Michelle LeCates

Michelle LeCates is Senior Vice President of Business Development & Marketing at JULY, where she leads institutional sales, marketing strategy, client onboarding, and M&A integration. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Michelle brings nearly 30 years of retirement industry experience and a strong track record of driving growth and building strategic partnerships. She oversees JULY’s institutional relationships with RIAs, broker-dealers, custodians, and investment fiduciaries—crafting strategies, guiding product development, and serving as a primary point of contact. Michelle also directs the firm’s marketing and communications, ensuring consistent messaging across digital platforms, proposals, and client materials. Since joining JULY in 2012, Michelle has helped shape the firm’s approach to onboarding and implementation, ensuring a smooth experience for clients and advisors alike. She also leads the integration of acquired firms, aligning people, processes, and systems post-acquisition. Michelle holds QPA, QKC, and QKA credentials from ASPPA and degrees in Accounting, Marketing, and General Business from Park University and Tarleton State University. She has held previous roles at Schwab Retirement Plan Services Company and The 401(k) Company, and has served as a moderator and panelist at industry events. She is active in several professional communities, including ARA Women in Retirement, RISE, and Women in Retirement Thrive. Michelle also serves on the board of The Kenli Foundation, a nonprofit supporting scholarship recipients who’ve made a meaningful impact in their communities. An early riser and lifelong learner, Michelle enjoys running, Orangetheory workouts, and reading everything from historical fiction to memoirs.