From passion to purpose: A Q&A with EMBA grad Kourtney Gibson ’10 MBA
With an illustrious career of more than 20 years in financial services, including being named one of the most powerful women in finance by American Banker, Kourtney Gibson ‘10 MBA wasn’t just looking for a credential when exploring MBA options. As CEO of TIAA Retirement Solutions, Gibson was seeking a transformative experience that would help shape her leadership and broaden her perspective while deepening her impact.
Gibson recently sat down with us to explain how her Kellogg Executive MBA (EMBA) journey equipped her to lead with clarity, compassion and conviction in a mission that matters: tackling the retirement crisis.
What motivated you to pursue an EMBA at Kellogg, and how has the experience shaped you?
When I decided to pursue a graduate business degree, I knew I wanted to study at an institution with a global reach that would prepare me for the full scope of my professional journey, not just the next step of my career, and the Kellogg School of Management aligned with what I was looking for.
Kellogg is a place where leaders are positioned to excel inside and outside of the boardroom. When you complete an EMBA degree at Kellogg, you’re leaving with more than another level of certification. Graduates are also equipped with a passion and commitment for the communities they serve and beyond.
I’ve always challenged myself to leave places and people better than I found them. Kellogg cultivated the skills I needed to turn my passion into purpose. Now, as CEO of TIAA Retirement Solutions, my personal and professional missions have come full circle.
TIAA is the leading retirement provider in the not-for-profit (NFP) retirement market, serving colleges, universities, healthcare providers, government agencies and other service-focused institutions. After 105 years, we are still innovating by incorporating lifetime income into retirement plan default investment options.
I’m responsible for leading my team in helping to change the landscape of retirement security through access to guaranteed lifetime income. This is an incredibly important mission for current and future retirees and their families.
Research from investment firm Morningstar shows 45% of Americans are at risk of running out of savings in retirement. Adding a source of income that cannot be outlived to a retirement savings strategy is more than a good option — it’s vital to retirees’ financial stability.
Thanks in part to the wonderful education I received from Kellogg, I’m making a difference in the lives of incredible people and changing the future of retirement, one client at a time.
You’ve had a remarkable journey from Loop Capital to your current role at TIAA. Which pivotal moments or people have helped shape your leadership style?
So many people and opportunities have influenced my leadership style, it’s hard to call out one specific person or pivotal moment. Every position, interaction and experience have shaped the leader I am today.
I left an awesome 20-year career at Loop Capital, where I led multiple functions, including firmwide operations, asset management, strategy, as well as sales and trading globally for an amazing role at TIAA. The experience I gained at Loop Capital — establishing business lines, setting long-term strategy, managing risk, aligning talent, fostering client relationships and building business and investment acumen — prepared me to lead my team with resilience as we fight to provide retirement and financial security for all, while remaining the leading retirement provider in the not-for-profit space.
I’ve had wonderful sponsors and mentors along my journey, but none have shaped and inspired me more than my mom, dad, sister, husband and four children. The unwavering support of my immediate and extended family, combined with the grounding of my faith and values, drives my purpose and shapes my leadership.
With more than 20 years of finance experience under your belt, in what ways have you seen the industry shift? Where do you see it going, and how are you and your team preparing for those changes?
One of the biggest and probably most remarkable changes I’ve seen over the last 20 years has been in technology. Technology continues to change at lightning speed — pushing finance and other industries forward in unimaginable ways. AI is the latest example of how technology continues to shift, allowing companies and their clients to accomplish more, even faster.
At TIAA, we’re aiming to become an AI-powered enterprise, embracing AI as a tool to open a new world of possibilities to help us delight our clients and strengthen our operations. We’re harnessing AI, including GenAI, to drive innovation in our product and service offerings and equip our employees with more relevant and robust information to help our clients. Last year, we formally announced the launch of TIAA gAIt (our proprietary GenAI tech platform), expanding our capabilities to harness both traditional and generative AI.
While there are always regulatory and customer expectations driving change within the finance industry, technology continues to lead the way for innovation and advancement.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in finance or other traditionally male-dominated industries?
Anyone aspiring to climb the ranks of leadership in finance, or any industry, should remember that their voice matters. It’s not only about having a seat at the table. You need to ask yourself what are your unique strengths that you are bringing to the table and lean into that.
There’s a need for strong, effective and quick-thinking leadership — especially in spaces where the scales may seem unbalanced. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas or take the lead on projects.
Learn how to feel comfortable in uncomfortable settings or spaces. Remember, growth is found in the process, not the destination. Embracing that attitude and remaining curious often makes the difference.
I’ve been lucky to have female and male sponsors and mentors share this wisdom with me during my journey. Now I’m passing this same wisdom along to others as they strive to find their voice.
For professionals weighing the decision to pursue an EMBA, what factors do you think matter most in making that choice?
Anyone considering an EMBA degree should weigh the value of broadening their perspective as a business leader, particularly in the finance industry. As finance leaders, our obligation to clients is two-fold: to provide customers and clients with strategies to achieve and sustain their financial goals, along with the tools to help them understand the best path to achieving their goals.
An EMBA degree can position leaders to consider the big-picture obstacles facing the world and encourage solutions that will have a long-lasting positive impact.
Kellogg: Why is lifelong learning so important to you?
Education is the engine that fuels growth, adaptability and relevance. Learning is how you stay relevant, impactful and inspired, not just in work but in life. For me, it’s a required course that never ends.
I’ve always understood the importance of pursuing educational opportunities beyond what was required. As the child of an educator, I learned this lesson early on. My mother made sure my sister and I understood the value of learning beyond our required assignments and the timeline of our academic career. The concept of lifelong learning was instilled in us before our desire matched our actions.
Lifelong learning isn’t just advantageous — it’s transformative. It enables us to adapt to change, preserve cognitive vitality, enhance personal satisfaction and inspire others. As traditional life stages and career paths become increasingly non-linear, the commitment to continuous growth and development stands as one of the most reliable investments we can make in ourselves.