The Most Powerful Women in Banking: No. 16, Teresa Heitsenrether, JPMorgan Chase

Teresa Heitsenrether isn't nervous. She's prepared.

In June 2023, Heitsenrether was named the first-ever chief data and analytics officer at JPMorgan Chase . The appointment put her in charge of the bank's new data and analytics unit, established to propel the bank's leap toward integrating generative artificial intelligence into its products and business model.

It also made her a direct report to Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon and President and Chief Operating Officer Daniel Pinto.

Hear her speak at The Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference in New York City, October 22-23.

"I was excited by the opportunity to take on something that is so strategically important for the firm," Heitsenrether said. "While it's always a little daunting to take on a big new job, it's also energizing at this point in my career to be at the center of such a transformational phase of AI evolution."

To help scale the bank's AI development, Heitsenrether's position involves engaging with developers and providers outside of JPMorgan while working with various departments within the bank. The goal is to determine how to use AI to meet the needs of the firm and its clients.

Coming from her roles in corporate and investment banking, taking the position as chief data and analytics officer was a step outside her comfort zone, Heitsenrether said. To prepare, she gave herself a crash course on AI.

"I have been reading nonstop and even started listening to podcasts when I'm on the treadmill!" Heitsenrether said. "I also spent a good deal of time with our own data scientists and business leaders to understand their priorities."

Her homework has paid off. In her first year, Heitsenrether was able to roll out AI tools and training to nearly 100,000 employees, helping them work more efficiently and improve time management.

"There's nothing better than getting an email from a working mom telling me how AI helped her prepare for a presentation and freed up valuable time to spend with her kids," she said.

Heitsenrether has spent her entire 36-year career at JPMorgan. Before being appointed to her current role, she was the global head of securities services, a multinational business within JPMorgan that has $30 trillion in client assets under custody and serves its top asset managers and owners.

Under her leadership since 2015, securities services increased its revenue by more than 22% and grew its custodial assets by nearly $9 trillion.

"While there will always be certain technical skills you'll need to do your job, don't underestimate the importance of skills like collaboration and communication," Heitsenrether said. "As technology continues to make many aspects of our jobs easier, the ability to connect the dots between people and processes is even more valuable."

Outside the bank, she engages in educational sessions and AI policy discussions with global regulators.

In the midst of holding a top position at the world's largest bank, Heitsenrether also mentors female students at the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University, where she earned a B.S. in finance. She now serves as an advisor to the dean.

At JPMorgan, Heitsenrether is a member of its Women on the Move employee resource group and participates in an informal network of female colleagues.