Mike Albert
Mike is a 30-plus year veteran of Financial Services with a long history of building organizations and creatively solving complex business issues. He spent most of his career with TIAA-CREF and subsequently Nuveen Asset Management in many different and varied roles:
Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Operations, an in-sourced division responsible for all middle-office functions supporting publicly traded investments ($800 billion AUM). The division consisted of a 115-person team of diverse professionals spanning six sites and ten distinct functional units with an annual budget of $32 million dollars. Mike chaired the Trade Error Committee and served as a voting member on four other Board-delegated committees. Responsibility for all facets of business management: budgeting/forecasting, strategic planning, business partnerships, talent management, cost control, continuous improvement, and benchmarking.
Co-manager of Process Excellence Team consisting of six-sigma black belts and project managers responsible for process improvement and efficiency initiatives spanning the enterprise.
Designed and created center of excellence within the Middle Office to streamline and efficiently represent Asset Management business on all control requests (internal/external audit, compliance, risk management, business continuity, IT general controls). Control Services became a leading-edge model for other lines of business to emulate and achieved successful outcomes (no significant deficiencies) on all SEC Adviser and sweep exams, annual Sarbanes-Oxley assurances, and Federal Reserve (OCC) examinations. Team also managed pre- and post -trade compliance function.
Personally selected by Executive Management Team to design and build an enterprise-wide records management program in response to major control deficiencies cited in an audit. Worked across the organization to ensure leadership buy-in and compliance with newly designed standards. Created bi-level governance structure to keep program current and ensure ongoing participation from all business lines. Closed all control gaps cited in original audit.
Decision Support Director responsible for researching and presenting original financial analysis to the TIAA Independent Board of Trustees. Managed relationships with external independent NSROs supplying necessary data to maintain highest claims-paying ratings. Led year-end cash flow projects to ensure that all available funds were fully invested in the current calendar year.
Throughout his career, Mike has gained extensive expertise in investment operations, talent management, best practice control structures, gap remediation, organizational design, strategic and financial planning, effective governance, process improvement, and vendor management.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Siena College and an MBA in Finance from Pace University. He also completed an Advanced Leadership development program at Kenan-Flagler Business School, UNC Chapel Hill, and the Foundations of Leadership program at The Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.