Terri Kallsen begins board chair role at CFP Board

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 6, 2026 – CFP Board announced that Terri Kallsen, CFP^® has ascended to the role of Chair of its Board of Directors.

As Chair, Kallsen leads the professional body that certifies more than 107,000 financial planning professionals across the country. Kallsen was elected Chair-Elect by her fellow Board members in 2024 and began her term as Board Chair on January 1, 2026, 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 begins her term during a pivotal period. Kevin R. Keller, CAE will retire 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.”

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. 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.

As Managing Partner and Head of Partnerships at Rise Growth Partners, a minority investor and strategic advisor to leading firms, Kallsen leads enterprise transformation for partner companies, driving strategic planning, organic growth initiatives, client experience innovation, and platform and performance reporting enhancements. She has won numerous awards for her dedication to mentorship and advisor advocacy.

Kallsen previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Wealth Enhancement Group (WEG). Prior to WEG, she was Executive Vice President of Investor Services at Charles Schwab, where she led 7,000 employees and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. Kallsen also held senior leadership roles at USAA and Thrivent.

Kallsen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from College of St. Benedict/Saint John’s University in Minnesota and a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She earned her CFP^® certification in 2005 and is also a Certified Wealth Strategist^®.