Giving Voice to Women’s Momentum in the Workplace: BNY Mellon's Global Head of Government Affairs Ann Costello

Celebrating U.S. Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day Industry Leaders Reveal "Top 5” Career Tips for the Journey to the Corner Office
Mar 28, 2014 5:00 PM ET
Ann Costello is a Managing Director and the head of Global Government Affairs for BNY Mellon.

If you had 5 minutes with an inspirational woman leader what could you find out?

Throughout March, BNY Mellon's women executives have shared their personal career insights and top five tips for reaching the corner office. These dedicated leader-coaches reflect how BNY Mellon has become the Investments Company for the World.

Here’s advice from Ann Costello. Ann oversees Government Affairs for BNY Mellon:

  1. Do what you need to do for yourself so that you can perform — sleep, eat, exercise (easier said than done!).
     
  2. Find people who will give you confidence. Do not rent that expensive space in your head to negative people or thoughts.
     
  3. Read "How to Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing it" by Peggy Klaus.
     
  4. Invest the time and effort to engage in public speaking. It’s fun and gives you visibility.
     
  5. Stand up for yourself. Find your own way to push back and be comfortable with it. There is a lot you do not have to put up with.

Ann is a Managing Director and the head of Global Government Affairs for BNY Mellon, a position created in May of 2009. She was previously a Managing Director and the head of the Washington D.C. Government Affairs office for Goldman Sachs where she started in 1996. Before that she was a partner in the law firm of Williams & Jensen, P.C.

Throughout her career in Government Affairs Ann has worked on all major legislation impacting the financial services industry, including reform of the savings and loan industry, Gramm-Leach- Bliley, and the Commodities Futures Modernization Act affecting over-the-counter derivatives.

Ann has a law degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University, and an undergraduate degree from Duke University.