Carey Halio: The Inspiring Journey of Goldman Sachs’ Global Treasurer and Finance Trailblazer
Carey Halio, officially known as Carey (Baker) Halio, is a prominent American business leader and financial strategist who currently serves as the Global Treasurer at Goldman Sachs. With a career spanning more than two decades at one of the world’s most influential investment banks, she has become a powerful figure representing both competence and resilience in the global finance industry.
Known for her analytical acumen, calm leadership, and commitment to ethical growth, Carey Halio has consistently demonstrated how disciplined strategy and purpose-driven management can shape the modern financial world. Her journey from a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala to a top executive in New York is a story of ambition, intellect, and service.
Early Life and Education of Carey Halio
Whittier College: The Foundation of Her Success
Carey Halio began her academic journey at Whittier College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration and Management in 1995. During her time there, she displayed a strong work ethic and versatility, balancing her studies with multiple part-time jobs and extracurricular commitments. She was also an active member of the Athenian Society and worked as a tutor on campus.
Whittier’s liberal and multidisciplinary teaching environment provided her with a foundation for analysing complex financial and managerial problems—skills that would later define her leadership style. In interviews, she has credited her education for teaching her to evaluate issues “from all sorts of perspectives,” a trait that has guided her throughout her professional career.
Columbia Business School: Building a Strategic Mind
After completing her undergraduate studies, Carey pursued an MBA at Columbia University’s Columbia Business School, graduating in the year 2000. Her years at Columbia were transformative, exposing her to the intricacies of corporate finance, investment strategy, and risk management. The Ivy League experience not only sharpened her technical knowledge but also expanded her professional network, which would prove instrumental in her career at Goldman Sachs.
Early Career: From Service to Strategy
Before entering the corporate world, Carey Halio made a unique and altruistic choice. Between 1996 and 1998, she joined the U.S. Peace Corps as a Small Business Development Volunteer in Guatemala. There, she worked on microfinance initiatives aimed at empowering local women through small-scale credit and entrepreneurship.
This early exposure to the real-world challenges of finance, sustainability, and empowerment shaped her worldview. It gave her a human-centred understanding of money management, one that later influenced her approach to banking leadership and risk governance.
Career at Goldman Sachs
Entry and Rise Through Credit Risk
Carey Halio began her journey at Goldman Sachs in 1999 as a Summer Associate in the Credit Risk division in New York. She officially rejoined the firm in 2000, marking the beginning of a remarkable career spanning over 25 years.
Her early years were spent in Credit Risk Management & Advisory, where she quickly gained recognition for her ability to evaluate complex financial exposures and strengthen the firm’s credit risk frameworks. Her strategic insight and calm leadership during high-pressure situations set her apart from her peers.
In 2009, Carey was promoted to Managing Director, an acknowledgment of her consistent excellence and leadership potential.
Leadership Roles in Banking and Finance
Chief Financial Officer – Goldman Sachs Bank USA
From 2014 to 2018, Carey served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, overseeing the bank’s capital structure, liquidity management, and financial reporting. During this period, she played a vital role in enhancing financial resilience and operational efficiency within the bank’s US division.
Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Treasurer
Between 2018 and 2021, Carey Halio was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Deputy Treasurer of Goldman Sachs. Her leadership during this time was instrumental in steering the bank through regulatory transformations and the uncertainties of the post-pandemic recovery. Her balanced approach between innovation and prudence earned her immense respect within and beyond the firm.
Global Head of Investor Relations and Chief Strategy Officer
In 2021, she took on the role of Global Head of Investor Relations, and later, in 2022, she became Chief Strategy Officer and Global Head of Investor Relations. Here, she was responsible for communicating Goldman Sachs’s strategic direction to global investors and stakeholders, strengthening transparency and trust in the firm’s financial vision.
Her leadership style was noted for its clarity, empathy, and forward-thinking nature—qualities that made her one of the most respected voices in corporate strategy circles.
