Cate Luzio: Banking Executive to Empowerment Leader & Founder of Luminary

Cate Luzio is a woman who spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder at Bank of America, and HSBC - only to realize her biggest impact wouldn't happen inside a bank.

She’s also my latest guest on the Clocking Out podcast!

Growing up in New Jersey, Cate dreamed of joining the FBI (just like her dad).

But Cate shares how her personal desire for the FBI just wasn't meant to be.

Instead of the FBI, Cate began her career in banking and landed in DC at a nonprofit.

8 months in, the CFO called her into his office. She thought she was getting fired.

Instead, he said: "You're doing great. But this isn't the place for you long-term. Go make money in the private sector. You can always come back to give back."

She took the advice.

Spent nearly 20 years at three of the largest banks in the world and lived abroad in three different countries.

And yet…

Even as she climbed the corporate ladder, Cate was getting deeply involved in the women's networks at JPMorgan & HSBC, mentoring talent & creating community wherever she went.

So much so that a mentor said:

"You're a 𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺! Someone who constantly needs to be making impact. If you're not challenged, you'll get bored and your performance will suffer."

He was right.

💡 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲
In 2018, Cate wrote a business plan which she knew had legs (once she’d put it down on paper).

Her conviction was so great, she stopped talking to the financial institutions that were trying to recruit her.

People thought she was crazy. Especially since she was doing it with her own capital!

This company ended up becoming Luminary - a New York–based global professional education and networking platform that connects & uplifts women and allies across industries to advance their careers together.

It’s been quite the journey.

Luminary is now in its 7th year, and counts thousands of members across 30+ countries!

Want to learn more about how Cate successfully clocked out and how she resigned from JPMorgan, stayed, then resigned again (even Jamie Dimon tried to keep her!)?

You can listen to the episode via the link here.