Kestra Financial Appoints Kelly Apple as Next Head of Wealth Management

Experienced financial services executive selected following a strategic search for a leader to advance Kestra's evolving wealth management strategy

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kestra Financial, an industry-leading wealth management platform, today announced the appointment of Kelly Apple as Head of Wealth Management. The appointment follows a strategic search to identify the leader who will guide the next chapter of Kestra’s wealth management business. As the firm continues to invest in helping advisors serve their clients as complete wealth managers, Apple will lead efforts to continue strengthening and expanding Kestra's investment, planning, and advisory capabilities.

Following John Amore's promotion to President of Kestra Financial, the firm undertook a deliberate search to define the future of its wealth management organization and identify the right leader for its next phase of growth. Apple emerged as the clear choice given her extensive leadership experience, strategic perspective, and track record of building strong partnerships across the wealth management ecosystem.

In her new role, Apple will lead Kestra's wealth management organization, bringing together the teams, resources, and expertise that support advisors across investment management, high-net-worth and advanced planning, advisory solutions, retirement, insurance, alternative investments, and due diligence across both Kestra Financial and its breakaway-advisor channel Kestra Private Wealth Services (Kestra PWS). She joins as Kestra continues to attract high-quality, growth-oriented advisory firms, with a focus on equipping them with the resources they need to serve clients more comprehensively.

Apple joins Kestra from BlackRock, where she spent more than 13 years, most recently as Managing Director and Head of National Accounts, leading the team responsible for the firm's largest distribution partnerships. She brings more than two decades of leadership experience in asset management and intermediary distribution, including prior senior roles at DWS Investments and Van Kampen Investments (now Invesco), along with a track record of building scalable partnerships and high-performing teams.

Apple’s appointment reflects Kestra's broader strategy of investing in the leadership and capabilities needed to help advisors grow and serve clients as complete wealth managers. Recent investments across business development, operations, and client service have strengthened the firm’s ability to support growth-oriented advisory businesses and the clients they serve.

“When I stepped into the role of President, our leadership team saw an opportunity to thoughtfully define what this position needed to be for the future of our business," said John Amore, President of Kestra Financial. “We were committed to finding the right leader to help shape our wealth management strategy, strengthen the capabilities available to advisors, and position us for long-term growth. Kelly’s experience building partnerships and high-performing teams, paired with a deep understanding of what today's advisors need to grow, will help our community of complete wealth managers thrive."

"Advisors today are being asked to deliver increasingly comprehensive advice across every stage of a client's financial life,” said Apple. “Kestra has built something unique in this industry – a strong foundation for advisors who want to grow and deepen their client relationships – and I'm excited to help expand the capabilities and resources that support their success."

For more information about joining Kestra Financial and Kestra PWS, visit www.kestrafinancial.com.

About Kestra Financial
Kestra Financial is a leading independent wealth management platform headquartered in Austin, Texas. A division of Kestra Holdings and established in 1997, the firm empowers independent financial professionals and wealth management firms – including traditional and hybrid RIAs – by offering personalized support, integrated business management technology, and access to a collaborative community of like-minded financial professionals. With a culture rich in reinvention, Kestra Financial has developed integrated business management technology that, combined with its personalized consulting services, offers exceptional scale and efficiency.

The Kestra Financial division includes affiliates of Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC (Kestra PWS), Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS) and Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Securities offered through registered representatives of Kestra IS. Investment advisory services offered through appropriately licensed representatives of Kestra AS or Kestra PWS. Kestra Financial, Kestra PWS, Kestra IS, Kestra AS, Bluespring Wealth Partners, Kestra Investment Management, Arden Trust Company and Comprehensive Brokerage Services are affiliated under common ownership of Kestra Holdings. For more information about Kestra Financial, please visit www.kestrafinancial.com.