Kelly Nilsson
CFP®, CDFA®, JD
Brava Financial, LLC
Founder
Kelly Nilsson
CFP®, CDFA®, JD
Brava Financial, LLC
Founder
As a fee-only financial planner, I support people who want a positive and prosperous relationship with money by integrating finance with their highest values and aspirations. - Kelly Nilsson, CFP®, CDFA®, JD
Fee-Only financial planner located in San Diego, CA, serving clients locally and across the country

Kelly Nilsson is a San Diego, CA fee-only financial planner. Brava Financial, LLC provides comprehensive and objective financial planning to help business owners, individuals experiencing divorce, and families organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Kelly Nilsson is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Hi! I’m Kelly Nilsson, founder of Brava Financial, LLC - a flat-fee, advice only financial planning firm. At Brava, I help people who want clarity and confidence when it comes to their finances.
My journey in finance began in 1992, and since then I have worked with thousands of professionals and clients in the industry. Working with companies large and small and people from all walks of life, I have amassed deep expertise and empathy available to anyone who wants to create better outcomes and a healthier relationship with money. Money is a human construct - it is an extension, a reflection, and a record of us and how we live. Money is important, but not as important as you.
I am a proud graduate of Mount Holyoke College, receiving a Bachelors of Arts in International Relations. I have held the Certified Financial Planner designation since 2003 and in 2018 I received a Juris Doctor from St. Francis School of Law.
Kelly Nilsson is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
Brava Financial, LLC serves clients seeking a positive and prosperous relationship with money. Brava offers flat fee advice-only financial planning and coaching services.
Skills: Women Owned Business · Investment Strategies · Financial Planning · Financial Services · Small Business
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Investment Management
- Retirement Income Planning
- College Education Planning
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Women Business Owners
- Business Owners and Executives
- Growing Families
- Sudden Money Situations
- Novice Investors
Working Together
- Virtual Meetings
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Kelly Nilsson is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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Kelly Nilsson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Kelly Nilsson is a Member of the XY Planning Network
The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
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Kelly Nilsson is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®)
A CDFA® professional is a financial professional skilled at analyzing data and providing expertise on the financial issues of divorce. The role of the CDFA® professional is to assist the client and his or her attorney to understand how the decisions he or she makes today will impact the client’s financial future. A CDFA® can take on many roles in the divorce process: Financial Expertise and Strategy, Data Collection and Analysis, Expert Presenter and Litigation Support. In some cases, CDFA® professionals are called upon to act as expert witnesses in court or in mediation proceedings.
Contact Kelly Nilsson
Office Locations:
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415 Laurel Street
PMB #207
San Diego, CA 92101