Carolyn M. Matthews (’17 Management)

2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award

Carolyn Matthews is a Senior Vice President on the People Team at BNY with eight years of experience in financial services supporting the organization through periods of significant change and growth. Based in Pittsburgh, Carolyn has held roles with increasing responsibility, collaborating with global leaders on initiatives that shape how work gets done and the employee experience.

Carolyn was an integral member of the team that spearheaded the firm’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting employee well-being and operational continuity during a period of significant disruption. In the years that followed, she supported the evolution of BNY’s workplace strategy, with a focus on employee experience, adaptability, and sustainable ways of working. Her background in employee relations helped her develop a strong foundation in managing complex, people-centered issues with care and judgment.

Today, Carolyn is focused on enabling large-scale organizational transformation by supporting the implementation of an enterprise operating model designed to enhance collaboration, scalability, and client focus across the bank’s global purview. Her contributions have been recognized through honors such as the 2022 BNY Star award, given to only 55 employees globally in recognition of excellence and contributions to the firm’s innovation, commercial growth, and client focus. She also received a COVID-19 Response Impact Award from BNY.

Carolyn credits her time at the Smeal College of Business with shaping her people-first leadership approach, grounding her in the importance of empathy, ethical decision-making, and building strong, inclusive organizations. She earned her degree in Management from Penn State in 2017.