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Michelle Sue · MBA, CFA

Clarity for your financial path — insurance, business, or both

Life insurance protection and financial consulting — grounded in decades of corporate finance and risk management experience.

Schedule a conversation Explore services

Not sure where to start? Many clients begin with a single conversation — we'll figure out whether life insurance, consulting, or a blend fits your goals.

How I can help

Whether you need family protection, sharper business finances, or guidance across both — we'll tailor the conversation to you.

Life insurance

Protect what matters

Licensed for life & health in Washington. I help individuals and families compare options from multiple carriers — so you choose coverage with confidence.

  • Term, whole, and universal life
  • Final expense coverage
  • Needs-based planning — not one-size-fits-all
  • Support through quote, application, and beyond

Business & financial consulting

Strengthen decisions with seasoned analysis

Drawing on an MBA from the University of Chicago, the CFA charter, and 15 years in corporate risk management at Microsoft, I consult with owners and professionals who want sharper financial insight.

  • Financial analysis & modeling support
  • Profitability consultation
  • Investment strategy consulting
  • Risk-aware framing for major decisions

Many engagements stay focused on one area; others blend insurance planning with business financial perspective. Tell me what you're exploring — we'll map the right next step together.

Experience & credentials

Built on rigorous training and real-world financial leadership.

MBA

University of Chicago

CFA

Chartered Financial Analyst

15 years

Risk management at Microsoft

Licensed

Washington Life & Health insurance

Michelle Sue, founder of Illume Pathway

Meet Michelle Sue

I founded Illume Pathway to bring together two threads of my career: helping people protect their families through life insurance, and helping businesses think more clearly about financial performance and strategy.

After fifteen years leading risk management work at Microsoft, I earned my CFA and completed my MBA at the University of Chicago. That background shapes how I work — structured, transparent, and focused on what the numbers actually mean for your decisions.

I'm not here to push a single product or a rigid package. Some clients need insurance guidance; others want consulting on profitability or investment strategy; many aren't sure yet. That's completely fine — we'll start with your questions and build from there.

MBA · University of Chicago Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) WA Life & Health license Ex-Microsoft risk management

How it works

A straightforward process — for insurance, consulting, or exploring both.

Connect

Reach out by email or the form below. Share what you're hoping to solve — no prep required.

Clarify

We'll discuss your goals and whether life insurance, consulting, or a combination makes sense.

Move forward

For insurance, I help you compare carrier options. For consulting, we define scope and deliverables together.

Common questions

Clear answers — whether you're here for insurance, consulting, or still deciding.

No. I offer Washington life & health insurance solutions and separate business / financial consulting — financial analysis, profitability work, and investment strategy guidance. Many clients start with a general conversation to see what fits.
Typical engagements focus on financial analysis, understanding profitability drivers, and framing investment strategy decisions. Scope is agreed upfront based on your business needs — from one-time analysis to ongoing advisory conversations.
Absolutely. A first conversation is exploratory and no-obligation. We'll identify whether protection planning, business financial insight, or both belongs on your roadmap.
Premiums depend on age, health, coverage amount, and policy type. Term life is often the most affordable entry point. I can walk through options once I understand your situation.
No — I work with multiple appointed carriers so we can compare rates and features that fit your needs.

Let's start a conversation

Tell me what you're exploring — life insurance, business consulting, or you're not sure yet. I'll follow up to schedule a call.

Your message goes directly to Michelle by email.