In this empowering episode of the Beyond Barriers podcast, host Monica Marquez introduces us to Millie Guzman, a dynamic executive at Morgan Stanley and a steadfast champion for the Latino community.
Born and raised in a lively Puerto Rican family in the Bronx, Millie narrates her remarkable rise from the family's youngest child to a formidable leader in global finance. Her journey from an entry-level assistant to a top compliance officer encapsulates the challenges and triumphs of navigating the complex finance industry, where she has mastered the art of executive presence, strategic innovation, and keenly assessing the business atmosphere at every turn.
Millie also delves into how her cultural heritage and family values have not only molded her career but also her leadership approach, driving her to achieve peak performance and influence positive change.
This episode celebrates her professional growth, her passionate advocacy for Latinos, and the enduring cultural values that underpin her success and resilience in the corporate world.
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Welcome to Beyond Barriers
[00:30] Empowerment and Representation
[01:26] Meet Millie Guzman
[02:24] Millie's Early Life and Career Beginnings
[03:20] Lessons from Family and Early Challenges
[07:28] Developing Leadership and Overcoming Odds
[11:40] Navigating Leadership Roles
[15:17] Making Difficult Decisions as a Leader
[20:05] Adapting to Change in Compliance and Risk
[21:05] Learning from Diverse Perspectives
[22:37] Staying Grounded and Energized
[26:40] The Importance of Mentorship
[34:13] Networking for Success
[36:13] Lightning Round: Personal Insights -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life by Shakti GawainQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: Reset and Retool.Q: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: The Dot ConnectorQ: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: This is as of late because I've had to quiet my mind: meditation and reflection.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Jay Z and Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind, definitely. -
Quotes
No matter what you do in life, make it so that when you're not in the room, your absence is felt.
Millie Guzman
I'm a gardener. You have to plant, turn the soil, fertilize, prune, and care for your garden. That's how you should treat your network.
Millie Guzman
If I can see it, I can attain it.
Millie Guzman
I am passionate about ensuring that when my final chapter comes, I have done my part to ensure that someone like me is not left behind.
Millie Guzman
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About
Millie Guzman is a Global Financial Services Executive Director, Compliance Officer, and Board Member whose strategic executions have turned around, built, and transformed compliance programs, organizational culture, and strategic partnerships, safeguarding iconic and F-100 businesses from regulatory and reputational risk. She is a key business partner in developing and maintaining a framework to address a dynamic and evolving regulatory landscape. Millie provides a deep expertise in advancing business interests and shareholder value via strong alliances across the Firm.
As Executive Director and Compliance Leader at Morgan Stanley, Millie delivers compliance governance programs across MS’s Wealth Management business. She serves on FINRA CE Committee, where she influenced training rules impacting significant Industry continuing education, such as the NASAA Investment Advisor Rule for training. Millie established the Wealth Management business’ Compliance Training & Communications segment, and leveraging innovative solutions and digital capabilities, Millie provides critical information to 27K global employees and 100K users annually – fostering compliance, shaping behavior, and minimizing corporate risk.
Earlier, Millie led as Global Compliance Officer and Business Executive of MF Global, heading corporate interactions with regulatory bodies and audit firms – SEC, CFTC, FINRA, NYSE, CBOE, and Federal Reserve Bank, and Promontory. At MF Global, she spearheaded a regulatory turnaround and critical risk/crisis management, for the Firm’s Compliance supervisory framework after a critical regulatory citation – garnered the Firm in good standing with regulators through a comprehensive communication and training campaign execution.
Millie resides in New Rochelle, NY with her husband Liv and is the proud mother of Laura who is a recent senior in college. She enjoys skiing, cooking, gardening and reading.
ALPFA’s 50 Most Powerful Latinas, 2022 & 2023
Book Feature, Uncolonized Latinas, 2022
Speaker, ALPFA, Inc., Being Your Authentic Self
Host & Speaker – LCDA Annual Conference
Award, 50 Best Firms to Work For, Accepted on behalf of Morgan Stanley