The Moore School will present the Center for Executive Succession’s 2022 Leadership Legacy Award to Stephen J. Squeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express, one of the world’s most respected companies. Squeri will accept the award and participate in a fireside chat on Thursday, November 3, at 5 p.m. The event will take place in the Moore School W.W. Hootie Johnson Performance Hall room 101 and is open to USC students, faculty, staff and the public. Attendees must register in advance.
The Leadership Legacy Award recognizes a CEO who has personally invested their time and effort in building a legacy of leadership talent in their organization while simultaneously delivering strong financial, reputational and social performance. It is the only award of its kind that celebrates a CEO's profound commitment to developing future C-suite leaders.
“We’re delighted to have Steve Squeri as this year’s winner of the Leadership Legacy Award. He has a reputation for being one of the best people leaders many have come across in their careers, and he has managed American Express exceptionally well through the pandemic and throughout his time as Chairman and CEO." said Patrick Wright, Thomas C. Vandiver Bicentennial Chair, director of the Center for Executive Succession and a management professor.
Since being named Chairman and CEO of American Express in 2018, Squeri has built a culture focused on supporting customers, colleagues and communities and has evolved the company’s operating model through an enterprise-wide strategy focused on delivering sustainable, long-term growth.
Under his leadership, American Express has launched innovative payment, financial management and lifestyle offerings for consumers and businesses, expanded strategic partnerships, enhanced digital capabilities and reshaped its strategy to drive growth in international markets. Additionally, Steve spearheaded the development of the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework.
Squeri joined American Express in 1985 as a manager in the Travellers Cheque Group and has held a variety of senior roles across the company in the decades since. Before becoming Chairman and CEO, Squeri served as Vice Chairman of American Express from 2015 to 2018, during which time he brought together separate divisions supporting small businesses, middle-market firms and large companies to create the Global Commercial Services Group.
A native of Queens, New York, Squeri is deeply committed to giving back to the community and advancing opportunities for education and economic development. He serves as the chair of the Business Roundtable Corporate Governance Committee and on the boards of his alma maters, Manhattan College and Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School. In addition, he currently sits on the board of trustees for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Valerie Fund.
Learn more about the Leadership Legacy Award and past winners.