Your Path to the Corner Office: Volunteer for 'Stretch Assignments' to Learn More and Develop Your Skills Faster

Throughout March, BNY Mellon's virtual mentoring series explores the career insights and candid perspectives of executives who have reached the corner office. These dedicated leader-coaches share many common traits and values, reflecting how BNY Mellon has become the Investments Company for the World.

Tracy Nickl, managing director of BNY Mellon's Global Client Management group, shares five career tips for those who are on path to the corner office:

1. You are only limited by your own thoughts and perceptions.
    
2. Volunteer for the opportunities and projects that stretch you the most and get you out of your comfort zone ... You'll learn more and develop your skills faster.
    
3. Building relationships is one of the most important things you can do ... Don't under estimate how important relationships are to EVERYTHING.
    
4. Become an excellent project manager, it will allow you to deliver results. People trust and want to work with people who do what they say they are going to do and consistently meet or exceed expectations and deliverables.
    
5. Seek out senior people you admire and engage them ... Those are the mentors that often make a difference in our careers.
    

Tracy Nickl is a senior executive of the Platinum Client Team and a member of the corporate Operating Committee at BNY Mellon. She is responsible for the strategic partnership and service delivery for a select group of BNY Mellon's key global clients.

Prior to this role, Tracy was the Executive Director of Sales for BNY Mellon's Wealth Management Group. As the head of sales, her focus was on sales force expansion; implementing best practices on a global basis; identifying emerging growth opportunities and new distribution channels to strategically position the Wealth Management Group for success.

Tracy began her career at BNY Mellon in Southern California, where she oversaw the wealth management development strategies and teams in Century City, Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

Before joining BNY Mellon, Tracy was director of Wells Fargo’s Family Wealth Group, Southern California overseeing clients with $50 Million or more in net worth. In addition, at Wells Fargo, Tracy was responsible for the Portfolio Management and Trust Team in Beverly Hills, and headed product management for the Private Bank.

Over her 30 year career she has held a variety of sales and management roles at such companies as Northern Trust, Bausch & Lomb, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and management from Simmons College and a master of business administration from Boston College and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA).

Tracy serves on the Board of Trustees for Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation. She is also on the Board of Managers for the Ketchum Downtown YMCA. Tracy is a member of The Community Council for Excellence, Villa Esperanza Services in Pasadena; as well as a member of the Palos Verdes Women’s Club and Las Madrecitas, which supports the Orthopedic Institute for Children.