Lisa Caputo
Lisa Caputo | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, communications officer, television commentator, public speaker |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | Executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at The Travelers Companies, Inc.; executive vice president of global marketing and corporate affairs at Citigroup; press secretary to First Lady Hillary Clinton |
| Notable work | Founder of Women & Co. initiative at Citigroup; television political analyst for NBC and MSNBC |
Lisa Caputo holds the position of executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at The Travelers Companies, Inc., having joined the organization on June 1, 2011. She participates on both the Management and Operating Committees as well as the Travelers Foundation Board. Caputo is responsible for directing marketing, branding, research, corporate communications, customer experience, and creative services, working in close partnership with investor relations and government affairs teams.
Prior to her tenure at Travelers, she was the executive vice president of global marketing and corporate affairs at Citigroup, where from 2000 to 2010 she established, chaired, and led Citi's Women & Co. initiative. She was a member of Citi’s senior leadership committee and co-led the Women's Initiative.
Caputo's background also includes more than ten years in public service, notably as Deputy Assistant to President Bill Clinton and Press Secretary to First Lady Hillary Clinton during the administration’s initial term. Additionally, she is recognized as a television commentator and public speaker focusing on political and current affairs.
Education
Caputo earned her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and French from Brown University, graduating magna cum laude. She further obtained a master’s degree in Journalism with highest honors from Northwestern University.
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Since her appointment in 2011 as executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at The Travelers Companies, Inc., Caputo has directed initiatives across marketing, research, branding, corporate communications, creative services, and customer experience. She holds seats on the company’s Management and Operating Committees as well as the Travelers Foundation Board. Among her achievements are launching Travelers’ social media platforms, introducing the Travelers Risk Index, and forging digital partnerships to strengthen the company’s market presence.
Citigroup
During her role as executive vice president of Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Citi, Caputo oversaw integrated marketing efforts, corporate communications, and community relations strategies. She managed a workforce of approximately 600 employees alongside a global media budget exceeding $2 billion. Caputo spearheaded the corporate rebranding from Citigroup to Citi—including negotiating the sale of the red umbrella logo to Travelers—and directed Citi’s corporate brand advertising campaigns. Citi continues to be a foremost global financial services brand with significant consumer recognition.
Women & Co.
Upon joining Citi, Caputo founded Women & Co., a membership-based business designed to meet women’s unique financial needs. The program provides personalized financial consultations, exclusive discounts, and educational materials tailored to various life stages. Under her leadership, Women & Co. evolved from an initial concept into a profitable enterprise with members managing assets surpassing $30 billion at Citi.
Citigroup Global Consumer Group
Caputo held the position of Senior Managing Director for Business Operations and Planning within Citi's Global Consumer Group. Her responsibilities included community relations, public affairs, internal communications, executive communications, and oversight of the Office of Financial Education. Serving as Chief of Staff to the Global Consumer Group CEO, she collaborated closely with senior executives to formulate growth strategies and coordinate efforts across divisions. At the CEO’s request, she also crafted a strategic plan and organizational framework for the Citi Foundation to better direct its philanthropic initiatives.
Disney Publishing Worldwide
Before her tenure at Citi, Caputo held the position of Vice President of Global Communications and Synergy at Disney Publishing Worldwide from 1998 to 1999. In this capacity, she managed communications, publicity efforts, and collaborative promotions, ensuring that marketing and advertising strategies were harmonized to maintain uniform brand messaging. As the publishing division of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Publishing Worldwide engages over 50 million readers each month in 37 different languages across more than 100 countries, establishing itself as a dominant force in the global children's publishing market.
CBS Corporation
Caputo transitioned to Disney following her role as Vice President of Corporate Communications at CBS Corporation between 1996 and 1998. During her time at CBS, she directed media relations, special initiatives, and public affairs spanning management, operational business units, and program publicity. She was also responsible for overseeing the CBS/TIME millennium symposium project, which involved producing a series of television programs broadcast nationally.
Television
In addition to her responsibilities at Citi, Caputo is active as a television commentator and public speaker focusing on politics and current affairs. She has contributed to O Magazine and served as a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC during recent presidential election cycles. Her television experience also includes work as a contributing editor for George magazine and co-hosting roles on CNN's Crossfire as well as CNBC and MSNBC’s Equal Time.
Political career
Following graduate studies, Caputo embarked on a career in government roles inspired by a college professor's influence. She began as national issues press secretary for the Dukakis-Bentsen presidential campaign in 1988, then worked as press secretary for Senator Tim Wirth of Colorado and Representative Bob Traxler of Michigan. In 1992, she led media operations for Al Gore at the Democratic National Convention. After the Clinton-Gore campaign, Caputo became Hillary Clinton’s press secretary at age 27, acting as chief spokesperson responsible for communications on behalf of the First Lady and First Family. From 1993 through 1996, she also served as deputy assistant to President Bill Clinton. Later, she was a senior advisor during Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid and regularly appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets providing commentary on both the 2008 and 2016 presidential elections.
Organizations
Caputo holds board membership with Best Buy Co., Inc., participating on its Nominating and Governance Committee as well as the Compensation Committee. Her board affiliations extend to The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program, WNET Channel 13, New Visions for Public Schools, and the Creative Coalition. She is also part of the Reuters Editorial Advisory Board; Brown University’s Media Relations advisory council; Northwestern University’s Medill School board of advisors; New York Restoration Project Chairman’s Council; and New York Presbyterian Sloane Hospital Advisory Committee. Furthermore, Caputo contributes to the Brookings Institution's Public Sector Leadership Initiative Advisory Board and holds memberships with the Council on Foreign Relations, the Economic Club of New York, and the Financial Women's Association.
Awards and honors
Caputo has been honored with numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, such as the AWNY Advertising Woman of the Year and inclusion among Ad Age's Advertising Women to Watch. She received the NYWICI Matrix Award for outstanding communication achievements and was recognized as Direct Marketing International Woman of the Year. Additionally, The World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader. Her accomplishments also earned her a spot on Crain's New York Business "40 under 40" list, and she has been acknowledged as one of the most influential women in New York.
In 2011, Caputo was awarded the distinguished NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, celebrating 25 years of exceptional professional accomplishments since her college graduation, joining an elite group with honorees like Bo Jackson and Joe Girardi. Later, in 2016, PRWeek inducted her into their Hall of Fame in recognition of her impactful contributions to the communications field.
Personal life
Caputo lives in New York City with her spouse and their two children.