In this episode of Investing In Integrity, Ross Overline speaks with Diana Pagliarini, the Executive Vice President and General Auditor at State Street Corporation. Diana has 32 years of experience in the banking industry and 14 years in board-visible roles. Her leadership and ability to execute strategic plans leads to improved processes, functions, and departments while influencing policy changes and risk practices at an enterprise level.

Diana’s role at State Street involves managing and developing the company-wide corporate audit plan, ensuring risk is appropriately governed. To maintain independence, a critical component of the General Auditor Role, she has a direct reporting line to the Board of Directors Examining and Audit Committee. 

State Street is a global leader across investment servicing, markets and financing, and investment management.

Risk and auditing is about managing risks, maintaining transparency, identifying vulnerabilities, and driving compliance. With risks, there are layers of security that only authorized people should have access to. The higher the risk the more security features and layers of security are built into the architecture of the vault access. Auditors have to look at everything from people to processes and technology to know the risk. If it is a risk for State Street, it’s something Diana and her team are auditing.

In her role, Diana also values the importance of character and integrity in leadership and emphasizes self-awareness and self-care, as well as owning your mistakes and showing up, especially during difficult times. Integrity and credibility are significant currencies in leadership. Demonstrating this during challenging times can lead to further opportunities. Also, being willing to ask “What do you need?” and “How can I help?” is a great way to show leadership and build a rapport with your seniors.