Witad Awards 2025: Technology leader of the year (vendor)—Mary Cecola, Broadridge Financial Solutions

What is your position within your firm?
Mary Cecola: I’m CTO, asset management, at Broadridge Financial Solutions.

How long have you been in the financial services industry?
Cecola: I’ve worked in the industry for over 30 years.

How did you get into the industry? Was it a conscious decision or did you “fall” into it?
Cecola: I got into the computer science industry somewhat unintentionally. Initially, I was pursuing a degree in political science and was involved in a field called politometrics, which combines math, economics, history, and political philosophy. My proficiency in math caught the attention of a professor, who encouraged me to explore computer science. I then decided to pursue a master’s degree in computer science, leading me to technology in financial services.

What does your day-to-day role entail?
Cecola: My day-to-day role involves understanding Broadridge’s strategic approach, particularly in integrating platforms like the Workstation Framework, which unifies Broadridge’s front-end interfaces. I apply this strategy to my area by creating and driving projects to completion. Balancing strategic planning with effective delivery is essential, ensuring that we turn strategic visions into practical, well-executed projects.

What single project/piece of work are you most proud of during your career in the industry to date?
Cecola: The project I’m most proud of is Broadridge’s datacenter migration, which is crucial for ensuring stability and reliability for our clients. This project is significant because having formerly worked for asset managers and buy-side firms over my career, I have experienced the client’s side of market outages. I understand the critical need for seamless service. Our “two in a box” approach, which unites product and technology perspectives, enhances synergy and trust, allowing us to effectively navigate challenges and focus on delivering optimal solutions for our clients.

What are you currently working on and what makes it significant in the context of your position?
Cecola: I’m currently focused on the development and implementation of Broadridge’s Workstation Framework for the Asset Management solution team. This initiative is driving critical improvements across multiple platforms, including Broadridge Investment Management Solutions, Sentry, and Reference Data Solutions. It provides much-needed stability, freeing us to focus on revitalizing user interfaces and integrating AI tools. By unifying these systems into a cohesive framework, we will significantly enhance functionality and user experience.

To what extent were you helped during your career by a mentor/role model within the business?
Cecola: I’ve benefited significantly from mentors and advocates throughout my career. Mentors offered guidance and skill development, like a manager who recognized my potential but encouraged me to improve my self-promotion through sales training. Advocates, often not in direct contact, supported me in meetings and highlighted opportunities. I learned early in my career to seize chances to communicate my accomplishments to senior management, ensuring that I’m remembered positively when opportunities arise.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the crucial balance between strategy and delivery. Having a great strategy is essential, but it must be effectively paired with the ability to execute it

To what extent does your firm have a formalized framework that seeks to identify and promote talented women and ensure they have every opportunity to realize their ambitions and contribute to the business?
Cecola: Broadridge encourages diversity by ensuring a diverse slate of candidates for positions, recognizing that diverse perspectives enhance decision-making. I personally mentor women in the organization, offering guidance and fostering open conversations about challenges they face. I also facilitate discussions among women in our offices globally, encouraging them to share experiences and support each other. This approach helps talented women connect with senior leaders and achieve their ambitions.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome during your career in the industry to date?
Cecola: One of the greatest obstacles I faced was realizing the importance of executive presence and presentation skills in advancing my career. Initially, I struggled with understanding why I wasn’t selected for certain roles, suspecting gender bias. Instead of dwelling on that, I focused on developing my executive presence—an intangible quality that became crucial as I rose in the organization. Mastering these skills was crucial to my career, enabling me to effectively present myself and my ideas.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far during your career?   
Cecola: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the crucial balance between strategy and delivery. Having a great strategy is essential, but it must be effectively paired with the ability to execute it. Whether you excel in strategy or delivery, it’s vital to complement your strengths by collaborating with those who balance out your skills. Additionally, advancing in your career requires more than just technical expertise—you need to continuously develop a well-rounded skillset.

What would you advise women just entering the industry?
Cecola: I advise women entering the industry to seize opportunities even if they don’t feel 100% ready. Focus on learning both the business and technical aspects and build relationships beyond your immediate area. Prioritize developing executive and presentation skills, as these are crucial for advancement. Speak up and express your career ambitions, as not doing so might be misinterpreted as a lack of interest in advancing.

What does this award mean to you?
Cecola: This award is testament to the hard work and collaboration of my entire team. It represents a collective achievement across IT, product, and client support, highlighting that success is a team effort rather than an individual one. Being recognized by a prestigious global organization like WatersTechnology is incredibly meaningful and underscores the importance of teamwork in achieving success. I am truly honored to receive this recognition and I share it with my team.