Ameriprise Financial CEO and leadership

James "Jim" Cracchiolo is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., a leading diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. He has held these positions since September 2005, when the company was spun off from American Express. From 2003 to present, he has also been Chairman of Threadneedle Asset Management, a London-based global asset management firm.

Walter Berman is responsible for generating measurable improvements to our firm's shareholder value through initiatives that mitigate operational and strategic risk, free up capital, maximize the balance sheet and effectively manage the firm's tax rate. Berman provides the financial community and shareholders with a thorough understanding of Ameriprise Financial business and helps ensure the integrity of data and reporting. Berman joined American Express, the former parent company of Ameriprise Financial, in 1965 and served until 1996 in various positions, including Senior Vice President and Treasurer of American Express Travel Related Services (TRS), Chief Financial Officer of American Express International, Chief Financial Officer of TRS and American Express treasurer. He left the company in 1996 and held senior financial positions at other major companies, including Treasurer of IBM. He returned to the company in 2001.

Minneapolis resident, I am a senior IT executive with expertise in leading large orgs in the development of financial platforms and digital solutions in complex advisor and consumer-facing systems.

I’m known for strong business acumen and executive presence, I understand client needs, anticipate trends and have the ability to drive value by way of transforming tools, products and operations with technology. I bring C-level executives together to focus on developing strategies and plans as well as creating a compelling business case to obtain buy-in.

I have led organizations and programs in 3 different continents. I currently lead a team of more than 500 professionals and over 800 contractors managing delivery and operations in a large-scale, consumer-facing organization.

I value sophisticated yet simple thinking, creativity, and solutions that give future options and create win-win situations. I quickly assess problems and develop compelling approaches that click with leaders. I love to listen to what’s being said but also to what is not being said. I make better decisions because I listen then talk. My day-to-day approach is a continuing conversation with the team about business objectives, desired results and linking to the ultimate goal shareholder value.

I am an avid runner / walker and find that I start a run with a problem and come back with a solution. I like to use my humor to defuse difficult situations and keep the team focused on outcomes.

I graduated top of my MBA class after an engineering degree at Imperial College.

To learn more: Please connect via LinkedIn.

Specialties: C-Level Technology leadership, Strategy and Architecture, Client & Advisor Experience delivery, Analytics, Digital technology and agile development

Ted Truscott, CEO, Global Asset Management, leads the Columbia Management and Threadneedle Investments organizations. He is responsible for managing the firm's retail, institutional and owned asset portfolios, including the Columbia and Threadneedle families of mutual funds, collective funds, institutional and retail separate accounts, and alternative investments. Based in Boston, Columbia Management has investment operations in key U.S. locations, including Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Menlo Park, California. Threadneedle Investments, headquartered in London, is an international investment manager with a presence in 16 countries across the globe.

James "Jim" Cracchiolo is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., a leading diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. He has held these positions since September 2005, when the company was spun off from American Express. From 2003 to present, he has also been Chairman of Threadneedle Asset Management, a London-based global asset management firm.