Global Treasurer: A New Era of Leadership
In May 2024, Carey Halio reached one of the most prestigious positions in global finance when she was appointed Global Treasurer of Goldman Sachs. She also joined the firm’s Management Committee, one of the highest decision-making bodies in the organisation.
As Global Treasurer, she manages the firm’s $1.6 trillion balance sheet, ensuring optimal liquidity, risk control, and capital allocation across all divisions. She also serves on the Conduct Committee, the Enterprise Risk Committee, and co-chairs the Firmwide Asset Liability Committee.
Her appointment came shortly after the departure of another top female executive, marking a significant milestone for women in finance and reaffirming Goldman Sachs’s commitment to gender diversity in leadership.
Commitment to Governance and Social Responsibility
Beyond her financial expertise, Carey Halio is deeply committed to governance and social good. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at NeighborShare, a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting communities and providing rapid financial assistance to families in need.
She is also a Trustee of Whittier College, where she contributes to the Audit and Finance Committees, helping shape future educational policies and financial oversight.
Her involvement in such initiatives highlights her belief that finance is not merely about capital growth but about responsibility, sustainability, and impact.
Husband and Personal Life of Carey Halio
In her personal life, Carey Halio is married to Jason Halio, and together they have two sons. The family has resided in the New York metropolitan area and previously in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Despite her demanding professional role, Carey is known to maintain a balanced life, often emphasising the importance of family support and teamwork as foundations of success. Her experience of raising a family while leading within a global firm has made her a role model for working women worldwide.
Recognition and Influence
Carey Halio’s rise through the ranks of Goldman Sachs represents both personal excellence and institutional transformation. When she was promoted to Partner in 2016, she joined an elite circle often described as “one of Wall Street’s most exclusive clubs.”
Her success stands as a testament to her intellect, resilience, and leadership. She has often been cited in industry publications such as Fortune, Reuters, and The New York Times for her significant role in shaping Goldman Sachs’s long-term strategic and financial direction.
The Leadership Philosophy of Carey Halio
Empathy, Strategy, and Stability
What sets Carey Halio apart is her combination of analytical precision and human empathy. Her Peace Corps experience taught her that finance must serve people, not just numbers. At Goldman Sachs, she applies this perspective through responsible risk management and sustainable value creation.
She believes that leadership in finance demands both clarity and compassion—a view that resonates across the firm’s culture and with investors worldwide.
A Role Model for Women in Finance
As one of Goldman Sachs’s most senior female executives, Carey Halio represents a new generation of inclusive leadership. Her journey continues to inspire countless professionals, particularly women who aspire to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Her example demonstrates that integrity, diligence, and intellectual curiosity remain the most powerful tools for success.
Conclusion
Carey Halio’s career embodies the modern evolution of global finance—strategic, ethical, and inclusive. From her beginnings as a microfinance volunteer in Guatemala to managing one of the world’s largest balance sheets, her journey reflects how vision and discipline can lead to transformative impact.
As the Global Treasurer of Goldman Sachs, Carey Halio not only safeguards the firm’s financial health but also champions a broader message: that leadership in finance is most effective when it combines precision with purpose.
FAQs
1. Who is Carey Halio?
Carey (Baker) Halio is the Global Treasurer at Goldman Sachs and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, overseeing its $1.6 trillion balance sheet.
2. How old is Carey Halio?
Carey Halio is estimated to be around 51–52 years old in 2025, based on her graduation timeline from Whittier College in 1995.
3. Who is Carey Halio’s husband?
She is married to Jason Halio, and together they have two sons. The family resides in the New York area.
4. What is Carey Halio’s educational background?
She earned her MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Whittier College.
5. What are Carey Halio’s notable achievements?
She has served as CFO, CEO, and Chief Strategy Officer at Goldman Sachs Bank USA before becoming Global Treasurer, making her one of the firm’s top female executives.
