Prashant Sarode, Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Head of Product & Art Of Possible Lab (APL)

Professional Overview

Prashant Sarode is an accomplished technology leader with over 25 years of experience driving innovation and transformation across the financial services industry. As the Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Head of Product & Art Of Possible Lab (APL) at Cetera Financial Group, he is responsible for shaping the firm's product strategy, leading a team of product managers, designers, and technologists, and spearheading the development of cutting-edge solutions that empower financial advisors and enhance the client experience.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Head of Product & Art Of Possible Lab (APL) at Cetera Financial Group, Prashant is responsible for defining the company's product vision, roadmap, and execution strategies. He leads a talented team of product managers, designers, and technologists in the creation of innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of financial advisors and clients. Under his guidance, the Art Of Possible Lab (APL) has become a hub of innovation, where the team explores emerging technologies, develops proof-of-concepts, and brings transformative ideas to life.

Career Progression

Prior to his current role, Prashant held senior leadership positions at leading financial institutions, including TheoremLabs.io, LPL Financial, TIAA-CREF, and Wells Fargo. As the Managing Principal, Head of Product & Art Of Possible Lab (APL) at TheoremLabs.io, he led the development of cutting-edge automation and cognitive technologies that revolutionized wealth management practices. During his tenure at LPL Financial, he served as the SVP, Head of Automation & Cognitive Technologies, where he spearheaded the implementation of advanced automation and artificial intelligence solutions that streamlined operations and enhanced the advisor experience.

Prashant's career trajectory is marked by his ability to drive large-scale technology transformations and deliver measurable business impact. At TIAA-CREF, he held various leadership roles, including Director & Head of Core Automation Platforms, Director & Delivery Head of the Annuities Technology Transformation Program, and Director & Delivery Head of the Money Movement Technology Transformation Program. In these roles, he successfully led the implementation of enterprise-wide automation initiatives and technology modernization programs that improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Academic Background

Prashant holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he specialized in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Areas of Expertise

Product strategy and roadmap development

Innovative technology solutions for financial services

Automation and cognitive technologies

Enterprise-wide technology transformations

Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration

Agile product development and delivery

Client-centric solution design

Professional Impact

Under Prashant's leadership, the Art Of Possible Lab (APL) has become a recognized center of innovation within the financial services industry. His team has successfully delivered several cutting-edge solutions that have improved advisor productivity, enhanced the client experience, and driven measurable business results for Cetera Financial Group. Prashant's expertise in automation and cognitive technologies has enabled the firm to streamline operations, reduce manual effort, and free up advisors to focus on their core responsibilities.

Conclusion

Prashant Sarode is a visionary technology leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and transformation in the financial services industry. In his current role as the Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Head of Product & Art Of Possible Lab (APL) at Cetera Financial Group, he is uniquely positioned to shape the firm's product strategy, spearhead the development of transformative solutions, and lead a talented team of product professionals in their mission to empower financial advisors and enrich the client experience.