CFP Board Appoints New Technology Leader: What It Means for the Future of Financial Planning
CFP® Board Updates
On June 17, 2025, the CFP Board announced the appointment of Barry S. Gersten as its new Head Technology Officer — a strategic leadership role that signals where the profession is heading: deeper integration of technology, innovation, and digital enablement across all areas of CFP® education and certification.
This appointment isn’t just an internal move — it’s a message to the financial planning community. The CFP Board is doubling down on its commitment to modernize, enhance user experience, and prepare future CFP® professionals to thrive in a rapidly changing digital world.
Who Is Barry S. Gersten?
Barry brings extensive experience in financial services and fintech, having served in senior technology roles at Fannie Mae and EY. At the CFP Board, he will lead initiatives that touch nearly every part of the certification lifecycle, including:
- Evaluation of emerging technologies (AI, automation, analytics)
- Improvement of digital platforms used by candidates, educators, and certificants
- Alignment of CFP Board’s tech strategy with its long-term vision of growing the profession
Why It Matters to CFP® Candidates and Professionals
The growing emphasis on digital strategy is directly relevant to your journey as a CFP® professional — whether you’re preparing for the exam, mentoring others, or already in practice.
Here’s what this signals:
- More seamless user experience in interacting with the CFP Board website, portals, and CE tools
- Greater potential for AI-driven study resources, exam innovation, and personalized learning platforms
- Stronger infrastructure for online learning, continuing education, and progress tracking
- A more tech-forward credentialing body that keeps pace with the expectations of a modern workforce
The Bigger Picture: A Tech-Enabled Profession
As the financial services industry rapidly evolves, technology literacy is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s essential. The CFP Board’s investment in tech leadership reflects its understanding that today’s professionals need more than technical knowledge; they need digital fluency, adaptability, and tools that scale with their practice.
This is particularly important for firms training the next generation of planners. A more robust digital infrastructure enables scalable, high-quality support for CFP® candidates at every stage.
Bottom Line
Gersten’s appointment underscores the CFP Board’s vision to stay relevant, innovative, and prepared for the next chapter in financial planning. For you, it means a smoother, smarter, and more accessible certification experience — and a profession that’s evolving right alongside the clients it serves.
Source:
“CFP Board Appoints Barry S. Gersten as Head Technology Officer” – CFP Board (June 17, 2025)
https://www.cfp.net/news/2025/06/cfp-board-appoints-barry-gersten-as-head-technology-officer
