The following is a memo from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Squeri that was shared in October 2026 with all American Express colleagues:
I am writing today to let you know that Alan Gallo, Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive, has decided to retire from American Express at the end of next year, after nearly 40 years with the company.
Alan has had a remarkable career at American Express. Since joining the company in 1987, he has held senior leadership roles across Finance, Corporate Planning, Global Business Services, and Internal Audit, helping to shape important priorities and guide the company through periods of significant change and growth. His broad enterprise perspective, deep knowledge of our business, sound judgment, and unwavering integrity have made him one of our most trusted leaders and advisors.
Much of Alan's early career was in Finance, supporting our Consumer and Commercial businesses and several other key areas of the company. Alan later led Corporate Planning where he played a key role shaping the company's business planning process and strategic priorities. He went on to lead Global Business Services, overseeing a broad portfolio of functions supporting our colleagues, customers, and operations around the world.
In 2019, Alan became our Chief Audit Executive and has since led the modernization of the Internal Audit Group. Under his leadership, the team strengthened its capabilities, invested in talent and training, enhanced key processes, and embraced new technology. Through every stage of this transformation, Alan has always upheld the independence, objectivity and high standards that are fundamental to Internal Audit's role.
One of the many things I have always valued about Alan is that he is not afraid to ask the tough questions. He will challenge the prevailing view, speak with candor, often accompanied by his dry sense of humor. Whatever the situation, he approaches it with strong principles and a clear commitment to doing what is right for American Express.
With Alan's upcoming retirement, I am pleased to announce that Geoffrey (Geoff) Rusnak will join American Express as Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive, effective January 19, 2027. Like Alan, Geoff will report functionally to the American Express Board's Audit and Compliance Committee and the American Express National Bank Board's Audit Committee, and administratively to me. This structure preserves the independence and objectivity of Internal Audit from Management while supporting effective governance and organizational coordination.
Geoff brings more than 30 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, compliance, and financial services. Most recently, he served as Chief Audit Director and Executive Vice President at Wells Fargo, where he was responsible for global audit coverage of Commercial Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking and International.
Prior to that, Geoff led audit coverage for Wells Fargo's Chief Risk Officer organization, overseeing a team of more than 200 audit professionals supporting areas including compliance, operational risk, credit risk, market risk, model risk, and enterprise risk management.
Before joining Wells Fargo, Geoff held senior audit leadership roles at Citi, including Chief Auditor for Global Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering, where he led a global team supporting businesses around the world. He also spent nearly two decades at Bank of America in audit and risk leadership positions.
Geoff is known as a thoughtful and collaborative leader with strong business acumen and judgment. He has experience leading global teams and guiding organizations through meaningful change and transformation, while operating with the integrity and objectivity required in the role of the Chief Audit Executive. He also understands how to be a constructive partner to business leaders while maintaining the independence necessary to provide effective challenge. His leadership experience and deep expertise across audit, risk and compliance will serve him well at American Express. I look forward to welcoming Geoff soon and working with him closely.
The Internal Audit Group (IAG) will continue to be led by Alan until Geoff joins us. After Geoff arrives, Alan will work with him to ensure a seamless transition.
Please join me in congratulating Geoff and thanking Alan for his extraordinary service to American Express.