When Kelvin Garrett joined BBH in 2017, it marked a new chapter in a career shaped by decades of responsibility and resilience. From his earliest days in financial services to roles supporting trading, operations, and technology, Kelvin built a reputation for taking on work where the stakes were high and the details mattered. Today, that foundation informs how he leads, builds relationships, and navigates change.
Tell us a little about your career to date.
As a kid, I remember watching the evening news with my dad and hearing about the Dow Jones Industrial Average. I didn’t understand it at the time, but it sparked a fascination with the financial markets that would shape my career. Over the years, I took on roles that demanded precision, accountability, and sound judgment, from signing redemption checks early on to executing trades and managing broker relationships. My interest in technology goes back to my mother. She studied electronics before it was called IT and went on to work for companies like Digital, Compaq, and HP. Watching her build that career inspired me.
The path to my current role wasn't always straightforward. An unexpected layoff tested my resilience and confidence, but it also led me to BBH in 2017, a firm I had admired for years. What began as a contract opportunity quickly became a defining chapter, bringing together my interests in financial services, technology, and relationship building.
What do you do and what keeps you curious about your role today?
I focus on vendor technology assessments, helping BBH understand and manage risk while protecting our data. What I enjoy most is the perspective the role provides. Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the conversations we're having. A few years ago, much of the focus was on cloud technology. Today, it's AI. Tomorrow, it will be something else. Because we're often evaluating emerging technologies and the vendors behind them, I get an early view of the trends shaping our industry and can consider how they support BBH's strategy and create meaningful value for our clients. That constant learning is what keeps the work interesting.
You believe mindset and motivation are success drivers. Why?
I’m deliberate in how I show up. For me, that starts before I even get to the office. Whether I'm on the train or stopping for a coffee, I make a conscious effort to bring a positive mindset to the day. That outlook makes everything else easier. I take pride in how I present myself, engage with others, and go above and beyond expectations. You can't control every situation, but you can control your response, and I've found that makes a real difference.
What has your experience at BBH been like as an employee?
Coming to BBH was incredibly refreshing. I didn’t feel like a number; I felt seen. Early on, a senior colleague helped me understand the culture, including how to ask for support and take on responsibility beyond my day-to-day role.
What stood out was that people noticed when I helped others succeed. At one point, I was mentoring a younger colleague, and that same senior leader said, “I see you’re paying it forward.” That was a full circle moment for me.
Getting involved with the Black Affinity Network was another important part of my experience. It helped me build connections with people who made me feel comfortable bringing my whole self to work. Over time, I realized I didn’t need to change who I was to succeed at BBH, and that sense of belonging has meant a lot to me.
What keeps you at BBH?
What keeps me at BBH is feeling valued through the support and opportunities that have helped me grow. BBH has encouraged me to keep learning, stay relevant, and take on new challenges. I’ve developed in ways I didn’t always imagine would be possible.
The biggest lesson I’ve taken from my time here is the importance of paying it forward. People invested in me, opened doors for me, and pushed me - sometimes out of my comfort zone - to succeed. That’s why, when I walk through a door, I’m always going to hold it open for the next person.
