Movers and Shakers – Financial Data Services

by Sima Matthes (New York City)

All eyes are on the market today, looking to see if the $700 billion “rescue plan” will have the desired effect of soothing nervous investors and turning around the downward market spiral. This intense market scrutiny put us in mind of those who, among other things, process the market transactions. And, as we focus on the stock tickers and market fluctuations, it seemed appropriate to note some women leading the way in the Financial Data Services industry.

Of the top five Financial Data Services companies listed on the Fortune 500 this year, one stands out for its inclusion of women in its upper ranks. Western Union (Fortune #473) has five women on its 14-member management team, including the company’s CEO.

The Glass Hammer profiled Christina A. Gold, the President, CEO and Director of Western Union in January 2008 as part of an article on Top Female CEOs of 2007. Ms. Gold has been at Western Union for six years, prior to which she served as VP and CEO at Excel Communications. She was also credited with the turnaround of Avon North America during her tenure as President of that company. She was ranked as one of Forbes magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in both 2007 and 2008. Ms. Gold is a graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa.

Liz Alicea-Velez is the Executive Vice President of the Latin America/Mexico/Caribbean region of Western Union, overseeing all of the company’s functions throughout that region.
Ms. Alicea-Velez joined Western Union in 1992. Before that, she worked in the software industry and in Spanish-language television. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Adelphi University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

Robin Heller is the Executive Vice President, Operations and IT for Western Union. She previously served as senior VP of Global Operations for First Data Corp., Western Union’s former parent company. Ms. Heller holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska in Omaha and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Iowa State University.

Anne McCarthy serves as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, overseeing global media relations as well as all other aspects of the company’s internal and external communications. Fairly new to the company, Ms. McCarthy joined Western Union in 2007. Ms. McCarthy earned a BA in journalism from Michigan State University and has completed executive education programs at The Wharton School, the University of Pennsylvania and at INSEAD at Fontainebleau.

Gail Galuppo is Western Union’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. She is responsible for the company’s branding and marketing, sales management and product development. She also joined the company in 2007, following a similar position at Standard Chartered Bank. Ms. Galuppo holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University.

Rounding out the industry’s top five are: First Data (#315), Fiserv (#468), SunGard Data Systems (#472) and Fidelity National Information Services (#481).

First Data and Fidelity National Information Services have no women in executive positions. Fiserv and SunGard each have one woman.

Kim M. Robak is a Director of Fiserv. She is a Partner at Ruth, Mueller and Robak, LLC, and brings more than 20 years of experience in law, education and public service with her. Ms. Robak served as Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska from October 1993 to January of 1999, prior to which she was Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to then-Governor E. Benjamin Nelson. She earned both her J.D. (Order of the Coif and with highest distinction) and a Bachelor of Science with distinction from University of Nebraska.

Victoria Silbey has been the Senior Vice President-Legal and General Counsel of SunGard Data Systems since 2005. She has held various positions with the company during her 11-year tenure. Prior to joining SunGard, she spent six years as an attorney with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia.

Here’ s hoping that women’s stock will continue to rise with the fortunes of these companies.