Atealem Ford is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She provides personalized investment advice for a diverse clientele that includes individuals, families, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and businesses across the United States. Her client focus areas include college education planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments and foundations, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and women and wealth.
Atealem holds a Bachelor's Degree from Seattle Pacific University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland–UC, where she earned a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. She holds several professional designations including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She is registered under the National Mortgage Licensing System in order to assist clients with mortgage and lending needs.
Outside of her professional work, Atealem enjoys cooking, baking, painting, sports, and spending time with her family. She has traveled extensively and enjoys learning about different cultures. She is actively involved in her community, volunteering with organizations such as the Annapolis Rotary Club, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center, Bellevue Community Senior Center, HOPE, Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center, Men of Courage International, Inc, and Sunrise Assisted Living Annapolis.