Carla Harris

Carla Harris is a Wall Street executive, author, keynote speaker, and gospel recording artist with a career spanning more than three decades in global finance. Harris joined Morgan Stanley after earning an AB in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She became the first African American to join Morgan Stanley's management committee. For more than a decade, Harris was a senior member of the equity syndicate desk, executing transactions such as initial public offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and a $3.2 billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the largest biotechnology common stock transactions in U.S. history.

Harris serves as Vice Chairman, Managing Director, and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, with more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her expertise spans technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare sectors. She was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. Harris has been recognized by Fortune, US Banker, Black Enterprise, Essence Magazine, and Ebony, and was named Woman of the Year by both the Harvard Black Men's Forum and the Yale Black Men's Forum. She received the University of Notre Dame's Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics.

Harris is the author of the books "Strategize to Win," "Expect to Win," and "Lead to Win," and is the creator of "Carla's Pearls," which are featured in her speeches and television appearances. Her thought leadership has been highlighted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes.

Harris began singing at age 9 and performed with Harvard's Radcliffe Choral Society, the St. Charles Gospelites, and her own band, Rhythm Company. As a professional vocalist, she has recorded four gospel albums and performed at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater. Her first CD, "Carla's First Christmas," was a bestseller on Amazon.com in New York and in record stores, and was featured on CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. She has also released "Unceasing Praise" and "Joy Is Waiting," the latter featured on BET Nightly News. Harris's career in both finance and music reflects her philosophy of bringing one's whole self to every endeavor.