Discover Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Discover has 6 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, operational oversight, business risk management, and executive administration.

Focused on delivering robust financial solutions, Discover maintains a commitment to consumer banking excellence and secure payment network operations across the United States market.

Leadership Roles at Discover

  • Executive AssistantBank President - Bernadette Donohue
  • Vice President, Chief of Staff - Jennifer Goff
  • Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff - Stacy Cohen
  • Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff - Christopher Gibbs
  • Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff - Laurie Certo
  • Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation - Ashley McGuire
  • Bernadette Donohue - Executive AssistantBank President

    Bernadette Donohue, the Executive AssistantBank President at Discover, manages the administrative operations and strategic scheduling for the Bank President. Coordinating high-level meetings and communications, the Executive AssistantBank President ensures that the President remains focused on critical banking initiatives and leadership priorities. Bernadette Donohue facilitates the flow of information between the executive office and various business segments, including the Payment Services network. By streamlining administrative workflows, the Executive AssistantBank President drives efficiency in the daily management of the bank's leadership functions. This role involves handling sensitive information and supporting the execution of corporate governance standards. Through the effective management of the President's agenda, the Executive AssistantBank President ensures that strategic goals receive the necessary attention and resources. Donohue plays a vital role in maintaining the organizational rhythm required to support the company's mission of providing reliable financial services to a diverse consumer base across the United States.

    Jennifer Goff - Vice President, Chief of Staff

    Jennifer Goff, the Vice President, Chief of Staff at Discover, directs high-level organizational alignment and strategic execution. Managing complex cross-functional initiatives, the Vice President, Chief of Staff ensures that internal workflows support the broader direct banking and payment services objectives. Jennifer Goff facilitates communication between senior leadership and operational teams to maintain efficiency across the enterprise. By optimizing resource allocation and project prioritization, the Vice President, Chief of Staff drives the successful implementation of corporate goals. This role involves constant monitoring of performance metrics to ensure that Discover remains competitive within the United States financial landscape. Through rigorous oversight of internal processes, the Vice President, Chief of Staff strengthens the foundation for sustainable growth. Ultimately, Goff secures operational excellence by bridging the gap between executive vision and daily business activities, ensuring that all departments remain focused on delivering superior value to customers.

    Stacy Cohen - Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff

    Stacy Cohen, the Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff at Discover, architects long-term growth initiatives and strategic planning frameworks. Overseeing the integration of business strategy with daily operations, the Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff ensures that product development aligns with market demands for credit cards and personal loans. Stacy Cohen evaluates emerging financial trends to refine the company's competitive positioning. By coordinating with department heads, the Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff fosters a culture of innovation and data-driven decision-making. This leadership role requires constant analysis of the Direct Banking segment to identify new opportunities for expansion. Through the development of comprehensive strategic roadmaps, the Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff drives organizational agility. Cohen maintains a focus on long-term profitability while ensuring that all strategic efforts support the core mission of providing accessible financial products to consumers nationwide.

    Christopher Gibbs - Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff

    Christopher Gibbs, the Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff at Discover, manages the analytical infrastructure required for effective corporate decision-making. Supporting the development of strategic initiatives, the Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff ensures that data insights inform the expansion of deposit products and lending services. Christopher Gibbs coordinates with various business units to streamline reporting processes and enhance operational transparency. By identifying inefficiencies in current business models, the Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff drives improvements that bolster the company's market position. This role involves managing complex projects that require collaboration across the Payment Services and Direct Banking segments. Through the implementation of robust support systems, the Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff facilitates seamless execution of corporate objectives. Gibbs ensures that strategic planning remains grounded in accurate financial data, ultimately supporting the long-term stability and growth of the organization.

    Laurie Certo - Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff

    Laurie Certo, the Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff at Discover, directs the integration of technology risk management into the broader business strategy. Overseeing the advisory functions for technical infrastructure, the Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff ensures that digital banking platforms remain secure and compliant. Laurie Certo evaluates potential vulnerabilities within the Discover Network to protect consumer data and maintain service reliability. By collaborating with technology teams, the Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff drives the adoption of proactive risk mitigation strategies. This role involves balancing innovation with rigorous security standards to support the company's digital transformation. Through the oversight of advisory operations, the Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff strengthens the resilience of the entire financial ecosystem. Certo ensures that technological advancements align with corporate risk appetite.

    Ashley McGuire - Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation

    Ashley McGuire, the Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation at Discover, architects the structural frameworks necessary for organizational remediation and process improvement. Overseeing the Office of Remediation, the Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation ensures that all operational gaps are addressed with precision and speed. Ashley McGuire develops standardized protocols to enhance compliance and efficiency across the Direct Banking segment. By leading cross-departmental efforts to resolve complex operational challenges, the Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation drives significant improvements in service delivery. This role involves constant interaction with internal audit and risk management teams to ensure that remediation efforts meet regulatory expectations. Through the implementation of robust operational frameworks, the Chief of Staff & Head of Operational Frameworks, Office of Remediation secures the integrity of the company's financial services. McGuire maintains a focus on continuous improvement to support long-term operational excellence.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Credit Card Processing

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Discover Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Discover?
    Discover is led by Bernadette Donohue (Executive AssistantBank President), along with executives such as Jennifer Goff (Vice President, Chief of Staff) and Stacy Cohen (Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Discover’s executive team?
    The executive team of Discover includes leaders such as Bernadette Donohue (Executive AssistantBank President), Jennifer Goff (Vice President, Chief of Staff), Stacy Cohen (Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Discover have?
    Discover has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Discover’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Discover includes roles such as Executive AssistantBank President, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Senior Principal, Business Strategy and Chief of Staff, Business Strategy Support Principal & Chief of Staff, Business Strategy Senior Principal & Technology Risk Oversight & Advisory Org Chief of Staff.