Meeting Courtney Smith Goodrich - Integrity, clarity, and long-term thinking
It’s a crisp morning in Philadelphia. The sidewalks are busy with commuters and early risers heading to work. I duck into a small café near Rittenhouse Square, the kind of place where the music is low, and the coffee strong.
I’m here to meet Courtney Smith Goodrich.
She’s led transformation efforts across two of the most complex banks in the world. She was COO of Global Technology at JPMorgan, with over 45,000 technologists and a $9 billion budget.
Later at Wells Fargo, she became Chief Administrative Officer of Consumer Lending — a $15 billion business with more than 40,000 employees. In that role, she led cross-functional operations, delivered over $1.5 billion in savings, and met every business and regulatory deadline
But she doesn’t lead with titles.
She arrives in a wool coat, calm and warm, and greets me like we’ve known each other for years.
We sit by the window. The barista brings brings an espresso for me, and an ice water with lemon for Courtney. I take a sip of my coffee and ask where this all began.
“Did you always want a career in financial services?”
She smiles. “I didn’t even want a career in technology,” she says. “I just needed to pay rent.” She tells me about her internship at JPMorgan. “There I saw how technology could solve big problems. It hooked me.”
“What has guided you since?”
“I’m drawn to challenges that need clarity. When things feel messy or high-stakes, that’s where I do my best work.” She takes a sip of her drink. “I’ve learned how to bring calm. I help people move forward with purpose.”
“What do people come to you for?”
“They’ll say I simplify the complex,” she says. “Whether it’s a regulatory issue, a cultural shift, or a major business or technology change — I can see the path, and I know how to explain it.”
“How do you lead in high-pressure moments?”
“I’ve made decisions in real time — sometimes with incomplete data, and always with big consequences. It’s about judgment. It’s about timing. And it’s about how you communicate.” And also how you bring people together to solve a common problem.
“What shaped your leadership style?”
She leans back. “I grew up in a home with tension. You learn to read tone. You learn to pay attention to what’s not said. That awareness has stayed with me. I lead by listening. I bring people along by making space for them and respecting them.”
“How do you think about diversity?”
“For me, it’s personal. And it’s practical,” she says. “I’ve seen diverse teams outperform. Inclusion improves outcomes — it’s not a nice-to-have. It’s essential.”
“What’s next for you?”
I’m focused on a senior leadership role… but also open for board service,” she says with quiet conviction. “I want to bring what I’ve learned — across strategy, risk, culture, and operations — to organizations navigating change. I’m looking for companies that value integrity, clarity, and long-term thinking. That’s where I can add the most.”
The café begins to fill. She finishes her coffee. We stand to leave.
She doesn’t speak in slogans or buzzwords. She speaks in real experience, clear thinking, and steady leadership. The kind you want at the table when the stakes are high and the path ahead is unclear.
Maarten Schafer
Chief Storyteller CoolBrands
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn
