Professional Role and Responsibilities
Brian Kelleher serves as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Simplify Asset Management, a position he has held since September 2020. In this executive capacity, he leads all distribution and marketing efforts directed primarily at financial advisors and institutional clients, including asset managers and registered investment advisors (RIAs). His role focuses on expanding Simplify’s market presence, especially in alternative and options-powered ETF strategies.
Career Background and Experience
Before joining Simplify, Kelleher was Senior Vice President of ETF Strategy at PIMCO from April 2011 to September 2020, headquartered in New York. At PIMCO, he was responsible for managing relationships with the firm’s top ETF clients nationwide, encompassing asset managers, RIAs, and ETF strategists. Prior to PIMCO, he held the position of Senior Vice President of Institutional Sales at ETF Securities for two years and had earlier experience in institutional sales.
Brian has been a recognized partner to some of the ETF industry's most influential investors for over two decades, highlighting his deep industry expertise and established network within the ETF and asset management sectors.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University
- MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2006–2008)
His educational background supports a robust understanding of both business management and investment strategy.
Location
Kelleher is based in Miami, Florida, where Simplify Asset Management’s key executive operations are maintained.
Public Engagements and Thought Leadership
Brian Kelleher actively participates in the ETF and asset management community as:
- Moderator and speaker in Simplify’s annual thought leadership events, such as the Entering The Fall Thought Leadership Series 2023.
- Presenter and panelist at industry conferences including the ETP Forum (Fall 2022, Fall 2023) and the ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit (2023).
- Featured guest in podcasts, such as The Inside ETFs Podcast, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the ETF market, particularly noting shifts and advisor behavior in 2022.
- Participant in educational media content, explaining ETF fundamentals and advanced mechanisms, as seen in appearances on platforms like FINTECH.TV and YouTube (e.g., "The Exchange with Simplify ETFs").
These engagements demonstrate his role as a prominent voice in ETF innovation and marketing.
Company Performance Context
Under the leadership team that includes Kelleher, Simplify Asset Management has achieved significant milestones:
- Growth from under $2 billion AUM in mid-2023 to surpassing $3 billion in assets under management by November 2023—a 50% increase in less than six months.
- Launching innovative, alternative, and options strategies ETFs such as the Simplify Health Care ETF (ticker: PINK), which adopts a novel business model donating fee profits to charity, and the Simplify Market Neutral Equity Long/Short ETF (EQLS) on the NYSE.
Kelleher’s focus on expanding distribution aligns with Simplify’s aggressive growth trajectory and strategic fund launches, aimed at capturing market share in niche, alternative ETF categories.
Regulatory and Compliance Status
- Registered and approved as an Investment Adviser Representative (as of February 20, 2025), with branch office locations affiliated with Simplify Asset Management, headquartered in Miami, FL.
- His firm representation and regulatory filings correspond with leadership responsibilities in revenue growth and client relationships.
Brian Kelleher's combination of a significant tenure in ETF sales and strategy, executive leadership at Simplify, advanced education credentials from Wharton, and active market participation provides actionable insight into his capability to shape Simplify’s revenue growth and advisor engagement strategy in a rapidly evolving ETF landscape. His role is central to driving adoption of Simplify’s unique product offerings and capitalizing on expanding alternative investment trends among institutional and advisory clients.
