Carol Benz

Partner & Chief People Officer

Leadership Team

Bio
Education, Highlights & Awards
Q+A

Biography

Carol is the Chief People Officer and a Partner based in the San Francisco office. Carol leads the firm’s human capital practice, overseeing the recruitment, education, development, engagement, diversity, inclusion, and growth of Cerity Partners’ people and fostering the Cerity Partners’ culture. Carol is a member of the Leadership Team.

Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Carol was a Principal and served as President & Chief Operating Officer of B|O|S where she ensured the firm’s financial strength and operational efficiency and oversaw the key business functions of finance and reporting, portfolio operations, human resources, compliance, legal, technology, and firm governance. Prior to B|O|S, Carol managed domestic operations, international operations, and the data services group for Barclays Global Investors (now BlackRock). Carol began her career working with financial services, technology, and manufacturing clients at Ernst & Young.

Education

B.A. in Economics from Stanford University

Highlights

Certified Public Accountant (inactive)
Recognized as one of the Forever Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times
Member of the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board, 2013 - 2015
Past president on the Stanford Cap and Gown Alumni Board which supports, cultivates and celebrates women leaders
Member and past Chair of the Stanford Alumni Association Board of Directors
Vice President of the San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary; Past Chair of An Invitation to Dance; Past dinner chair of the San Francisco Ballet’s opening night gala; Past Treasurer
Director of the San Francisco Opera Guild; Past treasurer; Past director-at-large; Past audit committee chair
Committee member of the C.A. Buck Educational Foundation
Past member of the Board of the Merola Opera Program
Sustaining member of the Junior League of San Francisco
Founder, past president, and past treasurer of San Francisco Ballet’s ENCORE!

Q & A

Was there a specific incident in your life that made it clear you were made for this career?

I recall so many incidents in which a client took me aside to tell me how their advisor changed their life, perhaps by helping them through a difficult time or by making it possible for them to retire early or by creating a financial structure to ensure ongoing care for a child with special needs. I am not a client advisor, but getting up in the morning knowing that what I do that day will have a direct impact on the lives of the people who help and support our clients is incredibly motivating.

Why is your role as Chief People Officer so important, especially today?

One could say that our people are our product. Finding the right talent to serve our clients and colleagues and seeking to provide an innovative environment of learning, development, and engagement produces a powerful culture. Having spent 20 years running a wealth management business prior to assuming the role of Chief People Officer at Cerity Partners also gives me a unique perspective.

What differentiates Cerity Partners from other firms?

Our people. Hands down. Our people are at the heart of our firm – extremely smart, committed, creative, entrepreneurial and disciplined colleagues who are passionate about what they do. We share core values steeped in excellence, ethics, collaboration, and resilience and we work together to help each client elucidate and realize their financial goals.

What do you do in your personal life that helps you help others?

I am lucky to have parents who instilled in me the importance of philanthropy and being deeply involved in one’s community. Serving as a volunteer for many Bay Area organizations has strengthened my understanding of people, bettered my communication and leadership skills, and introduced me to varying and diverse perspectives. In growing our Cerity Partners community and serving as steward for our people, I regularly rely on these experiences.