CFP Board taps Rise's Terri Kallsen as chair-elect for 2025

The CFP Board has updated its multi-year leadership succession plan as it reveals the next person in line to head its directorial board.

The professional body for personal financial planners announced Tuesday that its board of directors has named Terri Kallsen as the 2025 chair-elect.

The decision, made during the board's July 2024 meeting, follows the tenure of current chair-elect Liz Miller, who will assume the chair role in 2025. Kallsen is set to become chair of the board in 2026.

“Terri’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the financial planning profession make her an outstanding choice for this role,” Matthew Boersen, who ascended as chair of the board of directors this year, said in a statement.

Kallsen serves is the senior operating partner at Rise Growth Partners, the venture conceived by Joe Duran to help RIA firms pursue their national growth ambitions. His vision to help the next generation of RIAs got a strong financial shot in the arm this year with a $250 million commitment from PE firm Charlesbank Capital Partners.

Kallsen got in on the ground floor, joining Rise in October last year – just a month after Duran unveiled his plans to launch Rise. Now she’s hit her stride, providing guidance on business management, client service, and growth strategies to middle-market RIAs at Rise.

She’s been with CFP Board since 2022, when she first took a seat as board director. She’s the current chair of the finance and investment committee, a former chair of the audit committee, and frequently takes the stage at certificant connection events.

“With Terri's visionary leadership, I am confident that CFP Board will continue to strengthen the value of CFP certification and support our financial planning professionals in delivering exceptional service to their clients,” Boersen said.

Kallsen's career prior to Rise Growth Partners includes her position as COO at Wealth Enhancement Group, where she implemented strategies to enhance service delivery to financial advisors.

She was also executive vice president of Investor Services at Charles Schwab, leading 7,000 employees and increasing the number of CFP designation holders while optimizing financial planning processes in the Schwab Retail Branch Network. Before Schwab, Kallsen occupied senior leadership positions at USAA and Thrivent.

“I am honored to be selected as the 2025 Board Chair-Elect by my colleagues on the Board of Directors,” Kallsen said.

“I look forward to leveraging my 30 years of experience in C-suite and entrepreneurial roles to increase the number of competent and ethical financial planners, uphold CFP certification as the recognized standard and advance the financial planning profession to better serve the public,” she said.