Melanie Folstad leads an RBC Wealth Management practice in Chevy Chase, serving individuals and families across the D.C. metro.
We believe clients deserve personalized planning, ongoing support, and prudent strategies—so we dedicate significant time and resources to understanding our clients as individuals. Every plan we craft is unique to your goals, your priorities, and the life you're building.
From our perspective, this multi-faceted approach helps clients feel prepared and protected for changes in their lives or in the markets. Our goal is to collaborate with you so you can achieve long-term goals while thriving in your current lifestyle—whether you're planning for retirement, saving for education, or building generational wealth.
Chevy Chase, Maryland — by appointment
Our approach is built on a simple belief: the numbers only matter when they're connected to the life you want to live.
We dedicate ourselves to guiding our clients from their careers through their retirement years. We believe clients deserve personalized planning, ongoing support, and prudent strategies—so we dedicate significant time and resources to understanding our clients as individuals and craft a plan unique to their goals and priorities.
From our perspective, this multi-faceted approach helps clients feel prepared and protected for changes in their lives or the markets. Our goal is to collaborate with our clients so they can achieve long-term goals while thriving in their current lifestyles.
Whether you are planning for retirement, saving for education, or building wealth, we are committed to being your trusted partner every step of the way. That commitment shows up in the small things—a mid-year check-in that energizes the rest of your year—and in the large ones, like a retirement income strategy designed to last decades.
We believe women, in particular, deserve the tools, education, and support they need to achieve long-term retirement security. While it's best to start saving early, it's never too late to start. Let's close that gap, together.
"The best bucket-list moments don't just happen. They're planned for. Meticulously. And that makes the payoff all that much sweeter."
A focused suite of wealth-management services, each tailored to where you are—and where you're going.
A full-scope plan covering retirement projections, insurance review, tax efficiency, and estate considerations—delivered as a written document and reviewed across three working sessions.
Actively managed portfolios built on RBC's global research platform, with strategic asset allocation tuned to your risk tolerance, time horizon, and tax situation.
Convert accumulated savings into a durable, tax-efficient income stream. We model Social Security timing, Roth conversions, and withdrawal sequencing to last through your retirement years.
Tax-advantaged education funding using 529 plans—covering K-12 tuition, qualified expenses, and multi-generational funding strategies. State tax deduction analysis included for Maryland and D.C. residents.
Coordinate beneficiary designations, trust structures, and charitable giving strategies with your attorney and CPA. We ensure your wealth transfers efficiently, by design and not by default.
For owners asking "What's my business worth?" and "When's the right time to sell?"—we build transition plans around valuation, succession, and the personal wealth that follows a sale.
No jargon, no surprises. Just a disciplined path from where you are to where you want to be.
The RBC Wealth Management difference
We start by listening. Before any numbers are modeled, we want to understand the people behind them—your family, your work, the things that keep you up at night and the things that get you up in the morning.
An initial conversation—often 60 to 90 minutes—where we learn about your goals, concerns, and current financial picture. No cost, no obligation.
We review your existing statements, tax returns, insurance, and estate documents. Gaps are identified; opportunities are quantified.
A written plan, walked through in plain language. You'll see the why behind every recommendation before anything is implemented.
Regularly scheduled reviews—typically semi-annual—plus anytime access. A mid-year check-in can energize the rest of your year.
A quick call is often all it takes to see if we're the right fit. Reach out—we'll respond within one business day.
Whether you're years from retirement or already in it, whether you're saving for a child's education or selling a business you've spent a lifetime building—we'd welcome the conversation.