Thomas Connelly, CFA®, CFP®
Chief Investment Officer
Thomas Connelly, CFA®, CFP®, is the Chief Investment Officer at Versant Capital Management, formulating the firm’s investment policy and overseeing portfolio management. Known for his transparent and collaborative approach, Thomas works closely with clients to explain and align the firm’s investment philosophy with their goals.
With over 40 years of experience, Thomas brings a unique perspective to the family office space, combining his background in geology with a deep understanding of financial strategies. He earned a Geology degree from the University of St. Thomas and an MBA in Finance from Arizona State University. Before founding Versant in 2004, Tom co-founded Keats, Connelly & Associates 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 an author featured in leading financial journals. His leadership extends to the community, serving on boards and investment committees for organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation, and ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business. He was the inaugural member of the Financial Planning Degree Board at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, where he continues to serve.
From 2006 to 2016, Tom served on the Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees, chairing the Investment Committee for seven years. He has also held advisory roles with TIAA-CREF and Rydex Funds and is a member of the Institute for Preparing Heirs.
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 navigated economic challenges throughout his career, including the 1987 market crash and the COVID-19 pandemic, helping clients preserve and grow their financial legacies.
