The CFP Board announced that Terri Kallsen, CFP® has assumed the role of Chair of its Board of Directors, having begun her term on January 1.
The election of Kallsen came at the CFP Board of Directors July 2024 meeting. Her predecessor was Liz Miller, CFP®, who served as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2025.
Kallsen joined the CFP Board as a Board Director in 2022 and went on to become Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee, former Chair of the Audit Committee, and a former member of the Governance Committee.
She will now lead the professional body that certifies more than 107,000 financial planning professionals across the country, setting policy and guiding strategy for CFP Board of Standards and CFP Board Center for Financial Planning.
“I’m honored to step into this leadership role at CFP Board at such a critical moment for our profession,” said Kallsen. “My first priority as Chair is to lead a rigorous CEO succession process that ensures continuity and stability for our organization. Continuity is of the utmost importance — not just for CFP Board, but for the millions of everyday Americans whose financial security depends on the trusted guidance of CFP® professionals. This is more than a leadership transition; it’s a decision that will shape the future of financial planning and determine how effectively we serve the public for decades to come.”
Kallsen will usher in a new era for the CFP Board with the impending retirement of Kevin R. Keller, CAE in April 2026 after serving nearly two decades as the organization’s CEO.
“This profession is at an inflection point, and Terri is built for this moment,” said Keller. “She has the experience to navigate the complex, the conviction to defend the fiduciary standard without compromise and the vision to expand access to quality advice for the Americans who need it.”
The CFP Board said that as Chair, Kallsen will champion efforts to uphold standards related to artificial intelligence (AI), ethics, client service and the quality of financial planning. “She will foster innovation and support the continued evolution of planning models, including responsible technology adoption, always guided by what best serves clients,” the Board states. “As consumers’ financial lives become increasingly complex and demand for integrated planning grows, Kallsen will lead CFP Board in strengthening the talent pipeline and fulfilling its essential role to support CFP® professionals.”
She currently serves as the Senior Operating Partner at Rise Growth Partners, a financial partner for middle-market registered investment advisors (RIAs). She advises the firm’s partner RIAs on business management, client service delivery and growth strategies. The CFP Board called Kallsen an “outstanding choice” for the Board Chair due to her extensive experience and dedication to the profession of financial planning.
Prior to joining Rise Growth, Kallsen was Chief Operating Officer at Wealth Enhancement Group. In that role, she orchestrated organization-wide plans that enabled the company to serve its financial advisors more efficiently and effectively. Previously she was Executive Vice President – Investor Services at Charles Schwab, leading 7,000 employees and spearheading an increase in CFP® professional designations.
Hyman Cotter PC represents advisors, brokers and other financial professional in all matters involving the CFP Board, including CFP Board investigations. Headquartered in Chicago, our securities attorneys represent clients nationwide. For more information relating to CFP Board investigations and discipline or other matters, contact Hyman Cotter PC at 312-291-4600 or through our online contact form for a free consultation
