Patricia David

Patricia David led targeted initiatives to drive firmwide strategies for JPMorgan Chase & Co. for seven years, heading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across four global regions. Prior to that, she was managing director and the global head of diversity for Citi’s Institutional Clients Group. 

David is a DEI leader of the highest caliber. She is recognized globally for her acumen in effective corporate DEI strategies in the finance industry. In honor of her academic and professional accomplishments, in 2015, the Gabelli School of Business (GSB) started annually recognizing one female graduating senior for dedication to inclusiveness in the business world with the Patricia David Trailblazer Award. In 2016, David received her Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from GSB for recognition of her life’s work and dedication to diversity and inclusion. She now serves on GSB’s advisory board and works closely with the dean and DEI director to advise on the school’s DEI strategy. She was the inaugural recipient of the school’s esteemed Belonging Award for DEI in corporate leadership.

David has provided strategic advice on a wide range of diversity topics impacting the work environment. At JPMorgan Chase, she was an instrumental leader across diversity and talent management efforts, including diversity councils, business resource groups, and management training. Further, she was a driving force in launching the Advancing Black Leaders diversity strategy and Office of Disability Inclusion at the company. David brought a passion and personal touch to her work that colleagues at all levels across the firm truly valued. In 2020, she joined the board of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. Now, David extends herself to GSB not only through her philanthropy but also by working directly with a wide range of DEI unit leaders.

For over 10 years, David has led large-group diversity education sessions for first-year students of the Gabelli School and has met with small, diverse groups to support their student experience. Additionally, her most recent gift to GSB will help fund a high school pipeline program, giving students in New York City who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color increased access to the school.

At this juncture in her career, David is focused on helping individuals who want to maximize their potential but are unsure where to start. As a professional coach, diversity consultant, mentor, and keynote speaker, she provides guidance related to situational circumstances and gives unscripted advice and counsel to professionals and companies. She has since written a book titled The 'Her'Story of Davidisms: My Straight-Shooting Answers to 30 Years of Career Questions People Have Asked Me.