Melissa Holcombe headshot

Melissa Holcombe

DSW, LCSW

Senior Advisor, Childfree Trust

Melissa Holcombe brings years of insight and an extensive background in guardianship and probate to Childfree Insights.

Her experience includes conducting competency assessments for adult guardianship petitions for Probate courts and serving guardianship clients through Adult Protective Services. This practical, in-the-field experience provides her with a distinctive ability to navigate complex legal and emotional dynamics for individuals.

For three decades, Melissa has distinguished herself through dedicated advocacy and exemplary work in social services. Following a decade of leadership as a child welfare case manager and supervisor, she spent 20 years in the public school system. During her tenure, she served as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison and Foster Care Point of Contact, specializing in support for vulnerable student populations.

Additionally, Melissa is one of the nation’s first Certified Veterinary Social Workers (VSW), having earned her certification while completing her doctorate at the University of Tennessee in 2014. She provides compassionate counseling to those grieving the loss of a companion animal and seminars on compassion fatigue within the animal services community. She also shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor of undergraduate level social work.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys camping, hiking, and kayaking with her dog, Darcy.

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Podcast

Podcast

Insights Straight to Your Inbox

Tips, freebies, event invites, and more to make your Childfree life even more amazing

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Episode 199: What Women Need to Know About Money and Starting a Business

In the United States, only 15 banks are women-owned. Ilaria Rawlins, CEO of Fortuna Bank, joins Bri Conn, CFP® to talk about why female entrepreneurs face a capital gap that most people do not even know exists, and what she built to change it.

Episode 198: Solo Aging for Childfree Adults: How to Plan Before You Need To

Most people assume that if they don’t have kids, someone will figure it out when the time comes. Carol Marak has spent over a decade proving that the people who age well alone are the ones who plan for it on purpose. She joins Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® to talk about the three questions every soloist needs answered, why finances anchor the whole plan, and how to build a support system before a crisis forces the issue.

Episode 197: Small Business 101: Starting an AI-Proof Business After 50

The next wave of AI-driven job displacement does not have to derail your plans. For Childfree adults over 50, it might just be the push you needed. Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® and Alli Gage break down what it actually takes to start a small business in the second half of life and how to use AI to make it work for you from day one.

Episode 196: Dementia-Proofing Your Future

Planning for aging is not something most people do until they are already in the middle of a crisis. Jennifer Crowley, registered nurse and certified life care planner, joins Bri Conn, CFP® and Melissa Holcombe, DSW, LCSW to talk about what proactive life care planning actually looks like for Childfree and solo aging adults who want to stay in control of their own story.

Episode 195: LGBTQ+ Solo Aging: What Childfree Adults Need to Know

For LGBTQ+ adults aging without children, the question of who will be in your corner is not abstract, it is the plan. Maddy Roche sits down with Sherrill Wayland, Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Partnerships at SAGE, to talk about what affirming care looks like, why chosen family needs legal backing, and what resources exist right now to help LGBTQ+ older adults age with dignity and intention.

Episode 194: Business Growth Without the Burnout

Business growth and burnout do not have to go hand in hand. Licensed mental health counselor and life coach Nikolai Blinow joins Bri Conn, CFP® to talk about building a successful business from a calmer, more intentional place, and why 40% of your day is supposed to be rest.