TIAA President and CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett provides students with a lesson in authentic communication and developing a personal brand

As President and CEO of TIAA, a Fortune 100 company, Thasunda Brown Duckett exemplifies executive presence. She recently visited Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and shared her insights on the power of leadership communication and developing an authentic voice with students in Professor Steven Cohen’s Business Communication class.

Duckett told the students her keys to successful communication are to be authentic and purposeful. She said people perceive authenticity through consistency in communication.

“My assignment is not to come across as impressive with all the accolades,” she said. “The assignment is to connect. And if that is my intent, then I should operate with the level of agility of all aspects of who I am in order to find connection. That is effective communication for me.”

Duckett knows about impressive brands. As head of TIAA, she oversees one of the world’s largest financial organizations that provides investment and insurance services for workers in the nonprofit sector, including academia, research, medicine, government, and culture. Today, TIAA serves nearly five million active and retired employee accounts across more than 15,000 institutions, with $1.2 trillion under management. Before joining TIAA in 2021, Duckett spent 17 years in executive roles with JPMorganChase, including CEO of the Consumer Bank and Auto Finance divisions. She also serves on numerous boards, including NIKE, Inc., Brex Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, National Medal of Honor Museum, Economic Club of New York, the University of Houston Board of Visitors, and the Dean’s Advisory Board for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.

During her visit to Carey, Duckett offered students her unique perspectives and experiences on developing executive presence. As an African American working in the financial industry and one of only 53 women currently leading a Fortune 500 company, Duckett noted she was often the first or the youngest in whatever position she held. 

“Executive presence means you belong in the room,” she said. “And by the way, executive presence is available for everyone. Whether you are an introvert, an extrovert, a this or that, all you have to know is that you belong in the room.”

While encouraging students to be authentic to themselves, Duckett added, “Be the best version of yourself unapologetically.” 

MBA candidate Camila Godoy called the meeting with Brown Duckett life changing. 

“Her presence and words were refreshing and inspiring to all of us,” Godoy said. “She encouraged me to dream big, dream to the moon. Know that your voice and unique experience are needed in the room and are your greatest assets.”

JD/MBA candidate Moojin Park was equally impressed with the classroom experience. 

“For Ms. Brown Duckett, a CEO of a Fortune 100 company, her time is going to be very valuable. It was very eye-opening to see such a person as Ms. Brown Duckett, and for Johns Hopkins to provide that opportunity was incredible.” 

“Thasunda Brown Duckett’s visit left a lasting impression on the class,” said Professor Cohen. “It was a unique opportunity for students to see an executive leader in action and learn about communication, authenticity, and presence. Thasunda’s personal story and exceptional communication skills inspired students to dream big and strive for excellence in their careers.”