Stella Pena serves as Director of Operations and Advisory Services at National Financial Alliance, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in financial services, wealth management, risk management, compliance, and operational strategy. Known for her ability to turn complex challenges into practical solutions, Stella has built a career leading high-performing teams, driving business transformation, and creating scalable processes that support growth while delivering exceptional experiences for clients and advisors. Before joining National Financial Alliance, Stella held leadership roles with Victory Capital Investments and USAA, where she led enterprise-wide initiatives spanning risk management, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and client experience. Her diverse background in investments, retirement solutions, financial operations, and governance gives her a unique ability to connect strategy with execution and drive meaningful results across organizations.

At National Financial Alliance, Stella is focused on strengthening operations, leveraging technology to enhance advisor and client experiences, and helping position the firm for continued growth. She believes that great organizations are built on trust, collaboration, accountability, and a willingness to embrace change. Her leadership style combines strategic thinking with genuine relationship-building, creating an environment where people and ideas can thrive. Stella holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She maintains her Series 7 and Group 1 Life and Health licenses and holds certifications in wealth management, retirement planning, enterprise risk management, and Agile methodologies.

When she’s not leading operations, Stella can often be found training for her next fitness goal, whether that’s running, swimming, hiking, or powerlifting. She is also a dedicated foodie who loves discovering new restaurants and culinary experiences, and a movie enthusiast who enjoys everything from timeless classics to the latest blockbusters. Whether she’s exploring a new destination, sharing a great meal with family and friends, or cheering on a favorite character from the big screen, Stella values experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories. She is excited to help shape the future of National Financial Alliance and contribute to its continued success for years to come.