Elizabeth Duke

Elizabeth "Betsy" Duke holds a noteworthy track record in the banking sector and has been instrumental in shaping U.S. monetary policy. With a career rooted in community banking and small business lending, Duke served as the Governor of the Federal Reserve from 2008 to 2013. In this role, she tackled housing, consumer, and small business issues during a critical financial crisis and recovery period. Prior to this, she was the chief operating officer of TowneBank from 2005 to 2008 and held executive positions at Wachovia Bank and SouthTrust Bank.

Among her significant achievements, Duke was the first woman to lead both the Virginia Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association. She also made history as the first female Chairman of a top U.S. bank, Wells Fargo & Company, where she led a comprehensive overhaul of the board and management following serious sales practices issues. Her expertise in monetary policy and business lending was further acknowledged when she became the seventh woman appointed to the Federal Reserve Board, a key U.S. economic policy-making body.

Duke's deep understanding of the banking industry and her ability to discuss complex fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies in an accessible manner make her a sought-after speaker. She has participated in various keynote speeches and panels, including events hosted by organizations like Brookings and the American Bankers Association. Her speeches often focus on the interplay between the banking system and the economy. Furthermore, Duke's insights have also been featured in media outlets like the "Bloomberg Surveillance Podcast."