Your Path to the Corner Office: Take Ownership of Your Career and Do What You Love.

Women now yield unprecedented economic and financial clout--making up nearly two-thirds of the U.S. work force and frequently out-earning their spouses. Yet they have traditionally been underrepresented in the corner office.

In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month in the U.S., BNY Mellon's executives share lessons from their personal leadership journey. These dedicated leader-coaches are a reflection of why BNY Mellon has become the Investments Company for the World.

If you had 5 minutes with an inspirational woman leader what could you find out?

Cindy Caruso, BNY Mellon’s Global Head of Investment Management Human Resources, with her top five career tips for those who are just getting started in their careers as well as those who are already moving ahead on the path to the corner office:

1. Take ownership of your career:
   • Have high expectations for what you want to accomplish and continually work towards achieving them.
   • Never sit back and blame your lack of progress on a company's failure to provide you with opportunities. Create your own opportunities.
      
2. Be a continuous student and leverage learning opportunities:
   • Expand your knowledge base and maintain your intellectual curiosity.
   • Over the course of your career, your employers will likely spend enough to cover a 4-year college degree on independent development programs and training – seek it out!
      
3. Take risks and follow your heart:
   • Do what you love. The time, hard work, effort, success, fulfillment and money will follow.
      
4. Try different industries and fields and regions:
   • A global economy requires a global mindset – and preferably global assignments.
   • Find formal and informal mentors, maintain a network and follow your best bosses.
   • Keep in touch with those internally and externally with whom you may collaborate in the future – stay in touch.
      
5. Cultivate outside interests and don't forget where you started – give back.

Cindy Caruso is the Global Head of Human Resources for BNY Mellon Investment Management and is a member of its Executive Committee. She is also a member of BNY Mellon's Operating Committee.

Prior to joining BNY Mellon in 2012, Cindy had over 20 years of experience in human resources, with nearly 15 years spent in the financial services industry, most recently as a Managing Director and Head of Human Resources for ING Investment Management Americas. Cindy also had several roles at CIT including the head of Corporate Finance HR, and various global and regional roles with Citigroup in their Asset Management, Investment Banking, Transaction Services, and College Relations groups. While at Citi, she also led the HR due diligence and subsequent integration of Citigroup Asset Management after its sale to Legg Mason in December 2005. Prior to working in financial services, Cindy worked with the Pepsi-Cola Company and with Ingersoll-Rand Company in Texas, California, Mexico, and New Jersey.

Cindy earned her B.S. degree in Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. Based in New York and an active member of her community, Cindy is very involved with several local charitable organizations and is a member of the Board of Trustees for Cristo Rey New York High School in Harlem.