Kestra Financial has appointed Kelly Apple as its next head of wealth management.
Her appointment marks the end of a lengthy executive search process for the role that opened after John Amore was elevated to president of the firm in April 2025, replacing Stephen Langlois who retired at the end of last year.
Amore has continued to oversee the firm’s wealth management operations while the search for his successor continued, with Apple bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in asset management and intermediary distribution to the position.
She spent over 13 years at BlackRock, most recently serving as managing director and head of national accounts and previously held senior roles at DWS Investments and Van Kampen Investments, now part of Invesco.
Apple will oversee Kestra's wealth management organization, leading teams spanning investment management, high-net-worth and advanced planning, advisory solutions, retirement and insurance, alternative investments, and due diligence, across both Kestra Financial and Kestra Private Wealth Services, the firm's breakaway-advisor channel.
The appointment reflects what Kestra described as a deliberate search to define the next chapter of its wealth management organization following the internal restructuring that accompanied Amore's promotion.
"Kelly's experience building partnerships and high-performing teams will help our community of complete wealth managers thrive," Amore said in a statement.
Apple said she was drawn to the firm's foundation. "Kestra has built something unique in this industry - a strong foundation for advisors who want to grow," she said.
The hire arrives as independent broker-dealers and RIA platforms continue to compete aggressively for both advisor talent and senior operational leadership.
Apple's background in national accounts and distribution also positions Kestra to deepen its reach with asset management partners at a time when the role of alternative investments in advisor-led portfolios is expanding significantly. Her oversight of the alternatives and due diligence functions will be closely watched as advisors demand more sophisticated access to private markets.
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