Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is the Chief Investment Officer and President at Kestra Investment Management, based in Austin, TX. In her role, she leads Kestra’s investment team, providing market insights, portfolio construction guidance, and developing tailored investment solutions for independent financial professionals and their clients across the Kestra ecosystem. Her responsibilities include overseeing the firm’s investment strategy and research, with a focus on delivering actionable advice and empowering financial professionals to meet clients’ diverse wealth management needs.

Kara is recognized for her expertise in public equity and fixed income markets, asset allocation, macroeconomic analysis, and multi-asset strategies. She has provided commentary and insight across sectors such as U.S. and international equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. Kara’s investment philosophy centers on long-term results, risk awareness, transparency, and balancing complexity with simplicity.

Previously, Kara served as Chief Investment Officer at Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management, where she oversaw investments for individual and institutional clients and contributed to company-wide initiatives in inclusion, diversity, and sustainability. She also spent over a decade as CIO of AIG Funds, where assets under management grew significantly under her leadership. Kara holds a Bachelor’s from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Chicago, with additional study in France. She is a CFA charterholder, board member for non-profits, and was named 2024 CIO of the Year at the Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.