Cerity Partners Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Cerity Partners has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and marketing.

Driven by a commitment to client-focused solutions, Cerity Partners positively impacts clients' financial well-being by providing objective financial advice and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.

Leadership Roles at Cerity Partners

  • Chief Executive Officer - Walter Brown
  • Partner & Chief Executive Officer - Kurt Miscinski
  • Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor - Alex Hale
  • Chief Operating Officer - Robert Jeffers
  • Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Client Practice - Christopher Hemstead
  • Principal, Director of Operations Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer - Kirsten Shaw
  • Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer - Karen Angrisano
  • Chief of Staff - Rachel Barham
  • Chief Information Officer - Kevin Bartman
  • Partner and Chief Marketing Officer - Tara Ryan
  • Walter Brown - Chief Executive Officer

    Walter Brown, the Chief Executive Officer at Cerity Partners, directs the overarching strategic vision and operational framework for the firm. Brown guides the company's expansion across the United States, ensuring alignment with the mission to deliver high-quality, client-focused solutions to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. This leadership role involves setting the direction for all departments, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, and driving the continuous improvement necessary to maintain the highest professional standards. Walter Brown's executive oversight ensures that Cerity Partners remains a national leader in providing comprehensive financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory services. The focus remains on positively impacting clients' financial well-being through objective advice and robust service delivery.

    Kurt Miscinski - Partner & Chief Executive Officer

    Kurt Miscinski, the Partner & Chief Executive Officer at Cerity Partners, spearheads the firm's strategic direction and operational execution. Miscinski drives the integration of diverse advisory services, including financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory, across all national offices. This role demands a deep understanding of the financial services landscape and a commitment to enhancing client outcomes for high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Kurt Miscinski's leadership ensures the firm upholds its commitment to excellence and client-centricity, fostering a culture that values collaboration and accountability. The objective is to continuously improve service delivery and positively impact clients' financial well-being through objective, high-quality advice.
    Kurt Miscinski

    Alex Hale - Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor

    Alex Hale, the Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor at Cerity Partners, oversees the firm's financial health and provides strategic financial guidance. Hale manages financial planning, reporting, and resource allocation to support the firm's national operations and growth objectives. This role is critical in ensuring the financial stability required to deliver comprehensive services, including investment management, legal, and tax advisory, to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Alex Hale's financial acumen supports Cerity Partners' mission to provide objective advice while maintaining the highest professional standards and a continuous drive for improvement in client financial well-being.

    Robert Jeffers - Chief Operating Officer

    Robert Jeffers, the Chief Operating Officer at Cerity Partners, manages the day-to-day operational efficiency and effectiveness of the firm's national presence. Jeffers oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives across all offices, ensuring seamless integration of financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory services. This critical role focuses on optimizing internal processes and resource allocation to support the delivery of high-quality, client-focused solutions. Robert Jeffers' leadership ensures that the firm's infrastructure supports its mission to positively impact clients' financial well-being by providing objective advice while upholding the highest professional standards. The operational framework under Jeffers' guidance emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and a continuous drive for improvement.

    Christopher Hemstead - Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Client Practice

    Christopher Hemstead, the Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Client Practice at Cerity Partners, leads the operational execution within the firm's client-facing divisions. Hemstead ensures the seamless delivery of integrated financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations across the United States. This role emphasizes optimizing client engagement processes and enhancing service quality to meet the firm's commitment to client-focused solutions. Christopher Hemstead's operational leadership drives efficiency and effectiveness within client practices, reinforcing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. The objective is to positively impact clients' financial well-being through objective, high-quality advice.

    Kirsten Shaw - Principal, Director of Operations Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

    Kirsten Shaw, the Principal, Director of Operations Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer at Cerity Partners, spearheads critical operational improvement projects across the firm. Shaw focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, particularly in financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory functions. This role supports the Chief Operating Officer in driving strategic initiatives that benefit high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations nationwide. Kirsten Shaw's work is integral to fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, ensuring continuous improvement in client-focused solutions. The aim is to uphold the highest professional standards and positively impact clients' financial well-being.

    Karen Angrisano - Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

    Karen Angrisano, the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer at Cerity Partners, holds dual responsibility for operational excellence and regulatory adherence across the firm. Angrisano manages the firm's operational infrastructure while ensuring strict compliance with all relevant financial regulations, safeguarding the interests of high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. This integrated role ensures that operational processes align with compliance requirements, supporting the delivery of objective, high-quality financial advice. Karen Angrisano's leadership reinforces Cerity Partners' commitment to the highest professional standards and a culture of accountability. The focus is on maintaining operational integrity and client trust nationwide.

    Rachel Barham - Chief of Staff

    Rachel Barham, the Chief of Staff at Cerity Partners, provides strategic support and operational coordination across the executive leadership team. Barham facilitates the execution of key initiatives, ensuring alignment with the firm's mission to serve high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations with integrated financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory services. This role involves streamlining communication, managing special projects, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the executive office. Rachel Barham's contributions are vital to maintaining a culture of collaboration and accountability, driving continuous improvement in service delivery. The focus remains on supporting the delivery of objective, high-quality financial advice nationwide.

    Kevin Bartman - Chief Information Officer

    Kevin Bartman, the Chief Information Officer at Cerity Partners, directs the firm's technology strategy and infrastructure to support its national operations. Bartman oversees the development and implementation of secure, scalable IT systems that enhance client service delivery and internal efficiency across financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory functions. This leadership position is crucial for maintaining the firm's competitive edge and ensuring data integrity for high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Kevin Bartman's focus on technological innovation supports Cerity Partners' mission to provide objective financial advice while upholding the highest professional standards and fostering a culture of excellence.

    Tara Ryan - Partner and Chief Marketing Officer

    Tara Ryan, the Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Cerity Partners, directs the firm's comprehensive marketing and brand strategy. Ryan oversees initiatives designed to enhance market presence and communicate the value of Cerity Partners' integrated services, including financial planning, investment management, legal, and tax advisory, to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. This leadership role is pivotal in driving client acquisition and retention through targeted campaigns and strategic communications. Tara Ryan's expertise ensures the firm's message resonates with its target audience, reinforcing its commitment to client-focused solutions and objective financial advice nationwide. The focus remains on building brand equity and supporting the firm's growth objectives.
    Tara Ryan

    Explore Leadership Teams in Finance

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cerity Partners Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Cerity Partners?
    Cerity Partners is led by Walter Brown (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Kurt Miscinski (Partner & Chief Executive Officer) and Alex Hale (Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor).
    Who is part of Cerity Partners’s executive team?
    The executive team of Cerity Partners includes leaders such as Walter Brown (Chief Executive Officer), Kurt Miscinski (Partner & Chief Executive Officer), Alex Hale (Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Cerity Partners have?
    Cerity Partners has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Cerity Partners’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Cerity Partners includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Principal. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Business Services Advisor, Chief Operating Officer, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Client Practice.