Valisha Graves ’85

Valisha Graves

Cornell degree: AB ’85 (A&S)

 

Read Valisha’s interview.

“One of the most important issues facing the Board of Trustees is how Cornell advances its 21st century education model in novel and innovative ways that resonate with, and are accessible to, a diverse set of global learners and educators, and maintain traditions that embolden alumni to engage and support.”

Professional experience:

• Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase, Community & Consumer Bank, Senior Digital Product Lead – API Marketplace, 2021–present
• Executive Director, Morgan Stanley, 2006–2021
  • Head Account Onboarding Fraud Controls & Product Strategy, Wealth Management, 2020–2021
  • Head of Onboarding Strategy, One Client Data Initiative, Wealth Management, 2018–2020
  • Practice Lead, Enterprise Infrastructure & Computing Practice, 2017–2018
  • Product Owner, Technology Asset Inventory (TAI), Enterprise Computing, 2015–2017
  • Business Technology Officer, Global Capital Markets, 2011–2015
  • Product Manager, Research, Investment Banking & Equity Derivatives, 2006–2011
  • Vice President, ModelWare Team, 2005–2006

Alumni service:

• President’s Council of Cornell Women, chair, 2021–present; vice chair, 2020–2021; Communications Committee co-chair, 2018–2020; member at large, 2016–present
• Cornell University Council, member at large, 2019–present; Administrative Board member, 2020–2021; ex officio, 2021–present
• Cornell Mosaic, member at large, 2018–present; Executive Committee member, 2014–2020; Development Committee chair, 2019–2020
• W.E. Cornell Advisory Board, member, 2019–present
• Arts & Sciences Career Connections Committee, Finance Team member, 2015–present
• Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, member, 2009–present
• Cornell Black Alumni Association, lifetime member
• Cornell Alumni Association of New York, member

Community/public service/ philanthropic priorities:

• Suffield Academy, Trustee, 1988–present; Strategic Planning and Audit & Finance Committee (current), Investment Committee (past)
• Council for Urban Professionals (CUP) Tech Catalyst, 2022–present
• NYU Fubon Center Fintech Advisory Board, 2021–present
• CFA New York Fintech Thought Leadership Committee, chair, 2020–present
• 92Y Women inPower Fellow, 2019–present
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters, 2007–2016
• 100 Women in Fintech, member
• Abyssinian Baptist Church
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), general member
• Morgan Stanley EDIT (Enhancing Diversity in Tech) forum co-founder

Other education:

• Master of Business Administration, Columbia Business School, 1994
• Carpigiani Gelato University (Bologna), Basic Gelato Course, 2013

Student involvements/activities:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Upsilon Chapter
• Cornell in Washington
• Cornell University Ambassador
• Cornell Tradition Fellowship
• Olin Library student employee

Additional information:

Valisha is an executive director at JPMorgan Chase and has spent most of her career in leadership roles in fintech product management. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she entered Cornell after graduating from Suffield Academy where she was an A Better Chance Scholar and has been a trustee since 1988. Education is her passion. She co-founded AACEP (African American Cultural Enrichment Program) with two fellow Cornellians and is a guest lecturer on fintech at leading business schools. She also helped launch EDIT (Enhancing Diversity in Technology), the first Wall Street forum aimed at advancing the careers of Black and Latino technologists.