Breakout Session Speaker

Join this panel discussion with a diverse group of C-suite leaders in a variety of roles and across industries (healthcare administration, business development, nonprofit, publishing, and retail.) These panelists will share their thoughts on leading with courage and clarity, current challenges, and lessons learned on the way to, and in, the C-Suite.

Rosilyn “Roz” Houston is a seasoned senior executive and board director with more than 30 years of leadership experience in the financial services, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. She is widely recognized for her trailblazing career as the highest-ranking female and first woman of color to serve in the C-Suite and Management Committees of two global banking firms, reporting directly to the U.S. CEO and global division heads. As Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Santander US, Houston oversaw enterprise-wide human capital strategy, cultural transformation, executive succession, and board-level compensation and governance matters. In this role, she worked closely with the U.S. CEO, Global Division Heads, and international regulators, navigating complex U.S. and EU banking regulatory environments. At BBVA US (now PNC), Houston held senior leadership roles including direct P&L responsibility for a $12 billion balance sheet spanning Retail, Wealth, and Commercial Banking. She led the U.S. Agile Office, driving the U.S. arm of BBVA’s global digital transformation strategy, and delivered measurable financial impact. Under her leadership, the U.S. Corporate Premises strategy reduced occupancy expense by $2.95 million while generating $12 million in net-gain sales. She was also a member of the BBVA US deal team that successfully executed the $15 billion sale of BBVA’s U.S. operations to PNC, one of the largest U.S. bank transactions in recent history. Her executive career spans regulated financial services, mergers and acquisitions, operational efficiency, governance, and organizational transformation. As an act of service, Houston recently served 16 months, as Chair and Interim CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a nationally recognized institution dedicated to advancing social justice and education. She previously served on the corporate boards of Courtroom Sciences Inc. and Ludlow Litigation and has extensive governance experience with nonprofits including the American Cancer Society, Girls, Inc., Teach for America, the American Heart Association, and Smile-a-Mile. Houston has been honored repeatedly as one of the Most Powerful Women in Banking (American Banker Top 25), named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list, and recognized among Black Enterprise’s Top Executives in Corporate America. In 2024, she was named a Woman of Impact by YHN Media Group, and in 2025 named Executive Leader of the Year at the Minority Business Awards. She is a certified executive coach (International Coaching Federation), a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and an active mentor of emerging leaders. Houston earned her B.A, and M.A. in Management from the University of Redlands, with executive and leadership education certification from Babson College, the Wharton School, and Pepperdine University. Her board and leadership expertise are grounded in: • Corporate Governance, Risk & Regulatory Oversight – Deep experience advising on governance, compensation, and regulatory compliance matters across U.S. and EU banking environments, including engagement with regulators, risk committees, and global management teams. • Mergers & Acquisitions – Proven record as a member of the BBVA US deal team for the $15B bank sale to PNC, with insight into complex negotiations, regulatory approvals, integration planning, and stakeholder management. • P&L, Operational & Financial Management – Direct accountability for a $12B balance sheet across Retail, Wealth, and Commercial Banking, with demonstrated results in profitability, efficiency, and growth. • Digital Transformation & Innovation – Leadership of BBVA’s U.S. Agile Office, spearheading adoption of the bank’s global digital transformation strategy. • Operational Efficiency & Real Estate Strategy – Delivered $2.95M reduction in occupancy expenses and $12M net-gain sales through U.S. Corporate Premises initiatives. • Human Capital Strategy & Culture – Expertise in talent, succession, DEI, leadership development, and organizational transformation. • Nonprofit & Civic Leadership – Proven record of leading mission-driven organizations and advancing ESG initiatives. • Global & Multisector Perspective – Financial services, litigation support, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial ventures.