AYU Spotlight: Kelley Megale of Canoe Intelligence, Head of Wealth Management & Multi Family office, EMEA
“Success, for me, is happiness and freedom. It’s not a title. It’s the people around you and the life you build with them.”
Hi Kelley — what are you working on at the moment?
Right now I’m really focused on expanding Canoe’s presence across specific European regions. Next week I’m in Luxembourg, the week after I’m in Madrid, and we’re already thinking ahead to Milan for the summer. The approach we’re taking is to lean on the relationships we already have: our existing client base is incredibly valuable for opening doors and making introductions to firms that are looking to get into private markets.
Every market has its nuances, too. Switzerland is a great example where we’ve adapted our contracts specifically to make sure we’re compliant with Swiss privacy laws. Getting those details right matters enormously when you’re building trust with firms in a new region.
Beyond the geographic expansion work, I’m also spending a lot of time on community with our women’s networks, peer groups, things like the AYU brunch we recently hosted in April and will be again hosting on June 18th. Those conversations often open up the best opportunities. It’s not just about growing the business; it’s about building a genuine community around it.
How did you get to where you are now?
I started in fintech business development cold calling at SS&C in the US, which also runs Advent Solutions over here in Europe. From there, I moved to Addepar, so I spent a good chunk of my early career on the fintech side of wealth management. But I also wanted to really understand how firms operate from the inside, so I spent time on the custody side with BNY Mellon giving me a much fuller picture of the industry.
Then I joined Canoe almost four years ago, which brought me squarely into the alternatives space. I didn’t have a deep background in private markets when I joined, but after hundreds of conversations with single and multi-family offices, I’ve seen the industry shift in real time. When I started in the US, the move toward alternatives was just beginning. Now it’s a major trend hitting Europe too; the old 70/30 ETF and mutual fund model is giving way to much more meaningful private market allocations. Being part of that shift has been genuinely exciting.
And then, about a year ago, I made what was probably the biggest career move of my life by relocating from New York City to London. A decade in New York and then suddenly you’re seeing the world from a completely different vantage point. I’ve learned so much about how firms operate differently across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, about myself, about what I want from my career. It’s been eye-opening in the best possible way.
What attracted you to Canoe specifically?
Honestly, it was the team first. I’d worked with many of the leadership at Addepar and Advent in previous roles, and when the opportunity to join Canoe came up, I already had a real sense of the quality of the people involved. That matters hugely to me.
Beyond that, I wanted to stay close to family offices. It’s a segment I genuinely love working in. Every firm is different, every conversation is different, and the chance to really understand what a firm needs and then tailor a solution to fit them is something I find endlessly interesting.
I also joined at a point where Canoe was past the very early startup stage but still very much in growth mode. I was around employee number 60. Now we’re close to 200. Going from Series B to Series C, watching the firm become a genuine market leader in alternatives has been a brilliant journey to be part of.
“Moving to London was probably the most pivotal moment of my career.
I feel like I’ve grown more in this last year personally and professionally than in any other period.”
What has been the most pivotal moment of your career so far?
Moving to London, without a doubt. I’ve always approached my career with the mindset that each move should teach me something new, whether that’s a new product, a new part of the industry, a new way of working. But relocating from New York to London took that to a whole new level. It forced me to grow in ways I didn’t expect, and gave me a much broader perspective on the cultural, structural and operational differences between firms in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
If I could give anyone one piece of advice: if your company offers you the chance to relocate, take it. You won’t regret it.
What aspect of the family office industry excites you most?
The people, always. I’m a people person through and through. It’s probably the thing I’m most upfront about when I describe myself. What I love about working in the family office space is that every firm has its own story, its own motivations, its own definition of what success looks like. Getting to understand that, really understanding it, is what makes the conversations interesting.
The ones that excite me most are the firms that are deeply purpose-driven. When a family office is heavily focused on ESG or impact investing, and Canoe can help them free up operational resources to pursue those goals more effectively, that genuinely means something to me. The idea that better technology can enable better philanthropy is a pretty powerful thing to be part of.
What would you change about the industry?
More openness. The family office world tends toward secrecy, which I understand, up to a point. Sensitive information absolutely has to be protected. But when it comes to best practices, operational approaches, and how firms are navigating the shift to private markets, I think everyone would benefit from talking more openly about those things.
The networks I value most, like AYU and Canoe’s own client community, are the ones where people actually share ideas and learn from each other. I’d love to see more of that spirit across the industry. The firms that are willing to participate in peer groups tend to move fastest. Openness is a competitive advantage, even if it doesn’t feel like it at first.
What do you invest in personally — for pleasure or for return?
Philanthropy is where I pour my energy outside of work, and it's something my whole family is deeply invested in together. We set up a foundation in honour of my late brother Matt, who we lost to a drug overdose a few years ago. The foundation —American Boy — fundraises through lacrosse events in the States, and my sister wrote a book about addiction and grief drawn from her own experience of losing him.
What I'm most proud of is that we've now given over 180 sober living scholarships to people who need a second chance — real resources and real support, all given in Matt's name. That number means everything to our family.
We're also involved with Canine Companions, an organisation that trains service dogs for people with disabilities. My sister has extended that work into a children's book series celebrating independence for people in wheelchairs — her way of weaving community and compassion into everything she creates. That spirit runs through all of us.
Getting more involved with this work here in Europe is something I'm very much focused on over the next few years. It feels like the right next chapter, both personally and professionally.
Where do you celebrate?
For me, celebrating is really about the people, not the venue. A memorable dinner at a great restaurant is lovely, but if I had a million pounds and a free week, I’d be on a flight with family & friends before the end of the day.
What’s at the top of your bucket list right now?
Nepal and Japan are both sitting near the top. I did the W Trek through Patagonia a while back and completely fell in love with that kind of adventure travel. I want more of it; the Dolomites, the Alps, and even the UK. Right now I’m at a point in my life where I want adventure over a resort. There’ll be a time for a beach and a good book. This isn’t it.
“Success, for me, is happiness and freedom. It’s not a title. It’s the people around you and the life you build with them.”
What does success mean to you?
Happiness and freedom. I know that sounds simple, but I mean it genuinely. I don’t define success by a job title or a particular milestone; it’s more about the quality of the people around you and the life you’re building with them.
I’ve been fortunate that my career has given me financial freedom, which I think is something more people should talk about and plan for. But day-to-day, the small wins matter just as much to me: bringing on a firm, watching them grow, having them send me a referral because they’re genuinely happy with Canoe. That’s success too. And I’m competitive — I grew up playing Lacrosse and Field Hockey — so I want to do it well. But the bigger picture is always about people.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Take chances. It’s a simple one, but I really live by it. I lost my brother when he was 26, and that experience fundamentally changed the way I look at life. The little things stop mattering so much. The bigger things like the moves, the risks, the opportunities that scare you a little - those are the ones worth taking.
Moving to London was one of those chances. Joining Canoe was one of those chances. I don’t think I’d be where I am, or who I am, if I hadn’t said yes to both.