Thasunda Brown Duckett
President and CEO, TIAA
This episode will air on Thursday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET
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Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, to explore her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Texas to leading one of the nation’s top financial institutions. Thasunda shares how her parents’ hard work and values shaped her commitment to inclusive capitalism and financial security for all. Reflecting on her career path through JP Morgan Chase to TIAA, she discusses the critical need for dignified retirement options, especially for employees in education, healthcare and government sectors. Throughout the conversation, Thasunda emphasizes the importance of workplace retirement plans and policy reforms to ensure every worker can access a secure and equitable retirement.
Mentions & Resources in this Episode
Guest Bio
Thasunda Brown Duckett is President and Chief Executive Officer of TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions for millions of people and thousands of institutions. She leads a company whose mission is defined by financial inclusion and opportunity – goals and values she has upheld throughout her career. Under her leadership, TIAA is expanding its mission beyond higher education to all Americans saving for retirement.
Before joining TIAA in 2021, she held several key executive roles during a 17-year career at JP Morgan Chase, including CEO of the Consumer Bank and Auto Finance. Earlier in her career, she was a Director of Emerging Markets at Fannie Mae.
Duckett serves on the boards of NIKE, Inc., Brex Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, National Medal of Honor Museum, Economic Club of New York, NewYork-Presbyterian, the University of Houston Board of Visitors, and the Dean’s Advisory Board for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. She is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council CEO Advisory Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. In addition, Duckett is an appointee to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), The Business Council Executive Committee and the Committee for Economic Development. She also serves on the board of Business Roundtable.
Duckett has received a wide array of accolades from financial media, including Fortune, Forbes, Barron’s and American Banker. She has also been listed as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World, named a CNBC ChangeMaker and inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Duckett has been awarded honorary degrees from several institutions including: a Doctor of Humane Laws from Howard University, and Doctor of Laws degrees from both American University and Morgan State University.
She founded the Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation in honor of her parents to recognize and reward people who use ordinary means to empower and uplift their community in extraordinary ways.
Duckett grew up in Texas and lives in Connecticut with her family. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Houston and an MBA from Baylor University.
Episode Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.