Beneficient Names Digital Expertise Leader Karen Wendel to Board

Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF), a tech-forward holding company in the financial services sector, has appointed Karen Wendel as an independent board member effective November 21, 2024. The Dallas-based firm simultaneously named her to three key committees: Audit, Products and Related Party Transactions, and Enterprise Risk Management.

Executive Background and Strategic Value

Wendel brings substantial credentials to the role through her position as President and CEO of TrustChains, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity consulting boutique. Her professional trajectory spans multiple industries and geographies, with particular strength in banking infrastructure, technology-driven mergers, cybersecurity protocols, private equity operations, and emerging digital financial models including blockchain and decentralized finance platforms.

Her experience encompasses significant leadership roles across both private and publicly traded enterprises globally. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded major transformation initiatives in transaction systems, identity verification platforms, and cutting-edge technology applications within insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. Her academic foundation includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and International Relations from Brigham Young University.

Board Leadership and Strategic Rationale

“We recognized a critical gap requiring board-level expertise in digital transformation and modern financial technology,” explained Brad Heppner, who serves as both CEO and Chairman. “Karen’s background—including her tenure leading four separate organizations—uniquely positions her to advise on blockchain applications in cybersecurity, alternative asset management, and related strategic areas. Her regulatory and operational experience across financial infrastructure makes her invaluable to our strategic direction.”

Wendel has successfully guided regulatory framework development for banking institutions and financial technology infrastructure operators. She has also supported private equity organizations and their portfolio companies in building competitive strategies within fintech, cybersecurity solutions, and identity management verticals.

About Beneficient

Beneficient operates to democratize access to alternative asset investments, serving mid-to-high net worth individuals, smaller institutional players, and fund managers requiring liquidity solutions. The company’s AltQuote platform delivers multiple exit scenarios in rapid timeframes, while the AltAccess portal enables secure online exploration of alternative investment opportunities. The firm’s subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial L.L.C., operates under Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution framework and maintains regulatory compliance with state banking authorities.