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Today we talk with Leo Kelly about what it really takes to move from successful advisor to full-time CEO while scaling a client-first RIA. We dig into hiring, culture, and the hard tradeoffs behind building a platform firm that can grow without breaking client experience.
Key topics discussed in this episode:
• Building Verdence around the idea that the client is the architect
• Hiring people not positions and recruiting for character
• Building capacity ahead of growth to reduce stress and protect service
• Addressing culture problems quickly without avoiding hard calls
• Committing financially, emotionally, and in identity to the CEO role
• Leading through market crises by leaning into the hard moments
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About Leo
Leo J. Kelly III is the Founder and CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors, an independent wealth advisory and multi-family office firm based in Hunt Valley, Maryland. He and his partners built Verdence from the ground up in 2017, and the firm now serves business owners, corporate executives, and high-net-worth families.
Before founding Verdence, Leo spent two decades in wealth management, first at Merrill Lynch and later as a Managing Director and Partner at HighTower Advisors. That background shaped how he leads today, with a focus on independence, culture, and client-centric relationships.
As a founder himself, Leo understands what entrepreneurs face when they build, scale, and sell a company. He hosts the podcast From the Ground Up, where he talks with founders about how they started and what they learned.
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About Kristin Burke
Kristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.
Work with Kristin
If you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:
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