I am writing to share two important changes to our Executive Committee. After nearly 35 years of extraordinary service to American Express, Denise Pickett, President, Enterprise Shared Services (ESS), has decided to retire in February 2027. At that time, Doug Tabish, currently Chief Risk Officer of American Express and American Express National Bank (AENB), will succeed Denise as President of ESS, assuming all her current responsibilities.
Celebrating Denise's Extraordinary CareerDenise has had a truly remarkable career and has had an enormous impact on American Express. Over her tenure, she has led some of our largest businesses and most critical functions, helping guide the company through periods of change and making a lasting difference for our customers and our colleagues. I want to personally thank her for her outstanding leadership and deep commitment to American Express.
Since joining American Express in 1992, Denise has distinguished herself as one of our most accomplished and versatile leaders. Over her tenure, she has served in a number of critical leadership roles across the business, including Country Manager of Canada, Head of OPEN, our small business franchise, and President of U.S. Consumer Services, where she helped to reposition and reinvigorate our portfolio of premium products, including Platinum. Following that, Denise was appointed Chief Risk Officer and President of Global Risk, Banking and Compliance (GRC), and President of our Global Services Group (GSG), before taking on her current role leading ESS.
As President of GSG, Denise led one of our largest global organizations through a period of profound change, including the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, our global servicing team transitioned almost overnight to a fully virtual operation, maintaining business continuity while continuing to deliver the world-class service our customers expect from American Express. Denise and her team also updated our servicing capabilities through new technologies, platforms and innovations that enhanced the customer experience and enabled our frontline colleagues to be even more effective.
Most recently, as President of ESS, Denise has brought together a number of functions that are essential to the safe, resilient, and efficient operation of our company, while also shaping the future of our workplace. Her leadership has strengthened our operational capabilities while creating workplace environments and experiences that enable our colleagues to do their best work. Among Denise's most significant contributions has been leading the development of our new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center, where she has been closely involved from the very beginning, shepherding this enormously complex project through its important initial stages. When finished, our new headquarters will be part of Denise's legacy and will benefit our company and colleagues for decades to come.
As impressive as Denise's business accomplishments are, what makes her truly special is the kind of leader and person she is. Denise has an infectious enthusiasm and genuine passion for helping others succeed and grow. She brings tremendous energy and optimism to every challenge and cares deeply about the people she leads. As Executive Sponsor of the company's Women's Interest Network (WIN) for several years, Denise championed the professional and personal ambitions of colleagues across the company. She has an extraordinary ability to connect with colleagues at every level of the organization, making them feel valued, supported, and empowered.
On a personal note, I have greatly valued Denise's partnership, friendship, and unwavering dedication to our company. She has been a trusted member of our Executive Committee and an exceptional ambassador for American Express. Her influence will be felt long after her retirement, not only through the businesses she has led and capabilities she has helped build, but through the countless colleagues she has inspired along the way. I know I speak for many colleagues when I say that she will truly be missed.
Doug Tabish Named President, Enterprise Shared ServicesI am pleased to announce that Doug Tabish will succeed Denise as President of Enterprise Shared Services upon her retirement in February 2027. In this role, he will oversee Global Real Estate & Workplace Experience, Global Supply Management, Business Resilience and Corporate Functions Governance, Aviation, Global Security, and Internal Fraud. Doug will report directly to me and continue to serve as a member of our Executive Committee.
Doug is a highly accomplished and respected leader whose extensive operational experience, strong risk management expertise and deep understanding of our company make him well suited for this role.
Since joining American Express in 2003, Doug has held a series of increasingly senior leadership positions across the company. Most recently, as Chief Risk Officer of American Express and AENB and head of GRC, he has played a critical role in strengthening our risk management capabilities and reinforcing our culture of risk awareness and accountability. Previously, Doug held several leadership roles in our Global Servicing organization, including Executive Vice President (EVP) of Global Card & Risk Operations and EVP of Global Customer Engagement.
Throughout his career, Doug has demonstrated sound judgment, strong execution, and an ability to lead complex, global organizations while bringing colleagues together around shared priorities. These qualities, combined with his broad enterprise perspective and collaborative leadership style, will serve him well as he takes on responsibility for ESS and its critically important work supporting our colleagues and businesses around the world.
Doug is also deeply committed to our colleagues and communities. A former Captain in the U.S. Army, he serves as the Global Executive Sponsor of our Veterans Engagement Network, reflecting his passion for service and leadership. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Legal Outreach.
I am confident that Doug will build on the strong foundation Denise and the ESS team have established and continue advancing the capabilities that help American Express operate safely, efficiently, and effectively around the world.
Denise will continue to lead ESS until her retirement in February 2027, and she and Doug will work closely together over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. We will announce Doug's successor as Chief Risk Officer this week.
Please join me in thanking Denise for all she has contributed to American Express and congratulating Doug on his upcoming new role.