Since assuming the role of Chairman and CEO of American Express in 2018, Stephen J. Squeri has spearheaded the company's long-term growth strategy, using his expertise to drive investment in talent, customer relationships, and the company's own proprietary model. With nearly four decades of experience in senior leadership positions, including Vice Chairman and Group President, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
A dedicated philanthropist and educator, he also serves on the Board of Trustees at Manhattan University and supports various educational initiatives, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the community. A proud alumnus of Manhattan University, Stephen holds both a Bachelor of Science and an MBA degree.
Stephen J. Squeri was born in 1959 in New York City to a family with Irish and Italian immigrant roots. Raised in Astoria, Queens, he graduated from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in 1977. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College in 1981, followed by an MBA from the same institution in 1986. Stephen began his career in the financial services sector as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen, where he spent four years before joining American Express and embarking on a distinguished career that has spanned decades.
Stephen J. Squeri, a visionary leader with over three decades of experience at American Express, has served as the company's CEO and Chairman since 2018. Since joining the company in 1985, he has held various management positions, including Manager of the Travelers Cheque Group and Vice Chairman, driving growth and innovation throughout his tenure. Under his leadership, American Express has significantly expanded its digital capabilities, introduced new financial products, and diversified its international presence.
In addition to his role at American Express, Stephen serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Manhattan College, a position he assumed in May 2023. His commitment to philanthropy is evident in his $10 million donation to the college in 2021, further strengthening his ties to his alma mater.
American Express is using the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize its operations and customer experiences. The company is strengthening its fraud prevention capabilities by leveraging AI technologies, delivering personalized interactions, streamlining processes, and pioneering innovative generative AI initiatives. With a data-driven approach at its core, American Express solidifies its position as a trailblazer in innovation within the financial services sector.
AI in Finance: American Express integrates AI to enhance fraud prevention, personalize customer experiences, streamline credit risk assessments, and optimize internal operations. This data-driven approach positions the company as a leader in innovation within the financial services sector.
AI-Powered Fraud Detection with NVIDIA: AmEx collaborates with NVIDIA to improve fraud detection by applying AI to analyze transactions in real-time. Integrating machine learning reduces false positives, streamlines decision-making, enhances operational efficiency, and bolsters customer trust by minimizing financial losses.
Machine Learning for Customer Service: American Express leverages machine learning to personalize customer service by analyzing real-time transaction data. This ML integration helps predict customer needs and automate support systems, improving both efficiency and customer satisfaction while reducing operational costs.
Real-Time Transaction Analysis: AmEx utilizes big data analytics and predictive analytics to detect fraud by analyzing transactional and behavioral data. The company applies machine learning to identify patterns, prevent potential losses, and ensure a seamless customer experience while maintaining robust security.
Generative AI for Customer Experience: AmEx Digital Labs is experimenting with generative AI to improve customer experience. The focus is on predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and refining customer interactions. The company prioritizes privacy and security, exploring the integration of existing AI models into its systems.
Exploring Generative AI: AmEx Ventures engages with generative AI startups to explore its future applications in enterprises. By sharing its own AI initiatives, AmEx seeks to understand how startups are adopting generative AI, focusing on scalability, security, productivity, and risk management within business operations.
Machine Learning to Prevent Fraud: AmEx employs machine learning algorithms to analyze transaction data and detect fraud. These ML-powered systems offer personalized rewards, and predictive support, and optimize fraud prevention measures, minimizing risks while improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction.
As of February 2025, Chairman and CEO of American Express Stephen J. Squeri has an estimated net value of $58 million. He holds around 191,224 shares of American Express Co. (AXP), contributing significantly to his net value. The visionary leader’s net worth demonstrates his position in the company’s leadership and his role in its success. This net value also highlights Stephen’s strong impact in the financial industry, as evidenced by American Express's ongoing success and his key leadership.
Stephen Squeri has served as the CEO of American Express since 2018. During his tenure, Amex has emphasized innovation, customer experience, and digital transformation. He has been responsible for introducing new products and services, deepening strategic partnerships, and propelling growth in global markets. Stephen has also strongly advocated diversity and inclusion programs in the company.
American Express has faced several controversies, including criticism for its 'woke' policies, merchant lawsuits alleging anti-competitive practices, backlash over Delta's loyalty program changes, and a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee.
Woke Policies: American Express has faced criticism for its 'woke' policies, particularly its diversity training programs. Critics, such as Christopher Rufo, have labeled these programs as racially divisive and 'fundamentally racist.' These initiatives have been accused of promoting race-based stereotyping and violating civil rights laws, prompting the launch of the 'UnAmerican Express' campaign to halt these programs.
Merchant Lawsuits: American Express has been sued by merchants who allege that the company's 'non-discrimination provisions' restrict competition by preventing them from promoting lower-fee payment options. This mirrors similar lawsuits filed against Visa and Mastercard. The merchants claim that these fees significantly impact their profits and that American Express blocked their prior arbitration attempts.
Delta Loyalty Program Changes: American Express CEO Stephen Squeri faced scrutiny over Delta's controversial loyalty program changes, which shifted rewards focus from miles flown to money spent. Despite pushback from travelers, Squeri downplayed their partnership's impact, asserting no business loss.
Racial Discrimination Lawsuit: A former American Express employee, Brian Netzel, filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that the company discriminated against him and other white employees. The lawsuit alleges that American Express incentivized executives to reduce the number of white employees under CEO Stephen Squeri's leadership.