Jack Sharry: Hello, everyone! It’s great to have you with us for this week’s edition of WealthTech on Deck. Thanks for joining the conversation. I love a good disruptor story, and that’s exactly what we have for you today. I’m very pleased to welcome Kellan Brown to the show. Kellan is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer at an organization called 100 Women in Finance. We’ll talk more about what that is, but from what I’ve read and heard, it’s a global network of over 35,000 members across 33 locations, all dedicated to advancing women in financial services. Kellan’s leadership experience spans multiple industries. She’s been the Chief Growth Officer at Income Lab, the Chief Revenue Officer at Prime Capital Investment Advisors, and she led the Retirement Strategies Division at Finance of America, where she also chaired their enterprise-wide mentorship program. I have a hunch we’ll touch on mentorship today—it’s something we both care deeply about. But what really caught my attention is this: Kellan was awarded the Disruptor Award from WealthManagement.com, named a Woman to Watch by InvestmentNews, and her mentorship work at the FinServ Foundation is gaining global recognition. Most recently, she was also named a Luminary with a Heart by ThinkAdvisor—and I like the sound of that. Today, we’ll dig into what Kellan’s working on, the disruption she’s leading, and how she’s driving better opportunities and outcomes across the financial services industry—especially for women. Kellan, welcome to WealthTech on Deck! It’s great to have you here.

Kellan Brown: Thank you, Jack! You just gave my whole story—we might be able to wrap it up right here. But seriously, thank you for having me.

Jack Sharry: We’re definitely going to dig in. First, tell me a little about 100 Women in Finance. My understanding is there are a lot more than just 100—so fill us in. What’s the organization all about, and where is it headed?

Kellan Brown: I’d love to—and thank you again for having me, Jack. 100 Women in Finance came into my life in a really special way. I’ve always worked on the growth side of organizations, so let me back up a little. When people hear “Chief Development Officer” at a nonprofit, they often ask, “What does that mean?” It’s basically the equivalent of a Chief Revenue Officer. You’re in charge of raising capital—whether it’s funds, donations, or sponsorships. So, my background is very much rooted in business development and growth. Alongside my day job, I’ve always been involved in nonprofit work in some capacity. When 100 Women in Finance was seeking new C-suite leadership, I was nominated as a potential candidate. Eight months later, after really learning about the organization and its global impact, I was completely captivated. I desperately wanted to align my personal mission with my professional work. So what do we do? We use education, community, and impact to help women grow and advance in finance—across all career stages: early, mid, and senior levels. And yes, our programming is open to both women and men—we need allies. The organization actually started with a goal to find 100 women in hedge funds. About 24 years ago, six women sat around a table and said, “Can we even find 100 of us in this space?” They wanted to create a community where they could support each other and learn to navigate a male-dominated industry. Fast forward to today—we’re entering our 25th year. We have over 36,000 members, more than 600 volunteers, and we operate in 33 locations. We’ve also got 60,000+ LinkedIn followers. The organization has truly evolved into a global force focused on advancing women in finance.

Jack Sharry: That’s fantastic. I want to dive into some of the details, but first—there are a couple of themes I want to follow. One is your career path. It seems like mentorship and leadership development are constant threads, and you’ve clearly aligned your personal values with your professional work. Can you walk us through your journey? How did you get started, and how did you wind up at 100 Women in Finance?

Kellan Brown: I graduated from Lehigh University where I played Division I lacrosse. I didn’t realize at the time how much being a college athlete would influence my professional life, but that competitive nature never left me. After college, I went into sports marketing for about three years, but I wasn’t earning what I wanted to. My dad, who’s been a quiet mentor for me, sat me down and said, “Let’s figure this out—write down what you want out of a career.” I told him I wanted to control my income, be in a forward-facing role, and not be stuck behind a desk. He said, “Sounds like outside sales. Go find a job in that field in any industry.” So I ended up in commercial construction. Another male-dominated industry—go figure. I didn’t get the job at first because they didn’t think I had enough outside sales experience. But six months later, the CEO called me back and said, “I think I missed something. Are you still interested?” They offered me a lower base salary, and I said, “Fine, but uncap my commission.” I quadrupled my goal in six months. I stayed there for about eight and a half years. The founder became a boss and mentor I really admired. He gave me the tools I needed to succeed and taught me the difference between managing and leading. Then COVID hit. I had a six-month-old and a two-year-old, and my husband’s a first responder. I needed a more flexible work arrangement. I leaned on my network—an incredible group of women who’ve always supported me—and landed at Finance of America. Then I went to Income Lab. Eventually, I was recruited by 100 Women in Finance.

Jack Sharry: That’s a terrific story. I see a lot of parallels in your journey and the kind of leadership we need more of in the industry. Let’s talk more about what you’re working on now. What are you focused on at 100 Women in Finance?

Kellan Brown: Mentorship is one of the first areas I focused on. We’re a global network—how do we create meaningful one-on-one relationships across the world? We designed our mentorship program to support women at every career level, including senior practitioners who want peers to exchange best practices with, even across different regions like APAC. We also responded to political changes that started in January. It shifted how we communicate our mission. I want to be clear: we’re not breaking any laws, and we are not alienating anyone. Our mission is to support equality and inclusion in finance. We believe that when women have equal access and opportunity, organizations thrive. We’re reaffirming our commitment to both our members and our partners. Our goal is still to have 30% of executive seats filled by women by 2040, and we’re not going anywhere.

Jack Sharry: That’s powerful. I know you recently spoke at an SEI advisor conference—where you really made an impression. Tell us about that experience and what the day looked like for you.

