Leo J. Kelly III

Leo Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors, an independent wealth advisory and multi-family office firm. He and his partners built the firm from the ground up, and Leo knows firsthand what it takes to build a business. Verdence serves business owners and high-net-worth families. The firm helps clients with business strategy, succession planning, philanthropy, and wealth management. Leo is a founder himself, so he understands the complexities owners face when they grow a company, pass it to the next generation, or sell it.

Leo shares his views on markets, the economy, and leadership on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg, as well as host on From the Ground Up podcast. Before Verdence, Leo was a Managing Director and Partner at Hightower Advisors. He was previously a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch. He began his career in research at Bloomberg, LP.

Get to know Leo!

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

“It depends on the age you asked the question. It went from superhero to fireman, quarterback, engineer, and 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 ask:

“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.”

Three words that describe Leo:

“Husband, Father, Friend”