Roger Ferguson

The Economy in a Post-Covid World, Leading in Crisis and Beyond

Roger Ferguson has long focused on financial well-being and security, most recently leading the 17,000 employees of financial services provider TIAA which manages $1.3 trillion in assets through a shift to remote work during a pandemic and the racial reckoning following George Floyd’s death. Roger led TIAA staying true to their values and came through these series of crises as a financially strong and stable company with ample capital. He embodies four specific traits that define a good leader: expertise, vision, perseverance, and empathy – and authentically captures audience’s attention explaining why these traits are necessary leading in uncertain and difficult times.

Previously as vice chairman of the Federal Reserve for nearly 10 years, Roger steered the country’s economy through the massive financial aftershock of September 11. A brilliant economist, Roger Ferguson inspires organizations to understand the importance of the challenges in financial well-being, including retirement security, inclusion, equity, and empowerment. We have faced major challenges over the past year and half especially and Roger guides organizations to solutions and actionable change.

Roger discusses three crises we have seen – health, social justice and economic – all intertwined and what must be done to mitigate the damage navigating a post-Covid world. Roger lays out three crucial steps for an actionable way forward: Recognition of the lessons we have learned and making sure we move from denial to acceptance of truth as it does exist. The second step is for companies to think how they can be part of the solution, what actions can be taken for short- immediate- and longer-term. And the third is for the government to determine to use its phenomenal resources to overcome challenges and to avoid the potential scarring to the economy and individuals.

Roger dives into motivating lessons of where necessary investments must be made in the future – in infrastructure, education, and making a greener economy. Roger passionately believes education is a great equalizer and increasing college completion rates would lead to a larger economy by a couple percentage points. Roger’s expertise extends to corporate governance matters with boards, financial policy issues around fintech, and challenges around inclusive capitalism. 

The Importance of Diversity to our Economy

Roger Ferguson, one of just five Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in 2021, leads organizations and audiences to a deeper understanding that closing the racial wealth gap is a net positive for the economy overall, not just the right thing to do. How is the discussion around race, equity, representation, and justice different than in the past? Roger optimistically sees organizations moving from talk to commitment and disclosing how they are progressing, annually updating where they stand achieving long-term goals. Roger expertly navigates a conversation of what it was like being the only black executive in boardrooms and the strategies he used to navigate ‘onlyness’ and actionable ways organizations and audiences can do the same and support representation across the corporate landscape.

The confluence of events the past year and a half have been shocking: A global pandemic where, in the U.S. alone, more than 500,000 lives have been lost, where the ZIP code where you reside can determine your educational and professional opportunities, the significant evidence of racial inequity and adding the shocking events of early January where democracy was in peril. In a year of unimaginable events converging we are now in a strong position with a significant sense of urgency that organizations and leadership must commit to actionable change, Roger inspires audiences and organizations through his expertise and experience in accomplishing lasting change.