Overview

Jeff Stiefler is a distinguished former CEO, advisor, and board member with deep experience in fintech, financial services, and private equity/venture capital. Stiefler has held top executive roles, including Chairman, President & CEO of Digital Insight, leading the company through a successful acquisition. He previously served as President of American Express (NYSE: AXP) and CEO of American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise, NYSE: AMP). Following his career as an operator, he has also served on more than 20 corporate boards for a broad range of both public and private companies in different industries, stages of development, size, and ownership.

Career History

Stiefler’s leadership journey reflects a consistent track record of guiding companies through growth, transformation, and strategic value creation. He served as Chairman of Vantiv (later Worldpay, NYSE: WP), where he played a pivotal role in leading the company from its $561M spin-out from Fifth Third Bank, backed by Advent International, through its IPO and eventual $35B acquisition by FIS Global (NYSE: FIS), making the deal one of the most successful fintech transactions to date. Following the merger, he continued as Lead Director of the combined company, helping to steer its long-term integration and strategic evolution.

Earlier, Stiefler was Chairman, President, and CEO of Digital Insight, where he led a multi-year turnaround that delivered approximately 20% annual revenue and earnings growth. His leadership culminated in the company’s ~$1.35B acquisition by Intuit, positioning Digital Insight as a market leader in online banking solutions.

Prior to that, Stiefler held senior executive roles at American Express, including President of the corporation and CEO of American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise, NYSE: AMP). Under his leadership, the advisor network grew from 2,000 to 10,000 representatives, while the business achieved more than a decade of consistent 15%+ operating income growth.

In addition to his executive roles, Stiefler has served on the boards of leading public and private companies, including American Express, FIS Global, LPL Financial, VeriFone Systems, Taleo, and SquareTrade. He has advised several venture and growth equity firms, including Emergence Capital, North Castle Partners, and Brighton Park Capital.

Personal

Stiefler earned a B.A. from Williams College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He recently moved to Rancho Santa Fe, Montecito, California, with his wife, Suzanne. They have six grown children, all of whom are blessedly independent, and six grandchildren, soon to be seven. In his spare time, Jeff loves great food and wine and tries, with marginal success, to work it off by biking and playing golf and pickleball.