Cresset appoints Jessica Malkin to chief growth officer role

Cresset is taking another pivotal step in its expansion strategy as a member of its C-suite takes on a broader mandate.

On Tuesday, the top-ranked RIA announced that Jessica Malkin will serve as its new chief growth officer and executive managing director.

Malkin, who has been with Cresset since 2019 when she joined as a member of its advisory board, after which she took on a full-time executive vice president position, will continue overseeing the firm’s marketing, brand, and client experience strategies, while also leading new growth initiatives for the $55 billion multi-family office.

In her expanded role, Malkin will be responsible for a variety of strategic efforts, such as overseeing Cresset’s advisor team lift-out program, expanding its digital marketing initiatives, and strengthening client engagement.

Malkin has been serving as chief marketing officer since 2021 and will continue in that role, accoring to the firm.

“With the number of advisors moving toward independent RIAs like Cresset showing no signs of slowing, Jessica is exactly the person we need to engage with those advisors,” Susie Cranston, president and chief operating officer at Cresset, said in a Tuesday morning statement. “Jessica's leadership has been an integral part of the Cresset journey in building one of the leading brands among multi-family offices.”

Malkin expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I am honored to take on the role of chief growth officer for a firm that is fundamentally changing the way people experience wealth and reimagining how successful individuals and families engage with their wealth managers.”

This year, Cresset's efforts at expansion have brought some top-caliber advisory talent through its doors including its acquisition of The Connable Office in June, a deal that resulted in a $52 billion ultra-high-net-worth operation, and its addition of two JPMorgan teams managing roughly $5 billion in client assets in April.

Before joining Cresset full-time, Malkin had an extensive background in leadership roles across various industries, including serving as the founding chief executive officer of Chicago Ideas. She also previously held the position of chief of staff at Uptake, an industrial AI software company.

In September, Cresset made another C-suite addition with the appointment of Amy Hong as its new chief compliance officer and executive managing director. The veteran with decades of experience in the financial services industry, including roles at JPMorgan and First Republic, succeeded Bob Pagliuco.