Karen Peetz, the recently-retired, first female president of the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation reflects on her career in banking, with a focus on lessons for leadership.

About the Speaker

Karen B. Peetz was BNY Mellon's first female president. She joined the company in 1998 and played a pivotal role through periods of significant change in the organization, including the successful navigation of post-financial crisis challenges and the adoption of a more strategic, market- and solutions-led approach to client relationship management. Peetz has been consistently recognized for her contributions to the financial services industry and has today been named #1 on American Banker's "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking" ranking in recognition of her management style, crisis management skills, influence and charitable endeavors. She oversaw the company's global client management and regional management, its treasury services business and its regulatory oversight functions. Prior to her appointment as president in January 2013, she led BNY Mellon's former Financial Markets and Treasury Services group, comprised of the alternative investment services, broker-dealer and advisor services, corporate trust, depositary receipts and treasury services businesses. Peetz retired from BNY Mellon at the end of 2016.