Her Story
About Terri
Terri Mullan is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of Two Sigma, a prominent equity hedge fund headquartered in New York City, a position she has held since October 2019. Her career in finance spans nearly four decades, beginning in Manhattan in 1987 when she transitioned from a secretarial role into a trading assistant position. Over the years, she built an impressive track record supporting senior executives at some of the industry's most respected firms, including sixteen years at Goldman Sachs and seven and a half years at BlackRock, before stepping into her current role at Two Sigma. Along the way, she also gained valuable experience as an Executive Assistant at SAP and as Office Manager for Cross Lake Partners, further broadening her expertise in high-level administrative and executive support.
Despite building a demanding career, Terri returned to her studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts in U.S. History with a minor in Labor Studies from Queens College, graduating with a 3.95 GPA and receiving the Solomon Lutnick Prize for outstanding scholarship in American history. She went on to become a Certified Administrative Professional and further expanded her expertise through specialty certifications in Organizational Management, Human Resources, and Technology Applications. For Terri, education has never been confined to the classroom; she views continuous learning as a lifelong pursuit that directly strengthens her ability to lead and support others in her profession.
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Terri has emerged as a dedicated advocate for the administrative profession on a global scale. She has taken on numerous leadership roles within the International Association of Administrative Professionals, including re-establishing its New York City Metro branch, serving as Region Director for New York, New Jersey, and North Atlantic, and now serving as Chair-elect of the IAAP Foundation Board. She also serves as Communications Officer for the World Administrators Alliance, where she helps foster collaboration among administrative professionals across countries and cultures. Guided by a deep commitment to integrity and honest advocacy, Terri encourages others to take ownership of their careers, never stop learning, and recognize that administrative professionals are essential, strategic partners within any organization.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Terri
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my active involvement with IAAP over the past several years. Earning my CAP certification and taking on volunteer leadership roles has given me opportunities for growth that I've been able to carry directly into my work. Continuing my education and translating what I learn through the association into my professional life has strengthened both my confidence and my leadership abilities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to look out for myself and take responsibility for my own success. No one else is going to manage my career for me, so it's up to me to advocate for myself and stay accountable for the outcomes I want.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is simple: just do it. Don't wait for the "right time" to start pursuing your goals, whether that's finishing a degree, earning a certification, or stepping into a leadership role. Start now, stay persistent, and commit to never stop learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the misconceptions people have about what an executive assistant's role actually involves. A real opportunity lies in helping others understand our process and recognize that we are essential, strategic partners on the team, not simply support staff to be bypassed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the most important value to me, both professionally and personally. I believe in saying what I'm going to do and following through on it. Advocacy matters deeply to me as well, and I believe it only carries weight when it's grounded in honesty. Being honest and doing what I say I'll do guides how I show up in every part of my life.
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