About Mikel
Mikel Van Cleve is an advice director for retirement and complex planning. He holds several professional designations: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Certified Financial Behavior Specialist® and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist®. Mikel earned his Ph.D. in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University and is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
With over two decades of experience in financial services, Mikel has assisted thousands of clients, mentored hundreds of financial advisors and contributed to the development of innovative digital financial planning tools for multiple Fortune 500 companies. At USAA, his work centers on guiding members and their families through retirement, estate and tax planning. He applies research and behavioral finance theory to simplify complex financial matters into practical, actionable guidance.
Beyond his professional role, Mikel is active as a researcher, guest lecturer and adjunct professor. His research investigates financial well-being within blended families, seeking to deepen financial professionals' understanding of how family structures affect financial outcomes. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and their blended family, which includes four children and two dogs.