As CEOs navigate the growing complexity of the AI era, demand for chiefs of staff is surging as organizations seek trusted strategic advisors who can help leaders prioritize, execute, and solve critical business challenges.
John Cooper has led a highly successful career of more than 25 years in the financial sector as an executive, advisor and partner. He is a recognized leader in piloting organizational growth and turnarounds as well as leadership development, demonstrating exceptional client engagement and business acumen. He also has substantial board experience in the capacity of director and committee member.
Professional Focus
- Over 25 years’ leadership experience in financial services including executive, advisory and board roles across geographies, lines of business and product types
- Substantial track record advising organizations ranging from top-tier global investment firms to fintech startups
- Delivers seasoned leadership on rapid growth, business development, turnaround, M&A integration, corporate governance, key account management, go-to-market strategy and more
- Human capital management experience including leadership development, team composition and talent acquisition
- Wide breadth of financial services expertise, spanning institutional, intermediary and retail, both domestic and international, with particular emphasis in asset management, investment management and fintech
- In-depth investment management expertise including mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, alternative investments and collective investment trusts
Business Expertise
- President, MSIM Distributors; Head of U.S. Intermediary Distribution and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, New York
- Head of Retail National Accounts at Legg Mason Global Asset Management, Baltimore
- Founder and CEO of Cooper Advisory, The Woodlands, TX
- President and CEO, Invesco Distributors and Head of U.S. Sales at Invesco Ltd., Houston; prior role as EVP, Director of Business Development and National Account Management
- Manager, Sales Administration and Client Development, Putnam International at Putnam Investments, Boston; prior roles included National Account Officer, Putnam Defined Contribution Plans
Additional Expertise
- Financial Services
- Financial Consulting
- Asset Management
- Investment Banking
- Fintech
- Wealth Management
- Insurance
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resources management from Boston College
- Series 63, 7 and 24 Securities Licenses, FINRA
Affiliations & Awards
- Mutual Fund Board Director and Chair, Governance and Nominating Committees, THOR Financial Technologies (8/2022-present)
- Advisory Board Director, Alpha TrAI, an AI hedge fund and platform (1/2020-present)
- Advisory Board Member, FLX Distribution, an asset management platform (1/2020-present)
- Advisory Board Member, Transform AI, an AI/robotic process automation platform (1/2020-present)
- Founding Member, Houston Chapter, Private Directors Association (4/2020-present)
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