Thomas Connelly, CFA®, CFP®
Chairman Emeritus, Investment Committee
Thomas Connelly, CFA®, CFP®, is Chairman Emeritus of the Investment Committee. The founder of Versant and the former Chief Investment Officer, he led investment policy and portfolio oversight. Known for his transparent, collaborative approach, Tom continues to help align the firm’s investment philosophy, as well as mentor the advisory staff.
With over 40 years of experience, Tom earned a Geology degree from the University of St. Thomas, an MBA in Finance from Arizona State University, and a Master of Science in Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning. Before launching Versant in 2004, he co-founded Keats, Connelly & Associates in 1990 and served as its President and Chief Investment Officer, managing wealth for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients.
Tom has been recognized multiple times by Worth Magazine’s “Top Financial Advisors in the U.S.” He is a sought-after speaker at professional conferences and has been featured in numerous financial publications. His leadership extends to the community, through board and investment committee service for organizations including the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation, and the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Tom was the inaugural member of the Financial Planning Degree Board at the W. P. Carey School of Business, where he continues to serve, and was named to the 2018 Arizona State University Sun Devil 100.
Tom is currently serving his fourth appointment to the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Board of Trustees and is a member of its Investment Committee. He has been appointed to the Board by four Arizona governors: Janet Napolitano, Jan Brewer, Doug Ducey, and Katie Hobbs. As a Trustee, he helps oversee the fiduciary management of the ASRS pension trust fund on behalf of Arizona’s public employees.
A long-standing member of the CFA Institute and the Financial Planning Association, Tom holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Chartered Financial Analyst® designations. He has successfully guided clients through major economic disruptions — including the 1987 market crash, the Great Financial Crisis of 2007 -2009, and the COVID-19 pandemic — helping them preserve and grow their financial legacies.
