Michael Kothakota has been a financial planning practitioner for over 19 years. He currently serves as CEO of WolfBridge Wealth, a Registered Investment Advisor firm and was the inaugural Head of Research at CFP Board. As a researcher and innovator, he operates and conducts research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the psychology of financial planning. Dr. Kothakota has consulted for financial technology firms and has developed behavioral models to assist with the delivery of financial planning services via technology platforms. He is an experienced instructor and has taught a variety of subjects - statistics, financial planning practice management, behavioral finance, research methods in financial planning as well as financial modeling and ethics in financial planning.

Dr. Kothakota received his Master’s in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern University and his Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University.