Leo J. Kelly IIICBEC®

Leo is the Founder and CEO of Verdence, providing proven expertise to advise ultra-high net worth family office, executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes on an array of complex, custom financial solutions.  Leo specializes in business strategy, business succession, liquidity event planning, estate planning, philanthropy, and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) services. He has been recognized as both an industry and thought leader by some of the most prestigious financial publications. His perspectives and business philosophies are featured regularly as a contributor on CNBC, Fox Business News, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV and Radio, and countless others. Prior to founding Verdence Capital Advisors, Leo was a Managing Director, Partner at HighTower Advisors. He was formerly a Managing Director and Circle of Champions member at Merrill Lynch. Leo began his career in the financial industry in research at Bloomberg, LP.

Get to know Leo!

If I was not a financial advisor, I would be:

“It depends on the age you asked the question. It went from superhero, to fireman,
to quarterback, to engineer, to lawyer, to this. While I would never change my choice,
I think being a superhero would be cool.“

Best piece of advice from my parents:

“We grew up in a very financially modest environment. I was taught that whatever you want in life can be achieved with hard work and great passion. What you choose to do isn’t important, it’s doing it to the best of your ability. That and family before all else.”

If I could invite anyone, living or dead, for dinner, I would invite:

“My father. I miss him tremendously. No matter how much we love someone,
we never truly understand their impact on our lives until they are gone.
I would like to have a burger and fries with him one more time.”

News story headline about my life:

“Trenton Kid Marries Up and Surprises High School Teachers with Career.”

3 words that describe Leo:

“Husband, Father, Friend”