CFP Board Welcomes New Board of Directors

CFP Board announced that its Board of Directors has elected two new members: Debra BenAvram and Rose Palazzo. The Board of Directors is the policymaking and oversight body of CFP Board of Standards and CFP Board Center for Financial Planning and acts on behalf of CFP professionals and the public to advance the profession.

With the addition of Debra BenAvram and Rose Palazzo, the newly configured Board of Directors will be the first in CFP Board’s history to have a majority of women members.

“It’s an honor to welcome Debra and Rose to our Board of Directors,” said CFP Board Chair-elect Liz Miller, CFP, CFA. “Their diverse expertise and commitment to upholding ethical standards will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial planning. I look forward to partnering with them to serve the public and reinforce CFP certification as the standard for competent and ethical financial planning.”

BenAvram is a seasoned association executive with a track record in managing organizations and certification programs. She served 16 years at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, including 11 as CEO, where she streamlined certification exams and enhanced program value. As CEO of the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, she launched and expanded a new certification program.

BenAvram also chairs the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice and is active with the American Society for Association Executives and the Washington, DC, YPO Chapter. She holds a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Miami University.

Palazzo has over 20 years of experience, specializing in building technology solutions for financial advisors to enhance client outcomes. A principal at Edward Jones, Palazzo leads the development of financial planning tools and portfolio management platforms. As the former group president of financial planning at Envestnet, she oversaw the MoneyGuide software suite. Palazzo began her career at Merrill Lynch and spent over 12 years at Morgan Stanley. She has also collaborated with the CFP Board as a panelist and contributor to advisor technology guidelines. Palazzo holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from The College of New Jersey.

On December 31, 2024, the terms of current Board Chair Matt Boersen, CFP, CFA, Aneri Jambusaria, CFP, MBA, Richard Sherlock and Nancy Smith, J.D., will expire. On January 1, Liz Miller, CFP, CFA, will take the helm as Board Chair, and Terri Kallsen, CFP will become Board Chair-elect.

The new Board members’ three-year terms begin on January 1, 2025, and end on December 31, 2027.