November 14, 2022 – Washington, D.C.-based Vetted Solutions has been selected to find the next chief executive officer of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), a Chicago-based association dedicated only to fee-based financial planning. Meanwhile, search firm Vice President Leslie M. Stokes, who has served in various associations throughout his career, has been named NAPFA’s interim executive director. This summer, Jeffrey Brown announced he will step down as the association’s top post, effective Tuesday, to accept a new role as president and CEO of The Illinois CPA Society.
“We look forward to working with Leslie and the Vetted Solutions team to guide us through this transition and finding a permanent CEO,” said NAPFA President Jeff Jones. “With his experience and knowledge of association management and organizational leadership transitions, we are confident he will effectively lead NAPFA and the Board of Directors during his time with us.”
In her current role with Vetted, Ms. Stokes has recruited and placed C-level executives for prominent organizations experiencing growth and transformation like NAPFA, the trade group said. In addition, he has experience in executive search, organizational transition, association management, strategic long-term planning, customer journey maps, branding strategy, market research, organizational change, operations, membership engagement, sales and diversity, inclusion and equity programs, NAPFA said:
Daily guidance
The CEO oversees NAPFA’s business operations and provides day-to-day leadership and management to a team of committed staff. Additional responsibilities include working with the board of directors, working with committees and boards with high volunteer involvement, and managing finances and budgets.
Building on strong financial and operational foundations, NAPFA is looking to have an Executive Director to lead and manage the recently adopted 2022-2025 strategic framework that will drive advocacy; diversity, equity and inclusion; and professional excellence. The new Executive Director will continue to increase public awareness of fee-only planning professionals, increase and diversify NAPFA membership, and enhance the professional excellence of NAPFA members through a strong educational portfolio.
The Executive Director serves as a spokesperson for NAPFA, making public appearances and maintaining contacts with the press, relevant associations, the higher education community, and government agencies.
Essential Qualifications:
“The successful candidate will thrive in a mission-driven environment that emphasizes relationship building and teamwork, consensus building, diversity, equity and inclusion, and integrity,” Vetted Solutions said. “The ideal candidate will have association management experience and a passion for personal financial planning.”
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Prospects must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; Master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred. A minimum of 10 years of executive management experience, at senior staff level or above, in association management or business management is also required; C-suite experience preferred.
Vetted Solutions said candidates should be familiar with the personal financial planning profession and, as a plus, with a fee-only model. Highly effective and engaging communication skills – oral, written, public speaking and listening – are essential for this role. A friendly, approachable and positive personality with good interpersonal skills would be ideal for this position. The right candidate will be a leader who shows evidence of being an innovative thinker, driving new ideas that take the association to the next level. He must also provide financial management leadership and guidance to staff with P&L responsibilities.
Transforming organizations through culture and DE+I initiatives
In this all-new episode, Hunt Scanlon Media’s Rob Adams is joined by Jim Zaniello, President of Vetted Solutions, and James Pogue, President of JP Enterprises. In this episode, Mr. Zaniello and Dr. Pogue discuss diversity, equity and inclusion and the impact it has had on the workforce and workplace. The two leaders also discuss the importance of having an inclusive culture and some of the challenges and successes they’ve seen when it comes to DE+I. Listen now!
Founded in 1983. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is the nation’s leading organization of fee-only comprehensive financial planning professionals. NAPFA has more than 4,400 members nationwide. Individuals join an organization to improve skills, market services, and be part of a collective, influential voice on issues that affect them and their clients.
Non-commercial recruiters
Vetted Solutions, a nonprofit, government, and association sector recruiting firm, focuses on recruiting for board members, executive directors, and senior staff positions at nationally recognized and well-known organizations. Recent searches by the company include CEO of the Creative Industries Association, CEO of the American Society for Microbiology, CEO of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and CEO of the American Academy of Optometry.
Jim Zaniello, the company’s president and founder, has spent more than two decades in roles ranging from nonprofit CEO to publisher of the leading nonprofit executive search tool. He is also known to have a keen understanding of the complex demands of an executive office through his own experience as CEO of several associations and non-profit organizations.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
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