Enabling Business Transformation Via AI

As Managing Director in the Integration Management Office at Charles Schwab, James is responsible for leading the conversion of TD Ameritrade accounts to Schwab.  In the Integration Management Office, James partners across all corporate areas, business lines and support functions to deliver the necessary projects, processes, and platforms in support of the Integration of the two firms. Previously, Kostulias was the Head of Retail Experience at TD Ameritrade, where he was responsible for the execution of the firm’s Retail Strategy, Client Experience, Digital Platforms, Learning and Development, Client Segmentation and LEAN Strategy. Prior to that, he served as Head of eCommerce, leading the digital strategy for web, mobile, social media, market data, and research, after holding TD Ameritrade’s Chief Information Officer position overseeing technology relationship management and project delivery for all business units.  

Kostulias has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and has spent more than 19 of those years with TD Ameritrade/Charles Schwab across their Retail, Technology, and Active Trader businesses. He’s held a variety of leadership roles within the organization, including leading the TD Ameritrade and Scottrade Integration where he was responsible for all aspects of integration planning, strategy and execution, balancing four million client accounts to the penny.  Prior to joining TD Ameritrade, Kostulias was with Datek Online where he held a variety of Operational Management Positions and with Moody’s Investor Services, where he designed and implemented a Global Senior Credit Analyst Professional Development Training Program. 

Kostulias was the President of the Wall Street Technology Association from 2016-2022, previously sat on the FINRA Technology Advisory Committee, and is a graduate of the SIFMA Securities Institute Program at Wharton. Kostulias holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University and Series 4, 7, 24 and 63, licenses. 

John Burke is CTO with Nemertes Research. He conducts and analyzes primary research in, and advises key enterprise and vendor clients on, hybrid cloud, software-defined networking including SD-WAN, automation, and DevOps. As a research analyst and consultant, he draws on his 30 years of experience as a practitioner and leader in IT to better understand the needs of IT executives and the challenges facing vendors trying to sell to them. His experience has given him broad and deep knowledge in computing, communications, and IT management. Mr. Burke holds an MA in the history of science and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, both from The Johns Hopkins University. His interests include baking, birding, and beer.

Financial services firms have been deploying AI ahead of effective governance. Nemertes’ Chief Technology Officer, John E. Burke, shares his insights on how best to ‘close the gap’ between what’s happening in development and what financial firms must do to conform to regulatory and business requirements around the use of AI.

This panel of industry all-stars shares their insight and wisdom on strategies and tactics that actually work when it comes to AI implementation, management, value realization, and governance.

John Burke is CTO with Nemertes Research. He conducts and analyzes primary research in, and advises key enterprise and vendor clients on, hybrid cloud, software-defined networking including SD-WAN, automation, and DevOps. As a research analyst and consultant, he draws on his 30 years of experience as a practitioner and leader in IT to better understand the needs of IT executives and the challenges facing vendors trying to sell to them. His experience has given him broad and deep knowledge in computing, communications, and IT management. Mr. Burke holds an MA in the history of science and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, both from The Johns Hopkins University. His interests include baking, birding, and beer.

Joe is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer for Wealth Management Americas. In this capacity, he is responsible creating business value from our data and analytics assets which includes responsibility for our data platforms, data management office, regulatory reporting, MIS, and advanced analytics / STAAT.

He joined UBS Global Research in 2014 as the Head of Client Analytics & CRM before becoming CTO of UBS Evidence Lab.

Joe earned his Computer Science degree from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. Prior to joining UBS, Joe led Analytics and CRM related technology areas at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch.

Ranjit Samra is the Head of Technology for J.P. Morgan Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase (JPMC). Ranjit oversees technology for the U.S. wealth management division, including Chase Wealth Management, J.P. Morgan Advisors, J.P. Morgan Online Investing and J.P. Morgan Personal Advisors. Leading a global team of over 1,000 technologists, Ranjit drives technology infrastructure, innovation and modernization for wealth management products to deliver fully integrated digital client and Advisor experiences across all channels. Ranjit is a member of the Consumer & Community Banking (CCB) Technology Leadership Team and the U.S. Wealth Management Leadership Team.

Ranjit joined JPMC in March 2018, as the Head of Controls, Legal and Regulatory Technology in Corporate Technology. Before joining JPMC, Ranjit was the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Corporate Services Technology at Credit Suisse (2016 to 2018). Prior to that, Ranjit was at Morgan Stanley for 23 years, where he was promoted to Managing Director in 2010.

Ranjit is an experienced CIO with over 30 years of global financial services experience developing software solutions across a broad spectrum of businesses including Wealth Management (2020 to present; 2010 to 2015), Corporate Functions (2016 to 2019), Commercial Real Estate Investing and Private Equity (2006 to 2008), Equity Research Analytics (2005), Global Custody and Prime Brokerage (1992 to 2003). Ranjit also successfully established ‘start-up’ Technology Centers for Morgan Stanley in Mumbai (2003) and Montreal (2008). He is a highly entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record to build and motivate high performing teams, develop strong business partnerships and lead large application development teams through modern engineering practices and digital transformational programs. Ranjit is passionate about developing leaders and has served as a senior mentor throughout his career.

Ranjit earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from City University and a Master of Business Administration from Cass Business School, both in London, U.K. Ranjit has lived and worked in six global cities: London, Luxembourg, Zurich, New York, Mumbai and Montreal.

Ranjit and his family have resided in Stamford, Conn. since 1997, where he is the Treasurer of his local neighborhood Association. Ranjit has served his local community as a member of the Council of Trustees for the Sikh Temple in Norwalk over the last 20 years and as a co-founder, administrator and teacher of the Sunday School program. Since 2020, Ranjit has served as the Chair of the NY/CT Regional Board of BuildOn, an organization that empowers youth from some of America’s most under-resourced high schools to build solidarity through service and make the world a better place for all. In 2018, Ranjit participated in a BuildOn Trek to build a school in Nepal and raised funds for the Robin Hood Foundation by running the NYC Marathon.

Christine Tu is the Head of AI, Knowledge Management and works from New York. She joined the Firm in June 2019 and was chartered to transform the Contact Center and AI enabled digital application. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, she worked at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America for over 20 years managing various technology platforms, including the largest IVR in the financial industry, and had experience building voice-enabled chatbot.

In her current role, Christine leads Generative AI for Wealth Management and the Firm. Leveraging GenAI and ML, her team developed flagship innovation applications and platforms for Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor to better service their clients. She now leads and focuses on applying latest advancement of GenAI to the firm level.