William J. Kelly brings more than four decades of executive leadership experience across asset management, financial governance, and professional education within the alternative investment industry.

Mr. Kelly is the Founder and Managing Member of Educational Alpha, LLC, where he writes, speaks, and podcasts on topics focused on investor education, transparency, and democratized access to differentiated risk premia. Through this platform, he remains a leading voice in shaping thought leadership and elevating standards across alternative investing.

From 2014 to 2024, Mr. Kelly served as CEO of the CAIA Association, the global professional body for the alternative investment industry. Under his leadership, CAIA significantly expanded its international footprint and influence, advocating for stronger fiduciary standards, educational rigor, and ethical conduct across the industry.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Kelly was CEO of Boston Partners ($107 bn AUM), where he was also one of seven founding partners of its predecessor firm. Before its majority acquisition by Robeco Group (Rotterdam) in 2002, the firm was a respected, employee-owned asset manager. Mr. Kelly began his professional journey at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), earning his CPA designation (inactive).

He currently serves as Chairman and Lead Independent Director of the Boston Partners Trust Company and as Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of the Artisan Partners Funds, where he is designated as an SEC Audit Committee Financial Expert. Additionally, he contributes to global fund governance standards as an Advisory Board Member of the Certified Investment Fund Director Institute (IOB Dublin), supporting professional excellence among independent directors.

Mr. Kelly earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from Iona University.

As a Senior Advisor to Star Mountain Capital, Mr. Kelly supports the firm’s mission by contributing to strategic investor relations, portfolio governance, thought leadership, and educational outreach, leveraging his deep expertise to further strengthen Star Mountain’s position as a leader in the lower middle-market private credit space.