Spotlight on Operations Resource Committee Member Susan Migliaccio

January 9, 2025

Strong governance, risk, and controls expertise supports the FWA’s mission


If you have a question about driving technological, financial and strategic transformation, Susan Migliaccio is your go-to expert. With over 20 years of experience, she has a proven track record of advising executives in complex organizations on intricate challenges across finance, operations and technology to achieve their goals. Her unique ability to solve problems from multiple functional perspectives provides valuable insights to her clients and teams. She is adept at building strong relationships with clients and bringing the right people together to achieve consensus and drive change.


Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, recently sat down with Susan to discuss how she has brought her expertise to various leadership roles within the FWA.

Sherree: Susan, to start off, please tell us about your professional background.

 

Susan: I studied Accounting in college, and I have my CPA. I began my career in audit, performing financial statement audits at Deloitte before being recruited by PwC. In 2006, I joined PwC's consulting arm. At PwC, I rose to the level of director, working with clients across diverse industries and sizes – from individuals to Fortune 100 companies. My role was to advise them on complex operations and finance matters, ranging from crisis management and resolution to general business advisory. I had the privilege of working on the ground with global clients in their local country operations, partnering with local PwC colleagues to incorporate cultural considerations into our approach and outcomes.

 

In 2018, I joined Bank of New York as part of the Transformation and Program Management team, providing leadership and oversight on high-priority, cross-functional, strategic bank efforts. My portfolio of work included platform conversions, business relocation and digital transformation to improve the user experience, enhance operational efficiency and mitigate risk.

 

Currently, I’m a director in Securities Services at BNY, where I lead change management initiatives across the Asset Servicing client service teams. I’m responsible for planning, executing and scaling new ways of working to enhance internal and external client experiences, protect and grow client relationships and drive optimal outcomes for both clients and the firm.

 

Sherree: Can you tell us about a time when you had to pivot in your career?

 

Susan:  Absolutely! Anyone who has a long career will find themselves pivoting at one point or another. My biggest pivot was going from the consulting world to being an in-house strategy and change management agent. I had been a consultant for over 10 years at that point, and my biggest challenge was going from a billable environment to an in-house consultant and advisor. The best part of making this transition is that I get to see the results of my projects and see the continuation of my efforts. I would be happy to talk to fellow FWA members who are considering that change in their careers.

 

Sherree: How long have you been a member of the FWA, and why did you decide to join?

 

Susan: About 15 years ago, I started attending some networking events at my firm to broaden my connections. Some people I met suggested that I should check out the FWA as well. I was so impressed by the caliber of the FWA’s programming and the people that I became a member.

 

Sherree: What leadership roles have you held in the FWA, and how have you benefited?

 

Susan: Soon after I joined the FWA, I became an active member of the Professional Services and Liaison Committee, which created programming for accountants, lawyers and other professional services providers. Volunteering on a committee gave me an opportunity to get to know other members in a smaller, regular/recurring setting and quickly build meaningful relationships within the organization.

 

The following year, I was asked to co-lead the Professional Services and Liaison Committee, which I did for a couple years. I served as the FWA’s treasurer for two years. I stepped off the board temporarily, and then returned a couple years later as chair of the Audit Committee – a role I held for three years.

 

More recently, I was appointed to be a member of the Operations Resource Committee (ORC) along with Katrin Dambrot and Stephanie Hauge. Our remit is to support the FWA’s office – sometimes by taking on special projects. For example, this committee reviewed our policies and practices to support the FWA’s move to a virtual office, from inception to its current mature state, to ensure alignment with the risks and opportunities associated with this change. Ultimately, our goal is to leave the FWA in a better place than when we started.

 

On reflection, each role and committee I participated in has a specific focus, so I was able to see the FWA through a few different lenses. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to share and learn from a diverse group of people who have gained unique expertise from working in different companies. It’s been a very enriching experience.

 

Sherree: How would you like to see the FWA evolve in the future?

 

Susan: The FWA’s vision is to promote professional development and advancement of all women through education, mentorship, networking, alliances and advocacy across the financial sector. As such, I’d like to see the organization continue to identify relevant educational programming for our members and students and be seen as a resource for the latest thought leadership. It’s so important for us to reflect the way the financial services industry is innovating and evolving.

 

Sherree: How have you benefited from the FWA?

 

Susan: I treasure the friendships and relationships I’ve built through the FWA. It’s fantastic to partner with like-minded individuals who have diverse experiences and goals. I always have someone to call when I need to get feedback on my ideas. Importantly, the experience and skills I've gained through my volunteer roles have been invaluable in helping me to drive my career forward.

 

My advice to members is join a committee and be an active contributor because you get out of the FWA what you put into it.







Enhance your FWA involvement today!

From Albania to FWA President: My Story, My Vision, Our Future

July 3, 2025
It was only a couple of weeks ago that I stood in front of many of you at our Annual Members Meeting . The moment I took the stage as the 60th President of the Financial Women’s Association, I felt a wave of gratitude—not just for the role, but for the road that brought me here. That road started thousands of miles away, in a small city in southern Albania. I was 16 years old when I told my parents I wanted to go to America—not just to visit, but to live, to learn, to build something bigger than what I could see around me. Although a difficult decision, my parents supported me. They knew that as a woman, growing up in a country that had seen communism, a difficult transition to democracy, civil war and refugee crisis, I wouldn’t have the same opportunities if I had stayed. That decision would change my life forever.

