Amex Names Jodi Richard Chief Risk Officer
Jodi Richard, currently vice chair and chief risk officer at US Bank, will take the role at American Express in January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
American Express appointed Jodi Richard as chief risk officer of American Express and American Express National Bank, effective January 25, 2027, succeeding Doug Tabish, who is moving into the role of president of Enterprise Shared Services.
Why it matters
The appointment places a risk executive with more than a decade at HSBC and over ten years at US Bank in charge of the company's global risk and compliance team. Richard will report directly to chairman and CEO Stephen J. Squeri, reflecting the senior weight of the role.
Tabish has spent more than 23 years at American Express and has served as chief risk officer since 2024, while Richard has held the vice chair and CRO role at US Bank since 2018. The filing-free internal note does not address how the transition will alter the company's risk structure.
The players
Jodi Richard
Richard is a senior risk executive who previously spent over a decade at HSBC before serving as vice chair and chief risk officer at US Bank.
Stephen J. Squeri
Squeri is the chairman and chief executive officer of American Express, to whom the new chief risk officer will report directly.
Doug Tabish
Tabish is an American Express veteran with more than 23 years at the company who is moving into the role of president of Enterprise Shared Services.
The details
Stephen J. Squeri announced the change in an internal note, stating Richard will lead the global risk organization to balance innovation, growth, and disciplined risk management. Denise Pickett is retiring in February 2027 after a 35-year career at American Express.
Timeline
2014: Richard joined US Bank after more than a decade at HSBC.
2018: Richard began as vice chair and chief risk officer at US Bank.
2024: Doug Tabish began serving as American Express chief risk officer.
January 25, 2027: Richard's appointment takes effect.
February 2027: Denise Pickett retires.
Market Landscape
The appointment continues a post-2008 pattern in which large U.S. financial institutions elevated chief risk officers to senior reporting lines directly under the CEO. Richard's move between US Bank and American Express reflects competition among large banks for experienced risk leadership.
For American Express customers and shareholders, the change signals continuity in risk oversight as the company moves its CRO under a direct reporting line to the CEO. The practical effect on products, fees, or account terms is not addressed in the announcement.
The takeaway
Leadership changes in risk functions often signal how a company intends to balance growth with oversight, and this appointment places a seasoned risk executive directly in front of the CEO. Readers tracking financial institutions can watch how the new structure shapes risk-related decisions after January 2027.
What happens next
Richard's appointment takes effect on January 25, 2027, and Denise Pickett retires in February 2027.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage for context on leadership moves across the business world.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FinTech Futures.
