes list is more than a professional honor. It is a celebration of their unwavering commitment, their role as pillars in their communities, and the thousands of lives they have enriched through disciplined, heartfelt guidance.