Ashley Kelly, 31

Ashley Kelly started her career in public relations, with a focus on event planning. But when that original career path brought her into the finance world, she realized she wanted a new plan for herself.

In the eight years since then, she’s earned her Series 7 and Series 66 registrations; Florida insurance licenses; annuity license; and Certified Financial Planner designation, while also rising to the role of vice president-wealth advisor at Clarity Wealth. She’s the lead advisor on a $384 million book of business, supporting 155 families, along with four team members.

Photo by Mark Wemple

“It’s an honor that families trust me to give guidance,” she says. “Finances are something so personal and vulnerable that speak to a lot of what you care about in life. Families aren’t just trusting us with their finances, but they’re trusting us with the goals they want to accomplish in life. Being able to sit down with families and talk through their plans is what lights me up.”

Success comes from an ability to listen to clients, act intentionally and communicate effectively. So her past experience in public relations, a field dependent on an ability to communicate well, remains relevant. “Even though I didn’t go into finance through the traditional route, the skill sets I learned gaining my degree and coming up within that space allow me to be successful in financial advising,” she says.

Kelly also draws life lessons learned from her father, Craig Kobza, who owns Naples custom home contracting firm The Aerial Companies and Forensic Construction Consulting. “When I was growing up, I got to see firsthand what it takes to create and sustain a business,” she says. “And I got to see it not just in words but in action day in and day out. I got to see a lot of the grit and perseverance it takes.”

That’s instilled in her a strong work ethic and resiliency in the face of challenges, whether that’s an issue she’s struggling with personally or a volatile stock market. And now she’s helping guide younger members of her team as they grow in their own careers. “In my role I do have the honor of being able to mentor some newer advisors aspiring to the path I’m on,” she says. “I feel grateful I have been able to hold that role for people.”