JPMorgan Chase Chair, Former Student, Shares Advice With Aggies

Few professionals can say they’ve been with the same company their entire career. But Gina Luna ’95, chairman of JPMorgan Chase in the Houston region, is an exception.

Luna has been with JPMorgan Chase since she graduated from Texas A&M in 1995. On her visit to Mays Business School, she had lunch with Business Honors students and shared how she has navigated such a large corporation for so many years. For more than 20 years, her willingness to plunge into new challenges and optimism about new relationships has guided her through positions in finance, recruiting, operations and marketing.

Luna leads the Middle Market Banking business and is active in recruiting, mentoring and leadership development within the organization. “I’ve held many challenging but rewarding roles at JPMorgan Chase,” Luna said, “Each one has taught me something new and has been a wonderful opportunity to build relationships.”

She believes the challenge is always worth it because of her coworkers. “Every day I get to work with such high-caliber, intelligent individuals.”

Her career with JPMorgan Chase started with a summer internship before her senior year of college. The next year she graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s of business administration degree with a double major in finance and management, and went to work full-time for JPMorgan Chase.

But Luna wouldn’t stay an analyst for long. Within a few years she was offered an opportunity to lead entry-level recruiting for the organization. “I had no experience in recruiting, but I remember it sounded like an interesting and unique opportunity.” Luna accepted the offer with enthusiasm and found that she really enjoyed building relationships with new recruits and colleagues across the Firm.

She later moved into a management role overseeing analysts and associates, many of whom she had recruited. Next she moved into leadership positions in investment banking and commercial banking. Prior to her current role, she was chief marketing officer for Chase Commercial Banking, for which she directed marketing and communications for the national commercial banking business.

When students asked how she was able to adapt to such diverse roles within the company, she said the key was to be open to what others might teach her. “I was often surrounded by people who had far more knowledge and experience than I did,” she said. “But I had to ask myself, ‘What can I learn from others in this situation?’”

Even in leadership, she prefers a consultative style. “I always try to involve others in the decision-making process. Even if the final decision is my responsibility, I value others’ contributions.”

Business Honors major Will Locke ’20 said he found the discussion extremely enjoyable. “I learned that crafting relationships in truly invaluable in the business world,” he said. “Not only do they provide you with meaningful friendships, they also provide excellent opportunities for advancement.”

Emily Clark ’20 said she was inspired to make some personal changes. “Going forward, I will make my values a priority and make an effort to develop relationships in school as well as my future career.”