remarkable pace , running the home lending division for the entirety of the Northeast ( 2008-2012 ) and then managing 4,000 mortgage bankers across the US ( 2012-13 ) – all while bringing up two young children .

Almost inevitably , Duckett stepped up again to take the reins as CEO of Chase Auto Finance in 2013 . She stayed in the role for three-and-ahalf years , during which time she made it her duty to build a healthy workplace culture and helped the business achieve an unprecedented level of satisfaction among auto dealers .

The final chapter of Duckett ’ s astronomical rise at JPMorgan came in 2016 , when she was appointed CEO of Chase Consumer Banking . Here , her eyes were opened even further to the economic strife facing millions of people in the US and , while helping the organisation expand into new markets , she also pushed continuously for financial inclusion and empowerment .

Moving to insurance giant TIAA in 2021 has allowed her to uphold these values to an even greater extent . Under Duckett ’ s stewardship , the company is expanding its mission beyond higher education to all Americans saving for retirement .

A true trailblazer Following the recent resignation of Rosalind Brewer from Walgreens Boots Alliance , Duckett was , for a few weeks , the only Black woman in charge of a Fortune 500 firm ( she now has Toni Townes-Whitley , the new CEO of Science Applications International Corporation , for company ).

Whether at TIAA or elsewhere , she seems destined to remain in the upper echelons of business for many years to come , albeit with the hope of being joined by more female allies .

Duckett ’ s positive influence on everything she touches means she certainly hasn ’ t been

TIAA ’ s total assets under management

TIAA ’ s rank in the Fortune 500 for 2023

The year Thasunda Brown Duckett accepted her first permanent position with Fannie Mae

left wanting for recognition . In fact , it ’ s become difficult to keep track of all her accolades , which have come from a host of respected outlets including American Banker , Forbes and Fortune .

It goes without saying , however , that Duckett has never done anything with commendation in mind .

This is perhaps reflected best by her founding of the Otis and Rosie Brown Foundation , set up in honour of her parents back in 2013 . Its mission is to highlight extraordinary people , organisations and corporations who utilise ordinary resources to enhance the wellbeing of others – embodying everything Duckett stands for .

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