Core Insights - The CFP Board has appointed Terri Kallsen as the new Chair, effective January 1, 2026, to lead the organization through a CEO succession process as current CEO Kevin Keller prepares to retire in April after nearly two decades of leadership [2][3] Group 1: Leadership Transition - Kallsen's primary focus as Chair is to ensure a rigorous CEO succession process that maintains continuity and stability for the organization, which she believes will shape the future of financial planning [3] - The Board is actively searching for Keller's successor both internally and externally, marking a significant leadership transition [7] Group 2: Kallsen's Background - Kallsen is a managing partner and head of partnerships at Rise Growth Partners and has previously held significant roles at Wealth Enhancement and Charles Schwab, where she oversaw 7,000 employees and $1.6 trillion in managed assets [3] Group 3: Focus Areas - During her tenure, Kallsen will prioritize artificial intelligence, ethics, and the quality of financial planning, reflecting the evolving landscape of the financial planning profession [4] - The Board has established an AI Working Group to explore the impact of AI on financial planning, including participants from major firms like LPL Financial and Fidelity [4] Group 4: Technological Initiatives - Earlier in the year, the CFP Board introduced an AI-backed exam preparation tool for advisors and released a Generative AI Ethics Guide to assist advisors in using generative AI ethically [6] Group 5: Historical Context - Under Keller's leadership since 2007, the CFP Board has undergone significant changes, including relocating its headquarters from Denver to Washington, D.C., and revising its sanctions and procedural guidelines [7] - Some of these changes were prompted by a 2019 investigation revealing the Board's failure to vet the regulatory and disciplinary histories of numerous CFP professionals [8]