Marcy Tothill Vance
For more than two decades, Marcy has been the steady force behind some of the most complex transformations in global finance and the insurance industries. Marcy Vance most recently served as an Operations Manager for the past 6 years, utilizing more than four decades of leadership experience across the insurance and banking industries. Her background spans global trading, regulatory compliance, investment asset management, financial reporting, performance measurement, and commercial lines insurance. Throughout her career, Marcy has been recognized for successfully leading large-scale, complex global technology programs with direct accountability to senior leadership, consistently delivering high-impact results in critically regulated environments. Marcy served in senior program and project management roles at major financial institutions including MetLife, JPMorgan Chase, AIG, Deutsche Bank, and Prudential Investment Advisors. At JPMorgan Chase, she was a key member of a team that implemented a highly complex Dodd-Frank regulatory technology program that unified 17 technology teams and 60 applications within the Collateral Operations unit to implement compliance rules governing billions of dollars in credit default swaps. While at MetLife, she spearheaded strategic initiatives including the integration of Logan Circle Partners’ $40B asset portfolio into the firm’s trading ecosystem and led a major outsourcing initiative of middle office trading functions to BNY Mellon. A certified Scrum Master through Scrum Alliance, Marcy applies Agile and Scrum of Scrums frameworks to drive efficiency, collaboration, and accountability across matrixed teams. Marcy holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics, Summa Cum Laude, from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition to her corporate leadership, she serves as a Board Member for the Scotsgrove Non-Profit Foundation in South Carolina. Known for her integrity, relationship-building, and results-driven leadership, Marcy has built a reputation so strong that much of her 40-year career has been fueled by trusted professional referrals—an enduring testament to the impact of her work and the strength of her professional network.
• Scrum Master Certified
• Agile Scrum Master Certified
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• BS in Finance and Economics - Summa Cum Laude
• Gamma Lambda Chaper of Delta Mu Delta
• Phi Omega Epsilon Honorary Society-National Honor Society of Business Adminstration
• Scotsgrove Non-Profit Foundation Board Member
• - Equestrian Riding School located in Inman, South Carolina
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to powering through and doing the hard work! These were highly complicated systems that I worked on, and I attribute the successful delivery and execution of these projects to being a team player, focusing on relationship building and getting the job done! It's about executing and showing up every day with a purpose and getting the ball over the line. I could be team player while making a big difference in these corporations' transformative programs and the significant deliverables associated with them. I built relationships with incredibly bright, smart people, and those relationships have lasted throughout my career. That's why I have been able to work for 40 years and only interview maybe 3 times due to my professional network. I built my reputation and proven track record on integrity, trust, and the courage to take on the work that truly matters. My brand is based on these simple values: Put Customers First, Make Things Easier and Succeed Together. I am proof that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to be powerful. Sometimes the most influential woman in the room is the one quietly building the foundation on which everyone else will stand on.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You do not always have to reach for the limelight. You must show up, be present, work alongside your team members and execute. By contributing and being a key member of a highly successful team, you can make a big difference in these corporation's transformative programs. Go about your business with honesty, clarity, clear goals and execution. That's what's important!
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Embrace AI! Be on the forefront and become experts in the AI and Cybersecurity technological fields. Take your project management courses and get your certifications. I learned how to do my roles on the job by observing and performing the various tasks demanded for each role. Utilizing my street smarts while performing my job, contributed to my longevity and success. Continued education is very important to remain on the forefront of technology, especially in the areas of Cybersecurity and, of course, AI.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think it's easier for women now than it was when I first started. I was on the leading edge of being pregnant and having a child while working. I worked at the very inception of women in technology. I think there are plenty of project management opportunities out there from what I can see. Two big sectors for opportunities would be Cybersecurity and AI. Like anything else in technology, AI is going to have its advantages and inevitable disadvantages. That's true for any technological innovation. The challenges I've faced throughout my career were working on large, highly complex systems and projects. You must be adept at navigating the politics and often unrealistic delivery timelines. You're operating in high-pressure, fast-paced environments and are expected to deliver within tight schedules. You must be up to challenge!
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, and building lasting relationships have been a big part of my life and my career. I was able to work with incredibly bright, smart people and build relationships with them that still last to this day. Those lasting relationships were so important and resulted in my career longevity. Once I made my "mark," and my contract or assignment ended, I could contact a former colleague and ask if they needed help, and they'd say "Absolutely, come on over!" I also value hard work, being persistent and not giving up. And most of all, believe in yourself! We are all whole, worthy and powerful!
