Johnna Powell, DTCC Managing Director and Head of Technology, Research and Innovation, was recently honored on the World Federation of Exchanges’ (WFE) fifth annual Women Leaders list.
The initiative celebrates the exceptional contributions of women working within market infrastructures around the world, highlighting their leadership and contribution to the industry.
“I am thrilled to be included on this list of distinguished leaders,” said Powell. “I try to make a regular practice of encouraging aspiring women leaders to embrace their unique perspectives and pursue opportunities with passion. Everyone’s voice matters, and it is important to advocate for oneself and others. True leadership is about enabling others to succeed, leading with integrity and developing environments where innovation and collaboration thrive.”
At DTCC, Powell drives external and internal innovation across the firm, focused on advancing DTCC’s innovation initiatives, conducting research on emerging technologies, developing proofs of concept, driving new products from proof of concept (POC) to production, developing and growing academic and industry partnerships and enhancing client engagement through thought leadership. She also serves on the boards of Fnality International and Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust.
Prior to DTCC, Powell was Global Co-Head of Consensys NFT, where she and her team spearheaded high-profile NFT products and projects, having launched a platform with leading brands including Sports Illustrated, LVMH, Prada, Estee Lauder and many more. She also led Consensys’ U.S. Professional Services practice, where she and her team launched digital asset issuance and management platforms in partnership with multiple global financial institutions. Prior to Consensys, she served as an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company, focusing on corporate strategy and go-to-market optimization for Fortune 100 companies.
Powell holds a PhD from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, where she was a Presidential Fellow.
This year's Women Leaders list features 20 women who are “instrumental in shaping the future of global financial markets”.
Nandini Sukumar, WFE CEO, said, "We are delighted to highlight these brilliant women and recognize their significant contributions to our industry. Their leadership, dedication, and vision are instrumental in shaping the future of global financial markets. We congratulate those who made the list this year, as well as all applicants who should be proud of their vast achievements and the work they are doing to nurture the next cohort of women leaders."
Read more about the WFE Women Leaders List.