USAA Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

USAA has 10 executives leading key functions including communications, financial oversight, information technology, and strategic risk management.

Committed to serving the unique financial needs of military families, USAA delivers comprehensive insurance, banking, and investment solutions through advanced digital platforms to ensure long-term economic security for members worldwide.

Leadership Roles at USAA

  • Chief Executive Officer, Communications - Joseph Pfund
  • Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director - Mary Pawelek
  • Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury - Banu Naidu
  • Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer - Samuel Huerta
  • Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program - Rogelet Ernius
  • Assistant Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology - Chelsey Opareaddo
  • Chief of Staff - Allysa Turner
  • Chief Information Officer - William Hanby
  • Strategy Planning Enterprise Risk & Compliance Chief of Staff - Lance Clayton
  • PC Digital & Design Chief of Staff - Kate Warters
  • Joseph Pfund - Chief Executive Officer, Communications

    Joseph Pfund, the Chief Executive Officer, Communications at USAA, directs all internal and external messaging strategies to maintain brand integrity across the military community. Overseeing the dissemination of critical financial information, the Chief Executive Officer, Communications ensures that every member receives clear, actionable guidance regarding insurance and banking products. This leadership role involves aligning corporate narratives with the evolving needs of military families while managing global outreach initiatives. By optimizing communication channels, Joseph Pfund directly impacts the accessibility of financial services. Ultimately, Pfund secures member trust through transparent engagement and consistent delivery of the company mission across all digital platforms.

    Mary Pawelek - Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director

    Mary Pawelek, the Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director at USAA, governs the overarching support infrastructure and board-level strategic initiatives. Overseeing the alignment of organizational resources, the Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director ensures that operational support functions remain robust enough to handle complex insurance and investment demands. This leadership role involves coordinating with the board to define long-term growth trajectories while maintaining the financial stability required for military members. By refining internal support mechanisms, Mary Pawelek directly impacts the efficiency of service delivery. Ultimately, Pawelek drives the strategic vision necessary to sustain the organization as a premier provider of financial solutions for the military community.

    Banu Naidu - Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury

    Banu Naidu, the Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury at USAA, manages the intersection of financial liquidity and technological investment. Overseeing the treasury functions specifically related to IT infrastructure, the Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury ensures that capital allocation supports the digital transformation of banking services. This leadership role involves balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for rapid technological advancement to serve military families. By optimizing the financial health of IT projects, Banu Naidu directly impacts the long-term sustainability of digital platforms. Ultimately, Naidu drives financial efficiency by aligning treasury operations with the strategic technology roadmap, ensuring that the organization maintains its competitive edge in the financial services industry.

    Samuel Huerta - Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer

    Samuel Huerta, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer at USAA, executes rigorous financial audits to ensure the accuracy and transparency of fiscal reporting. Overseeing the internal control environment, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial data remains reliable for executive decision-making. This leadership role involves evaluating the effectiveness of financial processes within the banking and insurance divisions. By identifying areas for improvement in financial reporting, Samuel Huerta directly impacts the overall fiscal health of the organization. Ultimately, Huerta supports the Chief Financial Officer by providing the objective analysis necessary to maintain high standards of financial integrity and accountability across all corporate operations.

    Rogelet Ernius - Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program

    Rogelet Ernius, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program at USAA, manages the financial development and talent investment strategies for emerging organizational leaders. Overseeing the budget and resource allocation for leadership training, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program ensures that the company cultivates the next generation of financial experts. This leadership role involves aligning talent development with the long-term strategic goals of the banking and insurance sectors. By investing in human capital, Rogelet Ernius directly impacts the future operational capacity of the organization. Ultimately, Ernius secures the long-term success of the company by fostering a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of the financial services industry.

    Chelsey Opareaddo - Assistant Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology

    Chelsey Opareaddo, the Assistant Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology at USAA, directs the financial planning and analysis for all IT-related expenditures. Overseeing the budget for software development and infrastructure maintenance, the Assistant Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology ensures that technology investments yield measurable returns for the organization. This leadership role involves collaborating with technical teams to prioritize projects that enhance banking and insurance services. By optimizing IT spending, Chelsey Opareaddo directly impacts the efficiency of digital service delivery. Ultimately, Opareaddo drives financial discipline within the technology department, ensuring that the company maintains its commitment to providing cost-effective and high-quality financial solutions to military families.

    Allysa Turner - Chief of Staff

    Allysa Turner, the Chief of Staff at USAA, coordinates executive operations and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to streamline decision-making processes. Overseeing the integration of strategic priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures that leadership initiatives translate into tangible improvements for banking and insurance services. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects that span the entire organization, ensuring that resources align with the specific needs of military families. By optimizing administrative workflows, Allysa Turner directly impacts the speed and quality of corporate execution. Ultimately, Turner maintains operational excellence by bridging the gap between executive strategy and daily business functions, ensuring that the company remains agile in a competitive financial landscape.

    William Hanby - Chief Information Officer

    William Hanby, the Chief Information Officer at USAA, architects the digital infrastructure that powers mobile banking and insurance platforms for military members. Overseeing the security and scalability of information systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that all digital touchpoints remain resilient against evolving cyber threats. This leadership role involves driving technological innovation to enhance user experience across global markets. By modernizing data architecture, William Hanby directly impacts the reliability of financial services provided to the military community. Ultimately, Hanby secures the technological foundation of the organization, enabling seamless access to financial planning tools and insurance products regardless of the member's location or operational environment.

    Lance Clayton - Strategy Planning Enterprise Risk & Compliance Chief of Staff

    Lance Clayton, the Strategy Planning Enterprise Risk & Compliance Chief of Staff at USAA, directs the integration of risk management frameworks into long-term strategic planning. Overseeing the compliance protocols that govern insurance and banking operations, the Strategy Planning Enterprise Risk & Compliance Chief of Staff ensures that all business activities adhere to regulatory standards. This leadership role involves identifying potential market risks and developing mitigation strategies to protect the financial interests of military members. By aligning compliance with strategic goals, Lance Clayton directly impacts the stability of the organization. Ultimately, Clayton secures the integrity of the company by fostering a culture of risk awareness and regulatory excellence across all departments.

    Kate Warters - PC Digital & Design Chief of Staff

    Kate Warters, the PC Digital & Design Chief of Staff at USAA, directs the operational workflow for digital product design and user interface development. Overseeing the creative and technical teams responsible for the mobile app experience, the PC Digital & Design Chief of Staff ensures that digital tools meet the unique needs of military members. This leadership role involves coordinating design sprints and aligning product development with the broader company mission. By optimizing the design process, Kate Warters directly impacts the usability and accessibility of financial services. Ultimately, Warters drives innovation in the digital space, ensuring that the organization provides intuitive and effective solutions for its global member base.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding USAA Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads USAA?
    USAA is led by Joseph Pfund (Chief Executive Officer, Communications), along with executives such as Mary Pawelek (Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director) and Banu Naidu (Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury).
    Who is part of USAA’s executive team?
    The executive team of USAA includes leaders such as Joseph Pfund (Chief Executive Officer, Communications), Mary Pawelek (Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director), Banu Naidu (Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does USAA have?
    USAA has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in USAA’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of USAA includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Communications, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Support & Director, Chief Financial Officer, Lead, Information Technology Treasury, Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program.