CFP Board has appointed Kathryn Berkenpas, CFP, as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective May 4, 2026, following a national search. Berkenpas currently serves as Managing Director, Corporate Growth at CFP Board and is the first CFP professional to hold the organization’s COO role — a distinction the organization says reflects its commitment to leadership that is deeply grounded in the financial planning profession. She succeeds K. Dane Snowden, who was promoted to CEO in March, and will step into one of the most operationally central roles at the body that sets and upholds standards for personal financial planners in the United States.
In her new role, Berkenpas will lead CFP Board’s core business operations, including certification, marketing, communications, public relations, and its public awareness campaign. She will also oversee key administrative areas, helping to strengthen internal processes, enable strategic initiatives, and enhance experiences for CFP professionals, candidates, and other stakeholders across the organization’s programs and services. The appointment is described as coming at a pivotal time for the profession, as demand for competent and ethical financial advice continues to grow and CFP Board works to meet it at scale.
Berkenpas brings extensive experience in operations, strategy, and organizational leadership across the financial services and retirement industries. She joined CFP Board in April 2025 as Managing Director, Corporate Growth, focusing on strengthening relationships with financial services firms and developing strategies to grow CFP certification among firm employees. Prior to CFP Board, she served as Group Director at Morgan Stanley’s The Chesapeake Capitol Group, overseeing client relationships and a $2 billion assets-under-management practice, and spent nearly 16 years at MissionSquare Retirement, including as Vice President of Client Enablement.
Berkenpas earned the CFP certification in 2004, holds a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech through its CFP Board Registered Program. CFP Board CEO K. Dane Snowden described her as bringing sharp strategic instincts, deep experience leading high-performing teams, and a clear understanding of how to turn priorities into impact. CFP certification is currently held by more than 109,000 people in the United States, and CFP Board’s mission is to ensure the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning.
KEY QUOTES:
“Kathryn brings sharp strategic instincts, deep experience leading high-performing teams and a clear understanding of how to turn priorities into impact. She knows this profession, she knows the people in it and she cares deeply about the Americans they serve.”
K. Dane Snowden, CEO, CFP Board
“This is a pivotal time for the profession, and we need to do all we can to meet the growing demand for competent and ethical financial advice. As someone who has spent her career in the profession, I am committed to supporting the important work of the more than 109,000 CFP® professionals who serve the public interest.”
Kathryn Berkenpas, Chief Operating Officer, CFP Board
