Susan Wagner

Early Career

Susan joined the Lehman Brothers, Mortgage Finance Group in New York as the Vice President. She worked in the investment banking unit on fixed income products and mergers and acquisitions. Wagner began her career at Lehman Brothers, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and fixed-income products. In 1988, she co-founded BlackRock, where she served as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. She played a pivotal role in orchestrating significant mergers and acquisitions, including those of Quellos, Merrill Lynch Investment Management, and Barclays Global Investors, contributing to BlackRock's global expansion into Asia, the Middle East, and Brazil.

After retiring from her executive roles in 2012, Wagner continued to influence the financial sector by serving on BlackRock's Board of Directors. In July 2014, she joined Apple's Board of Directors, becoming the second woman to do so and bringing a strong financial background to the company. She also served on the Board of Directors of Swiss Re and was an officer and trustee of the Hackley School.

Throughout her career, Wagner has been recognized as one of the most powerful women in business, featuring in lists by Forbes, Crain Communications, the Financial Times, and Fortune. 

Heights

In 1988, Susan and her friend Ralph Schlosstein joined the Blackstone Financial Group, renamed later as  BlackRock. Susan was the co-founder of BlackRock. She served the company as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman. Under her leadership, BlackRock acquired the Merrill Lynch Investment Management, Barclays Global Investors and Quellos. Susan expanded the company to Brazil, Asia and the Middle East. Currently, Susanis a member of BlackRock’s Board of Directors and of Board of Trustees of the Hackley School.

Susan was named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business", by the Fortune magazine.She features on the lists published by the Crain’s New York and the Financial Times and has been honored by the National Council for Research on Women. Susan currently serves on the Boards of Swiss Re, BlackRock, Wellesley College, Hackley School and DSP BlackRock (India).

In May 2014 she was invited by Wellesley's Class of 2014 to give the commencement speech. Later, in July 2014, Susan was elected to the board of Apple Inc. She is the second woman on the Apple board comprising eight members and the only director with a sturdy financial background.

In 2023, she received the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Finance Pioneer Award at the United Nations, honoring her as a trailblazer and innovator in her field. Wagner's contributions have significantly shaped the financial industry, particularly in asset management and corporate governance, underscoring her role as a leading figure in global finance.

Personal Life

Susan is married and has three children. The family resides in the suburbs of New York. Susan refers to herself as a "down to earth New York commuter".  Beyond her professional achievements, Wagner is married to Michael J. Lippitz, and they have three children. The family resides in the suburbs of New York. Wagner leads the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Family Foundation, supporting various initiatives, including the Washington Institute for Near East Policy's Fikra Forum, which promotes democratic discourse in the Arab world.

In addition to her role at BlackRock, Wagner serves on the boards of Apple Inc., Color Health, and Samsara, contributing her extensive financial expertise to these organizations.

Susan Wagner Interview