Kristin White’s career is a remarkable testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of excellence. From her early days working in her family’s Italian bakeries in Massachusetts to her pivotal role as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fidelity Brokerage, White has built a career that spans across industries, leadership roles, and a broad array of business units. Today, as the CFO of Fidelity Brokerage, White is integral to driving growth, innovation, and financial stability in one of the world’s leading investment management firms.
In an exclusive interview with Traders Magazine, White opens up about her career, the milestones that shaped her journey, and her approach to leadership and innovation in the financial industry. She speaks candidly about the challenges and opportunities that have come her way, and shares invaluable insights for aspiring leaders, especially women, looking to navigate their careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like finance.
A Humble Start: The Bakeries of Massachusetts
Kristin White’s journey began in the small, bustling kitchens of her family’s Italian bakeries in Massachusetts. Her early life was shaped by the hustle and bustle of the bakery business, a place where the aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries was a constant presence. From an early age, White worked alongside her father, learning the ins and outs of running a family-owned business. This hands-on experience was her introduction to hard work, responsibility, and the dedication required to succeed in a competitive business environment.
“I grew up working in my family’s business,” White says. “I worked there as a kid, going to the bakery early with my dad, and continued working there during holidays and weekends throughout college. After I graduated, I spent six years there.”
During her time in the family business, White experienced first-hand the challenges and rewards of managing multiple aspects of a business. The bakery was not just about making delicious pastries and bread—it was about managing people, customers, and resources. White’s time in the bakery allowed her to become intimately familiar with the end-to-end workings of a small business.
“My family grew the business from one store to four stores with 150 employees,” White recalls. “I also pursued my MBA at night while working at the bakery during the day. It was a lot of work, but it was a valuable experience that helped shape my perspective on business.”
This experience instilled in her an “owner mindset”—the understanding that every part of the business, from leasing to HR to customer service, needed attention and care. It was this mindset that would serve as a strong foundation as she transitioned into the corporate world.
A Journey into the Corporate World
After spending years working in the family bakery, White took the next step in her career and began exploring corporate opportunities. She entered a few roles in various industries, gaining exposure to different business models, strategies, and management techniques. However, her transition into the corporate world was far from linear. The lessons she learned in the bakery, including a deep sense of ownership and accountability, proved invaluable as she navigated her way through various corporate positions.
Eventually, White found her way to Fidelity, a global leader in financial services, where she would spend the next 18 years shaping the future of the company. Her journey at Fidelity began in an entry-level position but quickly expanded as she gained exposure to multiple business units and leadership teams.
White worked across many of Fidelity’s departments, including insurance, enterprise strategy, and retail distribution. Each role brought new challenges and opportunities, helping her to gain a deeper understanding of the business and what it takes to thrive in the fast-paced world of finance.
“My time at Fidelity has been a fantastic learning experience,” White says. “I had the opportunity to work in areas that I didn’t know much about at the time, like insurance and enterprise strategy. It was a steep learning curve, but it gave me a broad perspective on how a large, complex organization operates. That foundation was incredibly helpful when I eventually became the CFO of Fidelity’s Capital Markets division.”
The Role of CFO at Fidelity Brokerage
White’s career trajectory at Fidelity culminated in her appointment as the CFO of Fidelity Brokerage. This was a significant milestone, both for White and for the company. As CFO, White was tasked with overseeing the financial health of one of the largest and most influential brokerage firms in the world. But rather than seeing this role as an endpoint, White viewed it as another opportunity to continue learning and innovating.
In this role, she has been at the forefront of Fidelity’s growth and innovation in the brokerage industry. Under her leadership, Fidelity Brokerage has not only experienced significant financial growth but has also pushed the boundaries of what it means to serve customers in an ever-changing financial landscape.
“Fidelity Brokerage has grown significantly in recent years,” White says. “One of the key strategies I’ve implemented as CFO is making sure our teams understand the broader business strategy and how their work aligns with that strategy. If you can make sure everyone understands the ‘why’ behind the decisions we’re making, they’re better positioned to help drive the business forward.”
For White, it’s all about fostering an environment where innovation and accountability go hand-in-hand. She has worked tirelessly to create a culture where employees feel empowered to take ownership of their work and think critically about how they can contribute to the company’s long-term success.
Leadership Philosophy and Approach
One of the defining characteristics of White’s leadership style is her focus on people. As a leader, she believes it’s crucial to recognize that people have the ability to grow and change. She strives to create an environment where her team members can learn from their mistakes, showcase their growth, and continue to develop their skills.
“As a leader, it’s critical to remember that people can (and do!) change, and they deserve the opportunity to demonstrate that,” White explains. “I’ve found that we tend to remember only certain parts of our interactions with somebody, whether negative or positive. But your original perspective of someone shouldn’t be something that clouds your future interactions with them. Especially as a leader, you should give people the opportunity to show that they’ve grown or changed.”
White’s approach to leadership is rooted in her belief that strong, open communication is key to fostering a positive work environment. She encourages her team to have candid conversations about their challenges, successes, and opportunities for growth. As someone who has benefited from mentorship throughout her career, White is also committed to providing guidance and support to the next generation of leaders within Fidelity.