Become a Mentor with FWA’s High School Mentoring Program

July 2, 2025
The Financial Women’s Association (FWA) is now inviting applications for mentors to join our Mentoring Program at the High School of Economics and Finance (HSEF) . This is a unique opportunity to mentor a high school junior or senior and make a meaningful impact by providing guidance, support, and inspiration as she navigates her academic journey and begins exploring future career paths. As a mentor, you’ll: Empower a young woman to succeed in school and beyond Develop your own leadership and coaching skills Connect with a dynamic network of FWA professionals Contribute to building the next generation of women in finance and business Mentor Requirements: Must be an active FWA member Available for structured mentoring sessions Committed to supporting youth development and career readiness Ready to make a difference? Apply here: https://forms.gle/8yy8q2JfWddb2vB27 To learn more about this opportunity, please review the FWA HSEF Program Guide PDF and the Urban Village Mentor Info PDF . Want to make an even bigger impact? We're looking for an enthusiastic and energetic FWA member who is passionate about supporting and empowering the next generation of women leaders in finance to co-chair the FWA High School Mentoring Program Committee and help lead our program at the High School of Economics and Finance (HSEF). Prior mentorship experience is preferred. This role will be part of the FWA Leadership Council. If you are interested, please reach out to FWA Educational Programs Manager Kelsie Piersaint ( [email protected] ) and HSEF Program Chair Meishanka Moodley ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn What It Takes to Deliver and Excel

July 1, 2025
On June 24, 2025, interns in the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange Program came together virtually for the third session of the summer, an energizing and highly practical experience titled “Foundation for Professional Excellence.” The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm touted for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Nina Batson, former FWA President, introduced the session presenter Brian Marks, Partner since 2010, Head of Performance, and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Brian delivered an interactive, high-impact session designed to give interns tangible tools they can immediately apply in their internships and long after. His guidance included: Five Credibility Killers, including two critical missteps: Handing your boss a problem without offering a solution Saying, “That’s not my job” Five Credibility Builders, including: Taking initiative by asking, “What would take this to the next level?” Applying feedback immediately and visibly to show responsiveness He also introduced interns to a Strategic Action Matrix, a 4-box framework that maps strategy vs. execution, encouraging interns to assess where they currently fall. He encouraged them to strive toward the high-performance quadrant where strategic thinking meets strong execution. Brian challenged interns to step outside their comfort zones, just 4% beyond, to stimulate growth, even when facing fear, mental roadblocks, or a lack of confidence. His advice? Take small, consistent actions that stretch your limits and develop resilience. One of the session’s most resonant takeaways was the reminder to “land the plane.” In other words, your work isn’t done until you’ve evaluated the success of a project and reflected on what worked and what didn’t. Interns had the chance to ask questions throughout, and Brian’s thoughtful, actionable responses helped them better understand how to own their effectiveness, work through ambiguity, and build reputation capital within their organizations. A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing in the next generation of finance professionals. The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program .

Women Shaping Fintech's Future: Highlights from Our "Transforming Finance" Event

June 26, 2025
By Samantha Corredor, FWA Member As fintech rapidly evolves, one thing is clear—women are driving innovation and shaping the future of finance. That vision came to life at our recent "Transforming Finance" event, hosted in collaboration with NYC Fintech Women and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Held at AWS’s New York City office, the evening brought together bold thinkers, trailblazing technologists, and finance leaders to explore how blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI are redefining the financial landscape. The evening featured two thought-provoking panel discussions that brought together women leading the charge at the intersection of finance and technology. Breaking Barriers – The Institutional Adoption of Crypto, Blockchain, & Digital Assets Moderated by Ruchy Sharma , Principal Analytics GTM Specialist at AWS, this panel explored how institutions are embracing crypto and digital assets despite a complex regulatory landscape. The panelists—all women shaping this space—shared candid perspectives: Elle Leemay Chen – Investor, Reciprocal Ventures Kristen Keyes – Head of Strategic Partnerships & Enterprise Sales, Paxos Caroline Tarnok – VP, Financial & Operational Risk, Coinbase Nelli Zaltsman – Head of Platform Settlement Solutions, Kinexys by J.P. Morgan Each of these leaders is pushing boundaries in a space still largely defined by legacy systems, helping financial institutions adopt and adapt responsibly. The Tech Stack of the Future: Building Secure & Scalable Digital Assets Led by Vivian Lai , Principal Capital Markets Specialist at AWS, this discussion focused on what it takes to build tech infrastructure that can scale with the growing demands of digital assets. The panel featured: Jeffrey Alberts – Partner, Pryor Cashman Eric Kang – Head of DeFi, Ava Labs Jasmine J . – Digital Assets Strategist, Fidelity Digital Asset Management (FDAM), Fidelity Investments Elizabeth Dethy – Principal, Head of Sell Side Product, Talos Panelists provided valuable insights into how tech and finance must work hand-in-hand to ensure security, transparency, and long-term viability. Closing Remarks FWA President Albana Theka closed out the evening by thanking our partners and the FWA community. Since our founding in 1956 by pioneering women in finance, we’ve remained committed to ensuring that women not only have a voice—but also the tools, networks, and visibility to lead in financial innovation. See More from the Event Check out the event photos below! For more highlights and videos, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram .
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