The CFP Board marks a milestone in 2025 as it turns 40, but as well as an important anniversary it will also be marking a historic period for the diversity of its board of directors.
In announcing two new female directors Tuesday - Debra BenAvram and Rose Palazzo - the organization will have a majority-female board for the first time since it was founded in 1985.
CFP Board chair-elect Liz Miller, CFP, CFA, welcomed the two new members of the board and hailed their experience and values.
"Their diverse expertise and commitment to upholding ethical standards will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial planning. I look forward to partnering with them to serve the public and reinforce CFP certification as the standard for competent and ethical financial planning,” she said.
Miller will chair the board from 2025 as the terms of current Board Chair Matt Boersen, CFP, CFA, Aneri Jambusaria, CFP, MBA, Richard Sherlock and Nancy Smith, J.D., expire. Terri Kallsen, CFP, will become board chair-elect.
The board will include 12 voting members made up of nine CFP professionals and three non-CFP professionals. The organization’s bylaws require that at least two of the members are non-CFP to represent the public.
Debra BenAvram, FASAE, CAE, is one of the public-representing members and has CEO experience at several organizations including the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies. She also chairs the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice.
Rose Palazzo is a principal of Edward Jones and is a fintech leader with more than 20 years of experience with specialism in building tech solutions that help financial advisors get better outcomes for their clients. She is a former Envestnet group president of financial planning and spent many years at both Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.
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