HEIDI STEIGER
“Collaborative way of working in senior management and C-Suite roles� Heidi Steiger
heidisteiger.wordpress.com
Creative visionary
I’m catching up with Heidi Steiger at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. She’s just left her job as Eastern Region President of the Private Client Reserve of US Bank… Why did you leave your job at US Bank? The position at US Bank – and the experience of being part of a large corporation – was the final step in my journey towards achieving experience in all aspects of the financial services industry. So now what? As a qualified financial expert, I’d like to go back to serving on corporate boards. You’ll remember that I had served on a number of public and private boards before joining US Bank. Quite simply: I thoroughly enjoyed serving on corporate boards. I find it intellectually stimulating, and I want to share the wealth of knowledge and experience I’ve acquired to help others achieve their own ambitions. I’m longing to take part in top-level strategy-making; coach a company to the next level; help a CEO build his or her company. In other words: help others unlock their potential. ‘As well as the financial world – banking, investments, insurance, wealth management and brokerage – I’ve worked in consumer luxury, energy, media and real estate.’ What qualities would make you the ideal corporate director? I’m a change-agent with a proven track record. An experienced leader in senior management and C-Suite roles, with a collaborative style of working and leading that creates a prosperous climate. I’m also a highly dynamic negotiator; a trait inherent in women, I believe. And I’m a right-brainer in a left-brained world. This idiosyncrasy affords me a distinctive perspective and allows me to converge my knowledge of the rules and regulations of the financial world with creative thinking. And what experience would make you the ideal corporate director? I’m experienced in highly-regulated industries as well as other types of businesses. And I’m familiar with statutory, GAP and MCEV accounting principles, as well as Basel 3. I’ve chaired various board committees and, as a qualified financial expert, can serve on audit committees. I’ve also orchestrated both hostile and friendly takeovers, led a company out of bankruptcy, spearheaded succession planning for a future CEO, and implemented risk management initiatives. What boards would you like to sit on? Ideally, I’d like to be on the board of 3-5 different companies. It could be a large NYSE firm with a focus on global business or perhaps a private equity company with institutional investors and an ambition to go public or be acquired: my job would be to guide management through this process, prepare and make the deal. I’d also love to serve on boards in other countries, preferably Europe, since I have spent part of my career working in Southeast Asia, Latin America, a bit in the Middle East as well as Europe. Heidi Steiger
heidisteiger.wordpress.com
Creative visionary
Why Europe? My parents were both European, and I’ve always had a fascination for exploring cultural differences, as well as a desire to keep learning from other cultures. I also have a great deal of experience in working on different continents – and love the challenge it brings, as well as the different approaches. I can lend my American and international perspective to European business; I’m also proficient in French. ‘Apart from the USA, I’ve worked in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, France, UK, UAE, Bermuda, and South America.’
You’ve already sat on several boards? Yes, and really enjoyed it! On one board I did three stints of three years; the maximum allowed. The other companies either got acquired or bought another company, which meant that my job was done. And once, a conflict of interest arose, when I joined US Bank. You’re currently an advisory board member at North Carolina State University? Yes, it’s a visionary university collaborating with SKEMA in France. Through the business school, students earn a degree in Global Luxury Marketing. It’s an opportunity for me to help the university develop curriculum and also mentor students. The board consists of senior executives from various industries who contribute their time and perspectives on the global luxury market. Board members are very hands-on, in fact, with ample opportunities to interact with the students for career development, hiring and internships. Heidi Steiger
heidisteiger.wordpress.com
Creative visionary
You also serve on the board of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL). Yes, I’m board director, chair of the finance committee and a member of the executive committee. I’ve actually served on this board since 2006, which has afforded me with vast, insightful knowledge about this very complex industry. And you are on the board of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) as well as its Cyber Tech Council? Yes, this is a bipartisan, not-for-profit organization, which works with all branches of the US military, FBI, CIA and Treasury. It’s a privilege to be a part of it. My skills • Branding • Marketing • Change Management • Corporate Governance • IPO/Flotation • Media/Government Relations • M&A Advisory • Risk Management • Turnarounds • Succession planning • Recruiting and managing successful sales teams • Investment management This entry was posted in: CoolBrands People, CoolBrands Women, Female audit committee expert, Female board director and tagged: #CoolBrandsPeople, #CoolBrandsWomen, #HeidiSteiger, board director, CoolBrands, CoolBrands People, CoolBrands Women, corporate director, Creative visionary, Female audit committee expert, female board director, female board director financial expert, financial expert, financial services industry, Heidi Steiger, meeting Heidi Steiger
Heidi Steiger
heidisteiger.wordpress.com
Creative visionary