Commonwealth Recruits New Chief Privacy Officer From LPL

Commonwealth Financial Network has appointed industry veteran Michelle Kelley, formerly of  LPL Financial, to serve as senior vice president, deputy general counsel and chief privacy officer.

In the newly created position, Kelley will lead Commonwealth’s legal department and offer counsel on cybersecurity and privacy laws, teaming closely with Commonwealth’s Information Security team, the firm said Monday.

Kelley will guide the firm and executive management team on strategic initiatives and regulatory matters, Commonwealth noted. She will oversee the team that the firm said is responsible for commercial agreements, customer complaints, litigation and arbitrations, regulatory enforcement matters, and contracts and vendor agreements.

Pointing to the increasingly needed focus on data security and cybersecurity, Commonwealth said Kelley will “enhance” its privacy and data security alongside the firm’s chief information security officer, Mukund Ravipaty.

Kelley joins a multidisciplinary leadership team that the firm said is “committed to developing innovative and nimble solutions to help advisors accelerate their growth.”

Kelley will report to Peggy Ho, Commonwealth senior vice president, general counsel and chief risk officer.

For the past 16 years, Kelley has held various roles at LPL, most recently as senior vice president, government relations, chief privacy officer and associate general counsel, Commonwealth said.

A frequent guest speaker at industry events for groups and institutions, including the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the Money Management Institute, Kelley “brings valuable regulatory counsel to support Commonwealth’s growing efforts on fee-based business,” according to the firm.

“Michelle has an unmatched depth of advisory experience and proven experience as a chief privacy officer,” Ho said in a statement. “She’s a thought leader who sees both the big picture and the details and can synthesize these into practicable strategies — a confluence that makes her ideal for this role.

“I’m confident her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to position ourselves at the forefront in an evolving regulatory landscape and industry,” Ho added.

Kelley started her career as an associate at law firm Ropes & Gray in 1999, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Commonwealth now partners with more than 2,000 independent financial advisors, it said. The firm has $272.9 billion in total account assets, including $174.8 billion in fee-based assets, according to its website.

(Pictured: Michelle Kelley, Commonwealth senior vice president, deputy general counsel and chief privacy officer)