Our Staff
One of the most unique experiences you will have at Prout Financial Design is the interaction with our staff. You will meet with Dennis, yet have access to the entire staff for support and added guidance. Their diverse experiences and desire to share knowledge will give you the confidence you need to move forward.
Administrative Staff
Melissa Ingwersen
Director of Administration
Ext 109 | Email Melissa
With an intense love for all people, Melissa brings her extreme organizational skills, extensive background in management and customer service to Prout Financial Design. Melissa enjoys meeting new people and making sure the experience they have is a memorable one. Melissa’s big heart, bright smile and ability to make people feel at ease enables her to tackle any hurdle that comes her way. In her free time Melissa enjoys early morning workouts, good food and spending time with friends and family.
Bethany Shier
Director of Marketing
Beth brings her deep passion for building business and relationships to our firm. Her intuition and ability to connect are woven throughout her work. Beth oversees brand management, community relations, events, communications, education, and anything else that needs attention. In her spare time, Beth can be found enjoying her favorite things: her children, laughter, new adventures, music, or a good book.
Janie Shier
Client Relations
Janie plays a key role in supporting the firm’s daily operations and delivering an exceptional client experience. Committed to service excellence, she helps create an organized, efficient, and welcoming environment for both clients and colleagues. Known for her positivity, compassion, and attention to detail, Janie brings care and professionalism to everything she does. Outside the office, Janie enjoys paddleboarding, walking, exploring local restaurants, and spending time with her family.
Judy Suszek
Client Relations
Judy is a retired finance director who dedicated her professional career to providing fiscal management to charitable organizations. She brings with her a seasoned passion for quality client service, positive community connections, healthy work relationships, and a steadfast attention to detail. Recently locating to the Traverse City area to live and play closer to family, Judy has been enthusiastically exploring the hiking trails, waterfronts, eateries and art festivals of beautiful northwest Michigan.
Client Experience Staff
Theresa Barton
Data Specialist
Theresa Barton is Prout’s off-site data wiz! She runs everything from database processing, portfolio monitoring to client support. Theresa has an extensive background in client account maintenance and is stellar at supporting the growing client base with her passion of data entry and analytics. She is our behind-the-scenes daily support for the entire operation and firmly believes there isn’t anything an Excel spreadsheet can’t help solve. Theresa enjoys spending her spare time with her nieces and nephew, seeing live music, and traveling with her hubby.
Heather Hall
Client Service Representative
Heather Hall brings a background in financial services and healthcare to her role as a Client Service Representative at Prout Financial Design. She is known for building strong client relationships and delivering a seamless, supportive experience with care and attention to detail. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a Master of Science in Administration, which support her thoughtful and organized approach. Heather is dedicated to helping clients feel comfortable and confident as they navigate their financial journey, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in every interaction.
Outside of the office, Heather enjoys spending time in Northern Michigan with her husband and family. She appreciates time on the water, visiting local wineries, and spending time with family and friends.
Kathleen Loup
Director of Client Accounts
With diversified experience and education in legal, finance and customer service, Kathleen brings a well-rounded and detailed approach to our Client Services team. Kathleen firmly believes in learning something new every single day, which drives her ability to problem solve and think outside of the box. Kathleen was born and raised in Traverse City. When she’s not working, you can find her on a lakeshore rock hunting with her two children.
Keegan Maleski
Client Service Representative
Keegan grew up in Leelanau County before moving to the Grand Rapids area to attend Grand Valley State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public Relations. His academic background reflects a clear dedication to effective communication, both in delivering accurate information and in fostering strong, trust-based relationships.
Outside of work, Keegan enjoys staying informed about major global events and emerging stories. His commitment to continuous learning and awareness not only fuels his personal interests but also enhances his professional effectiveness. By bringing curiosity, thoughtful communication, and a relationship-focused mindset to his role, Keegan strengthens his ability to support colleagues and serve clients with insight and reliability.
Dalton Michael
Client Service Representative
With extensive experience in team environments, Dalton strives to provide the upmost service to everyone involved here at Prout Financial Design. With a bachelor's degree in finance, he is dedicated to learning and helping clients with important details. When Dalton’s not in the office he spends time coaching youth soccer, and spending time with his family.
Nick VanRyswyk
Client Service Representative
Nick moved to Traverse City with his wife in 2021 and has called it home ever since. Happily married and a proud dog owner, Nick enjoys life both in and out of the office. When not at work, you'll find him snorkeling in the lake or playing pickleball, making the most of the beautiful Michigan outdoors. Nick brings the same energy and enthusiasm to his work as he does to his hobbies and strives for excellence in everything he takes on.