Kellan Brown: Absolutely. Speaking at SEI was one of my favorite experiences. After every keynote, I mentally grade myself—and I gave myself an A-minus on that one. The venue itself is amazing, especially with the stage being below the audience. It changes the dynamic—you feel like you’re in it together, not preaching from above. The keynote was powerful because it was on a topic close to my heart: mentorship and multi-generational impact. SEI’s theme for the event was about elevating the next generation, but I proposed we expand that to include how we make an impact at every stage of a career—not just on those coming up behind us. So we structured the day around that idea: personal growth, the impact you can make as a manager or leader, how you influence an organization, and finally, your broader industry impact. I also want to highlight something Michael Lane does at SEI that I really admire—every Friday, he sets aside time to take calls with early-career professionals. It’s his way of giving back. I’ve adopted that practice myself, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

Jack Sharry: I love that. And this kind of engagement seems like just one part of the larger structure at 100 Women in Finance. Can you share more about your ongoing programs and how you scale that kind of mentorship across the organization?

Kellan Brown: Of course. At 100 Women in Finance, we have a few core initiatives that really drive impact. First is our mentorship program, which we call “Launch Me.” Right now, we have about 200 participants in the program, and we’re scaling that to 350 next year thanks to a new tech platform that will help us manage it more effectively. We also host an annual Impact Investing Symposium, and we run a major initiative called “Global FundWomen.” It’s designed to connect women fund managers with capital providers. It’s highly curated and selective—applicants must apply, and we keep the sponsor list small. The goal is impact, not marketing. On a broader level, we’re developing a professional development track for all of our members. We also offer free membership to students—what we call our pre-career cohort—because we want to reduce barriers to entry for the next generation. To support all of this, we host high-level fundraising galas that bring together leaders from across the industry to help sustain and grow these programs.

Jack Sharry: That’s a strong slate of initiatives. So what’s next? Where do you see yourself and the organization going from here?

Kellan Brown: I’m just getting started at 100 Women in Finance. I don’t have a set timeline for how long I’ll be here—I want to stay until I feel the organization is fully structured with the systems and processes it needs to thrive long term. A lot of nonprofits lack operational rigor, and coming from the corporate world, I’m trying to help change that. Once we’ve built those systems and I can hand things off confidently, I might start something with my husband—we’ve always talked about building something together—or focus more on the other nonprofits I support. I currently serve on the board of the FinServ Foundation, which supports college and university students pursuing careers in financial planning and wealth management. We work to break down access barriers and provide coaching, mentorship, and networking through industry events. So, what’s next? I’m keeping an open mind, but 100 Women in Finance will be a central part of my life for the foreseeable future.

Jack Sharry: I keep hearing this consistent thread of mentorship, empowerment, and giving back—whether through your formal role or your volunteer work. It’s clearly a passion. Talk a bit more about that—how does it all come together for you?

Kellan Brown: Absolutely. I always ask people to think about one person who’s made a big impact in their life or career. Usually, everyone can name someone. For me, mentorship has been that powerful. But here’s the thing—was it structured mentorship, or did it just happen organically? For a lot of us, it’s informal. But structured mentorship programs can accelerate growth in a big way. Studies show that mentors are six times more likely to be promoted, and mentees are five times more likely. Compensation differences can be significant too—sometimes even six figures. So the data backs it up. Mentorship drives results.

Jack Sharry: That’s been my experience too. I’ve had several key mentors—some older, some younger—and I also mentor others, including many women. I’ve found that women tend to be more engaged and open in those relationships. It’s different than mentoring men.

Kellan Brown: Exactly. And when men do mentor women, they often get as much from the experience as they give. But some men are hesitant. In finance especially, which is still heavily male-dominated, we need to create safe, structured ways for men to step into mentorship roles. There’s also a difference between mentorship and sponsorship. Sponsors put their name on the line to advocate for someone—to say, “Promote her” or “Hire her.” Both are important, but mentorship builds the relationship that often leads to that sponsorship. Structured programs make it easier. They set expectations, suggest topics, and define how often you meet. That makes it easier for men and women to connect, build trust, and truly open doors for each other.

Jack Sharry: I’ve seen that firsthand. And when people—especially women—are encouraged to speak up, challenge ideas, and lead, everyone benefits. I’ve learned that the more I listen, the better we all do.

Kellan Brown: Jack, I’m guessing mentoring women has been a different experience for you compared to mentoring men?

Jack Sharry: Absolutely. Women are often more open and engaged. They really listen, and they’re receptive. I’ve learned so much by working with them.

Kellan Brown: And men who step into mentorship roles with women often learn just as much. For anyone nervous about it, structured programs can really help. It’s not just about career growth either—it’s about creating access, building confidence, and challenging norms. So Jack, who’s a woman that’s made an impact in your life?

Jack Sharry: My wife. She’s been my partner in every big decision. She sees things I don’t, asks the questions I need to hear, and challenges me in the best way. We’re a great team.

Kellan Brown: I love that. That kind of partnership at home—and at work—can really make all the difference. I had that with my former boss in construction. We challenged each other, but we grew together.

Jack Sharry: Before we wrap, what do you do outside of work? What brings you joy, or might surprise people?

Kellan Brown: Well, pre-kids, my husband and I were big travelers. He’s a surfer, and we used to travel the world chasing waves. We once ended up in a remote bay in New Zealand and stayed with a local couple who brought us fresh milk from their cows every morning. It was amazing. I’m also a certified yoga instructor—it helps ground me. And now, post-kids, our lives are full of sports. If you haven’t gotten your daughters into flag football, do it—it’s so much fun! Watching my girls play has been a blast.

Jack Sharry: That’s great. We’re seeing the same with our grandkids—lacrosse, soccer, dance, and yes, flag football. It’s inspiring to watch them grow and develop passions of their own. Kellan, this has been a wonderful conversation. Thanks so much for sharing your story and your insights.