NAPFA names Kathryn Dattomo new CEO

NAPFA Dattomo

Dattomo, a longtime executive for medical associations, takes over from Geoffrey Brown, who departed NAPFA in November to become CEO of the Illinois CPA Society.

Kathryn A. Dattomo will take over as chief executive of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors next month, the organization announced Monday.

Dattomo will become NAPFA’s leader on March 13, filling a position that has been open since the November departure of former CEO Geoffrey Brown. Brown, who had served as NAPFA CEO since 2013, became CEO of the Illinois CPA Society in December.

Dattomo comes to NAPFA from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, where she was chief development officer and led the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation. Prior to that, she worked for 15 years at the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and headed its foundation.

“As a veteran association professional, I’m very excited to join NAPFA, the leading organization for fee-only financial advisors,” Dattomo said in a statement. “NAPFA’s commitment to professional development and member success mirrors my own values, and I look forward to upholding the organization’s strong priorities and expanding its reach to advance NAPFA, the member community and the financial planning profession.”

In the statement, NAPFA highlighted Dattomo’s “extensive experience” in strategic planning, non-dues revenue, marketing, education programs and member engagement for associations. It also said she would lead its efforts in “key areas,” including advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, and professional excellence.

“Kathryn’s strategic drive and her long, distinguished career in the association management community make her the perfect choice to lead NAPFA into the next phase of its development,” NAPFA Chairman Jeff Jones said in the statement.

The organization, which is based in Chicago and was founded in 1983, has more than 4,500 members. In 2012, it decided to admit only new members who hold the certified financial planner designation. In 2020, NAPFA achieved revenue of $2.8 million and a profit of $95,216, according to its most recent IRS Form 990.

“We provide networking opportunities, education, business development and advocacy to promote the success of fee-only, comprehensive financial advisors,” NAPFA states in its Form 990.