Challenges of Being a Female Leader in Finance
As a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry, White has faced her fair share of challenges. However, she attributes much of her success to the opportunities she was given at Fidelity and the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“I’ve been fortunate to have built my career at Fidelity, which is a place with a diverse group of leaders and plenty of opportunity,” White says. “I would suggest to anyone looking to be a leader to find a company that shares your values and has a culture that fits your goals and leadership style. Fidelity has a long history of innovation, customer obsession, doing the right thing, and maintaining a long-term view—values that resonate with me deeply.”
For women aspiring to leadership roles in finance, White offers practical advice: set goals, make a plan, and don’t be afraid to take risks. She emphasizes the importance of stretching oneself by seeking new opportunities, learning from mistakes, and advocating for one’s career advancement.
“My advice to women looking to be leaders in the financial industry is to set goals and make a plan to achieve those goals,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to pursue new areas if they could help you get closer to your goals. And make sure to advocate for yourself. Actively manage and seek out your next move, looking for the opportunities that will help you grow.”
Cultivating a Culture of Innovation at Fidelity
As CFO, White plays a critical role in cultivating a culture of innovation and accountability at Fidelity. She believes that by fostering an environment where employees feel pride and ownership in their work, the company can push the boundaries of what’s possible in the brokerage industry.
“Innovation and accountability go hand-in-hand,” White explains. “When associates feel pride of ownership for their work, we can think bigger and look forward to identifying opportunities to innovate and improve our business.”
At Fidelity, leaders are encouraged to spend time with employees across all levels of the organization. This creates a shared understanding of how individual work aligns with the company’s broader strategy, ensuring that the entire organization is working toward common goals. White’s leadership philosophy is built on the idea that employees at all levels should feel connected to the company’s vision and be empowered to drive change.
Looking Toward the Future
Looking ahead, White is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in the brokerage industry. She sees the pace of change accelerating in the coming years, driven by technological advancements, new investment opportunities, and shifting market dynamics.
“The pace of change in how traders access markets and invest over the last two decades has been unparalleled,” she says. “I expect this will continue. My colleagues and I at Fidelity will continue to listen to and understand the needs of our customers as they navigate new investing opportunities and faster access to information.”
As Fidelity continues to grow, White remains focused on staying customer-obsessed. She spends hours each month engaging with customers directly, gaining insights into their needs and how Fidelity can better serve them. She encourages her team to do the same, believing that staying close to the customer is key to staying ahead of industry trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kristin White?
Kristin White is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fidelity Brokerage, a division of Fidelity Investments. She plays a key role in driving financial strategy, innovation, and long-term growth within the organization.
What is Kristin White’s professional background?
Kristin began her career working in her family’s Italian bakeries in Massachusetts, where she helped grow the business from one store to four. She later transitioned into corporate roles and has worked at Fidelity for nearly two decades, holding leadership positions across several business units before becoming CFO.
How did working in a family business shape her leadership style?
Working in a small business gave Kristin an “owner mindset,” teaching her to think end-to-end about business operations. It also instilled in her a deep sense of accountability, adaptability, and an appreciation for hands-on leadership.
What roles has Kristin held at Fidelity?
Kristin has held a variety of roles across Fidelity’s business units, including insurance, enterprise strategy, and retail distribution. She also served as CFO of Fidelity’s Capital Markets division before stepping into her current role as CFO of Fidelity Brokerage.
How does Kristin approach leadership and team development?
Kristin emphasizes empathy, accountability, and the belief that people can grow and evolve. She advocates for giving team members space to demonstrate growth and encourages leaders to stay open-minded about their teams’ potential.
What strategies has she implemented to drive growth at Fidelity Brokerage?
Kristin focuses on aligning team efforts with the broader business strategy, encouraging data-driven decisions, and maintaining a customer-first mindset. She prioritizes transparency and communication to ensure all teams understand their role in achieving company goals.
What advice does Kristin have for women aspiring to leadership in finance?
Kristin encourages women to set clear goals, seek opportunities for growth, and take calculated risks. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, mentorship, and finding a company whose values align with your own.
How does Fidelity support innovation under Kristin’s leadership?
Kristin fosters a culture of ownership and innovation by encouraging associates to think big and stay connected to Fidelity’s broader mission. She promotes collaboration between finance and business leaders to drive strategic, customer-focused decision-making.
What is Kristin focused on as she continues to grow in her career?
Kristin is committed to lifelong learning, staying close to customers, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. She regularly joins customer calls to hear feedback firsthand and encourages her team to do the same.
Conclusion
Throughout her career, Kristin White has demonstrated a commitment to growth—both personally and professionally. Whether she was learning the ropes of the bakery business, navigating the corporate world, or driving innovation at Fidelity, White has always sought opportunities to learn and develop as a leader.
As she continues to evolve in her role as CFO of Fidelity Brokerage, White remains focused on mentoring future leaders, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring that Fidelity stays ahead of the curve in an ever-changing financial landscape. Her journey from bakery worker to CFO is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
