Susan Ochs is a strategic advisor and coach to financial sector leaders.  Her 25 years in the industry have spanned government, policy, asset management, fintech, and consulting roles.

She is an expert on the intersection of organizational culture and strategy, helping leaders better understand and align mindsets to achieve desired strategic outcomes. This topic was the focus of her pioneering policy research: Inside the Banker’s Brain: Mental Models in the Financial Services Industry and Implications for Consumers, Practitioners and Regulators.

Susan began this culture work more than a decade ago, as a response to the 2008 financial crisis. After serving at the U.S. Department of the Treasury – working on the second phase of the bank bailout – she founded and led the Better Banking Project, a policy initiative to study and improve industry behaviors.  Supported by the Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation, she conducted research, led trainings and workshops, and convened a C-suite working group.  She collaborated with and advised top bank executives, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and regulators, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and FINRA. She has been published in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review and leading financial industry publications.

Her previous government service includes senior roles at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where she was Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, and the State of New Jersey, where she was Economic Advisor to the Governor.

Most recently, Susan was Global Head of Capital Markets at the Long-Term Stock Exchange, a new SEC-registered exchange designed to promote sustainability and stakeholder capitalism among companies and investors.  Prior experience includes investment roles at J.P. Morgan Investment Management and private equity firm Solera Capital. She has also served on the executive teams of two research firms within the WPP Group, serving clients and leading change management efforts.  

Susan has been a frequent commentator on financial and economic topics, appearing on CNBC, MSNBC and FOX Business. She is an ICF-certified executive coach, and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Duke University.

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