• Titi Cole is a powerful woman in the global financial industry, thanks to her 20+ stints at various organizations.
  • Cole recently resigned from her position as a Citigroup Executive, leaving a notable gap in Citigroup’s leadership, especially as one of the most highly regarded Black women in the industry.
  • She played a critical role at Citigroup in implementing the bank’s extensive restructuring plan, which involved laying off approximately 5,000 people.

Titi Cole, a prominent female figure in the financial industry and a senior executive at Citigroup, recently resigned after a prolific four-year tenure at the bank.

Her departure marks the loss of one of the most highly regarded Black women in the financial industry, leaving a notable void in Citigroup’s leadership.

At Citigroup, Cole played a critical role in leading the implementation of the bank’s comprehensive restructuring plan.

Widely recognized as one of the most influential Black women in the financial industry, Cole boasts an impressive career spanning more than two decades, marked by her groundbreaking contributions to the industry.

Cole’s decision to leave Citigroup follows the bank’s completion of a major reorganization initiated by CEO Jane Fraser in September. Cole’s expertise and leadership have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of this restructuring process.

Before joining Citigroup, Cole brought her expertise to Wells Fargo, where she played a crucial role in reviving the struggling consumer unit amid a series of scandals. Her adept leadership and strategic vision have contributed significantly to Wells Fargo’s recovery efforts.

In 2022, Cole assumed responsibility for overseeing Citigroup’s withdrawal from the consumer banking business in multiple countries, as part of a broader initiative to streamline the bank’s operations. While much progress has been made in this endeavor, an important task remains unfinished, particularly in managing the transition of Mexico’s consumer bank, which will list next year.

Titi Cole’s background

Titilope Cole’s more than 20 years of professional experience is rooted in a robust educational foundation, characterized by a commitment to continuous learning and academic excellence.

Cole started her educational journey at the University of Ibadan where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1992, laying the foundation for her future endeavors with a sound knowledge of economic principles and theory.

Building on this foundation, Cole pursued further academic enrichment at Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management, where she embarked on a transformative journey that culminated in earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1998.

She returned to Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management in 2019 to expand her expertise with a Kellogg Executive Scholar title in General Management.

Since May 2017, Cole has served on the Board of Trustees of Queens University of Charlotte.

Since July 2023, Cole has also served on the Board of Directors of CARE, a renowned humanitarian organization dedicated to disaster relief and global development efforts.

Work experience

Titi Cole’s professional journey reads like a roadmap for leadership and innovation, marked by key roles in top organizations across multiple sectors.

Cole joined McKinsey & Company in September 1998 and sank her teeth into the role of Engagement Manager, honing her management consulting skills for five years and seven months.

In March 2004, she began a new chapter of her career at BMO Harris Bank, where she took on the role of Senior Vice President and Group Executive for Retail Banking. Her tenure at BMO lasted more than six years and six months.

  • Cole’s journey led her to the esteemed halls of Bank of America, where she held several senior executive positions from August 2010 to December 2015.
  • Most notably, she served as Senior Vice President and Senior Executive, overseeing retail products, underwriting and payment solutions.
  • Following her tenure at Bank of America, Cole moved to Wells Fargo, where she took on the mantle of Executive Vice President and Head of Operations.
  • Her leadership skills were further demonstrated during her tenure from April 2017 to July 2020, where she led operational strategies with a keen eye for efficiency and excellence.
  • Expanding her portfolio, Cole’s journey took a transformative turn with her appointment at Citi in August 2020.
  • As Global Head of Operations and Fraud Prevention, in addition to her role as Chief Client Officer for the Global Consumer Bank, she used her expertise to strengthen operational frameworks and drive customer-centric initiatives. She then ascended to the role of CEO of Legacy Franchises at Citi in February 2022, where she assumed stewardship of critical components of the banking giant’s business.

In her current capacity as an independent board member at Datadog since June 2022, Cole continues to demonstrate her astute leadership and strategic vision, bringing her wealth of experience to guide the innovative technology company’s journey.