Her Story
About Ciara B.
Ciara B. Pierce is a finance leader whose career spans investment banking, corporate finance, and now media and entertainment. She currently serves as Finance Lead for NFL Films, the league's storied production arm based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, where she oversees financial operations supporting acclaimed documentaries such as Hard Knocks, the organization's extensive media archive, and its broader engineering, sponsorship, and broadcast functions. With more than sixteen years in the field, Ciara built her early foundation at JPMorgan Chase and Barclays while completing her MBA, gaining hands-on experience in both Delaware and New York before pivoting toward corporate finance roles that offered a wider lens on business strategy. That shift took her through Comcast's corporate treasury and FP&A teams, where she supported community investment and philanthropic initiatives, and later into investor relations at SiriusXM, advertising finance at Amazon, and strategic finance leadership for Comcast's Xumo streaming joint venture.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Ciara has distinguished herself as a mentor and advocate for the next generation of finance professionals. Since 2021, she has led the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Black MBA Association as President, having previously served as its Vice President of Finance, and has been an active member of the organization since 2011. Her volunteer work reflects a broader commitment to opening doors for others, whether through mentoring aspiring professionals, connecting them with career opportunities, or organizing networking events that bring major companies together with rising talent. She also shares her expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Rowan University, where she has taught undergraduate and graduate coursework in financial management and decision-making since 2019, further extending her influence beyond the corporate world and into the classroom.
At the core of Ciara's leadership style are empathy, emotional intelligence, and a deep sense of self-awareness, values she credits in large part to the enduring influence of her late father, whose quiet confidence and perseverance shaped her own approach to leading with humility rather than seeking recognition. Her career path, though never rigidly planned, has been defined by a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities across investment banking, technology, media, and professional sports. That openness ultimately brought her full circle to the NFL, the very organization where she once interned as a student, and where she now applies years of cross-industry expertise to help guide the financial strategy of one of the league's most iconic media businesses. Holding both a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Stockton University and an MBA in Finance and Management from Rutgers University–Camden, Ciara continues to build a legacy defined not only by professional achievement, but by the meaningful impact she creates for the people and communities around her.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ciara B.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying open to unexpected opportunities rather than following a rigid, predetermined plan. Each move in my career — from investment banking into corporate treasury, FP&A, investor relations, and strategic finance — was driven by curiosity and a desire to broaden my impact rather than simply advance. That willingness to explore, combined with the encouragement of mentors and the unwavering confidence my late father instilled in me, gave me the courage to pursue paths I may not have otherwise considered.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received came from my late father, who consistently encouraged me to believe in myself, especially in moments of self-doubt. He never let me settle for less than my potential — he challenged me to aim higher because he always believed I was capable of more. He also taught me, through his own example as a quiet, humble leader, that true leadership isn't about seeking recognition. It's about stepping forward when an opportunity to serve presents itself, and leading with authenticity and impact rather than visibility.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd encourage anyone starting out in finance to really explore and talk to people in different areas of the field, because finance is not one-dimensional. Speak with someone in investor relations, an equity analyst on Wall Street, someone in banking operations, or someone in financial planning and analysis — there are so many layers, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate development, business development, and even nonprofit finance. I'd also evaluate any opportunity through three lenses: does the company's mission or product genuinely excite and inspire you; does the compensation support both your immediate needs and long-term goals; and does the role allow you the balance to manage your family, personal life, and work life together. Many people don't realize how many different opportunities exist — even at organizations like the NFL or NFL Films — so raising awareness of those possibilities, and simply staying curious and networking early on, is some of the most valuable advice I can offer.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I've faced recently has been balancing professional growth with personal resilience. Shortly after returning to Comcast in 2024, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and I found myself stepping into a demanding leadership role while simultaneously becoming his caregiver. I eventually took a leave of absence to care for him and for myself, and after his passing, I intentionally stepped back to heal and redefine what success meant to me in that new chapter. That period of reflection unexpectedly led me back to the NFL, the organization where my career first began as an intern. Beyond my corporate role, I see a real opportunity in developing future leaders — through my work as President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Black MBA Association, I've focused on advancing Black business professionals through leadership development, entrepreneurship, education, and career opportunities, and on helping connect people with mentors, sponsorships, and networks they might not otherwise access.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness are at the center of everything I do. Before I accept a speaking engagement, leadership role, or new opportunity, I ask myself whether it aligns with my values and serves a greater purpose — recognition alone has never been my motivation. I'm far more inspired by opportunities that encourage others or show what's possible for someone following a similar path. I also never want to get so busy that I forget the people who've supported me along the way — remembering names, making people feel seen, and treating everyone with respect regardless of title matters deeply to me. That extends to how I navigate relationships generally: rather than rushing to judgment, I try to reflect on my own actions and consider how my words or decisions may have landed on someone else, because I believe empathy begins with self-awareness, and that's essential to building trust and leading with integrity.
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