CFP Board CEO Keller retiring

The CFP Board today announced it will be looking for a new leader to succeed Kevin Keller, who will retire as CEO next April.

Keller has served as leader of the professional body for personal financial planners for nearly two decades. The CFP board of directors said in a statement it has initiated a planned succession process to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Under Keller’s leadership, the CFP Board nearly doubled the number of CFP professionals to more than 103,000, with a record 10,400 candidates sitting for the CFP exam in 2024. It also claims having more than doubled the public recognition of CFP certification through a public awareness campaign that targeted millions of consumers through digital, television, and print media.

Elsewhere, Keller oversaw a surge in advisor pro bono activities, with CFP professionals volunteering a record 389,435 hours in 2024, an 18 percent increase from the previous year.

Keller was also instrumental in relocating the organization’s headquarters from Denver to Washington, DC and creating the Center for Financial Planning, which focused on diversifying the ranks of financial advisors.

“It has been the privilege of my career to serve the CFP professional community as CFP Board’s CEO and work alongside our dedicated Board of Directors, thousands of volunteers, stakeholders and staff to expand access to competent, ethical financial planning,” Keller said in a statement.

“CFP Board is stronger than ever, with robust leadership, clear strategic direction and momentum that will carry the organization forward. I am confident that the board of directors will select a successor who will lead CFP Board to even greater heights.”

The CFP board of directors said it has created a search committee and will hire an executive search firm later this year to review internal candidates, as well as conduct a national search.

“Kevin's visionary leadership has transformed CFP Board and the financial planning profession,” said Liz Miller, chair of the board of directors of CFP Board in a statement. “Under his stewardship, CFP Board has achieved unprecedented growth and awareness while elevating the standards of the financial planning profession. The organization is well-positioned for its next chapter of leadership and continued success.”