Advice on Becoming a Leader, According to a Chief Marketing Officer

Marie Chinnici-Everitt, Managing Director, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), started her career in financial services at 15 years old. While a history with the industry and a natural knack for marketing has gotten her far, she attributes much of her success to the leaders who have mentored and inspired her along the way. Mentorship, both as a mentor and mentee, is something she continues to prioritize as a senior leader. In fact, her best advice for women who want to develop their careers in financial services is simple: Be you and build a network. 

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Marie tells us more about her journey - the people who helped her along the way and how she supports other women. She also shares why she joined DTCC and how women can work their way to leadership roles.

Can you tell us about your work experience journey? Has it been a straight path to reach your current position?

My career in financial services started at 15 years old when I participated in a summer internship at Merrill Lynch during high school. The role was exciting to me — I worked in the securities vault where I helped count, batch and move paper securities. My internship continued through college and after I graduated with a marketing degree, I moved into a full-time position at Merrill Lynch as an analyst. I worked at Merrill and later Bank of America for more than 25 years before joining DTCC in 2012 as CMO.

Have you worked with any mentors or coaches during your career? And do you mentor or coach anyone at the moment? 

To this day, I am still a mentor and a mentee. My mentors have helped me grow in all areas of life and I am happy to help others. For me, mentorship is a responsibility. As a leader, I believe it is imperative to inspire people to do their best work and to reach their full potential. In addition, sponsors and advocates who actively help people in their organization reach their goals are also very important. 

Who is your most important role model?

I haven’t had just one role model. There are so many people who I admire, both personally and professionally. Though as I grow older, I’m becoming increasingly impressed by people who dedicate themselves to making a difference — even if it's just in their corner of the world. I deeply respect people who are using their voices and taking an active role in making our society stronger and who have the personal courage to make the world a better place.

How did you know you wanted to work for DTCC? Was this a career aspiration? 

Working at a critical financial services infrastructure provider — in an industry that is so important to everyday life — is an honor. But it wasn’t always a career aspiration for me. Actually, I didn’t even know what DTCC was or the important role we played until later in my career. Once I better understood the firm’s importance to risk management and the smooth functioning of the markets, I was thrilled to work at DTCC. This company is truly making a difference.

What advice would you give to other women who want to develop their careers and gain leadership positions in financial services firms? 

Most importantly, be authentic. Always bring your point of view, speak up and share your expertise. Also, prioritize building a strong network while trying to make sure that your relationships are mutually beneficial. There is always benefit to spending time going out with colleagues and meeting new people. 

Also, as I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis and I cannot emphasize enough the value of staying connected and visible to your teams, as well as others in your organization.  As a leader it is important to listen and reach out at the best of times but even more so at moments like these when people are dealing with this experience very differently.

Lastly, take measured risks. You have to step out of your comfort zone to grow, so take a calculated leap of faith!

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