LAURA VAN BUREN

Laura "Melinda" Van Buren, Financial Advisor

For Melinda, empowering clients to achieve their financial dreams is at the heart of her professional mission. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, she is dedicated to helping clients clarify and attain their financial goals through thoughtful, fiduciary-focused planning, disciplined investing, and ongoing risk management. Melinda started her banking career in 2005 with the State Employees Credit Union of North Carolina, where she built a strong foundation in client relationships and financial fundamentals for over a decade before advancing to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2015. During her tenure at SECU, she became a licensed insurance agent, registered senior mortgage loan officer, and a VITA tax preparer from 2008 to 2014. She also became a registered investment advisor in 2013.

In 2015, Melinda transitioned to Wells Fargo Advisor Solutions, working with clients all over the United States. She progressed to a Senior Financial Advisor and team lead during her time there, while also obtaining her designation as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. In August 2019, just before Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, Melinda joined Whichard Woolard & Mitchell, where she plays an integral role in incorporating wealth planning for clients. Melinda earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in 2021, General Securities Sales Supervisor license (Series 9/10) in 2025 and Certified Exit Planning Advisor CEPA in 2026, demonstrating her commitment to comprehensive wealth planning. Her passion is working with business owners and high-net-worth families to efficiently grow, protect, and transition wealth for generations to come.

Melinda actively contributes to her community through leadership roles with the Kitty Hawk Rotary Club, serving as Club Secretary from 2020 - 2025, and President from 2025 - 2026, and on the board of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, where she serves on the Finance and Development Committees. She also volunteers with the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and various local organizations, supporting economic and community development efforts on the Outer Banks. Additionally, she completed Leadership OBX, Class of 2019-2020.

In her free time, Melinda enjoys golfing, shelling at Oregon Inlet, kayaking in Colington, cooking, and occasionally playing softball with a local wreck league. One of her all-time favorite quotes is by Warren Buffett: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Melinda resides in the Outer Banks with her husband and their two Green Cheek Conures.

CA Insurance License: 4021119, Resident State NC.

Education:

North Carolina State University, B.A. in Animal Science, 2003. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Whichard Woolard & Mitchell Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. 

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Whichard Woolard & Mitchell Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. 

Laura "Melinda" Van Buren, Financial Advisor

For Melinda, empowering clients to achieve their financial dreams is at the heart of her professional mission. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, she is dedicated to helping clients clarify and attain their financial goals through thoughtful, fiduciary-focused planning, disciplined investing, and ongoing risk management. Melinda started her banking career in 2005 with the State Employees Credit Union of North Carolina, where she built a strong foundation in client relationships and financial fundamentals for over a decade before advancing to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2015. During her tenure at SECU, she became a licensed insurance agent, registered senior mortgage loan officer, and a VITA tax preparer from 2008 to 2014. She also became a registered investment advisor in 2013.

In 2015, Melinda transitioned to Wells Fargo Advisor Solutions, working with clients all over the United States. She progressed to a Senior Financial Advisor and team lead during her time there, while also obtaining her designation as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor. In August 2019, just before Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, Melinda joined Whichard Woolard & Mitchell, where she plays an integral role in incorporating wealth planning for clients. Melinda earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification in 2021, General Securities Sales Supervisor license (Series 9/10) in 2025 and Certified Exit Planning Advisor CEPA in 2026, demonstrating her commitment to comprehensive wealth planning. Her passion is working with business owners and high-net-worth families to efficiently grow, protect, and transition wealth for generations to come.

Melinda actively contributes to her community through leadership roles with the Kitty Hawk Rotary Club, serving as Club Secretary from 2020 - 2025, and President from 2025 - 2026, and on the board of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, where she serves on the Finance and Development Committees. She also volunteers with the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and various local organizations, supporting economic and community development efforts on the Outer Banks. Additionally, she completed Leadership OBX, Class of 2019-2020.

In her free time, Melinda enjoys golfing, shelling at Oregon Inlet, kayaking in Colington, cooking, and occasionally playing softball with a local wreck league. One of her all-time favorite quotes is by Warren Buffett: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Melinda resides in the Outer Banks with her husband and their two Green Cheek Conures.

CA Insurance License: 4021119, Resident State NC.

Education:

North Carolina State University, B.A. in Animal Science, 2003. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Whichard Woolard & Mitchell Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. 

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Whichard Woolard & Mitchell Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN.