Top Five Takeaways for Success from a Morgan Stanley C-Suite Executive
Iona University welcomed Morgan Stanley’s chief client officer for an engaging discussion as part of its “View from the C-Suite" speaker series
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Iona University recently welcomed Mandell Crawley, executive vice president and chief client officer at Morgan Stanley, for an inspiring discussion on leadership, career success and the evolving impact of artificial intelligence in the workforce.
A Chicago native, Crawley opened the discussion by sharing his personal journey from an ambitious high-school intern to becoming a C-suite executive at Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s leading financial institutions. He emphasized that career paths are rarely linear, encouraging students to embrace unexpected opportunities and challenges.
“If you take nothing else away as you think about life after Iona, just know that whatever linear lens you have, it will probably get challenged at some point,” Crawley said. “I initially aspired to be an educator, but two pivotal decisions changed my trajectory — accepting an internship at Morgan Stanley in high school and later moving to New York at 24. That moment changed everything. It was my first time living outside of Chicago and even my first time on an airplane.”
Top 5 Lessons for Success
Drawing on his 30-year tenure at Morgan Stanley, Crawley shared five key takeaways for success in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape:
- Embrace Risk and Bet on Yourself
Crawley urged students to step outside of their comfort zones, sharing how taking a chance on an internship led to a transformative career in financial services. “You have to be willing to put risk in the context of your career—step into spaces that make you uncomfortable and trust in your ability to adapt and succeed.” - Mentorship is a Game-Changer
He attributed his success to mentors who challenged and supported him. “Be really prescriptive about who you invite into your life. The best mentors aren’t necessarily the most senior people… they’re the ones who will take your call, challenge your thinking and offer real guidance.” - AI is Reshaping Industries, but Human Connection is Irreplaceable
Crawley acknowledged AI’s impact on the workforce but emphasized that human intelligence, adaptability and leadership remain irreplaceable. “This isn’t man versus machine — it’s man plus machine. AI is going to create efficiencies and opportunities, but the ability to connect, influence and lead will always be valuable.” - Lifelong Learning Fuels Career Growth
Crawley shared that continuous learning is essential in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. “The moment you stop learning, you stop growing. Stay curious, expand your skill set, and never assume you know everything.” He encouraged students to build expertise across multiple disciplines, highlighting that diverse experiences create more career opportunities. - Resilience and Emotional Intelligence Drive Success
Crawley spoke candidly about overcoming personal and professional adversity, emphasizing that self-awareness, emotional intelligence and resilience are crucial for success. “The most successful people I know have three key traits: self-confidence, the ability to manage insecurity and impulse control.” He encouraged students to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks and develop strong decision-making skills. “You will face moments of doubt. You will feel like an imposter. But over time, as you push through, you’ll realize that you belong in every room you step into.”
In closing, Crawley challenged students to continually reflect on four essential questions:
- Am I learning?
- Am I growing?
- Am I having an impact?
- Am I happy?
“If you can answer yes to all four, you’re on the right track,” he said.
The event, moderated by Dr. Alison Munsch, associate professor in the LaPenta School of Business, was presented as part of Iona’s “View from the C-Suite" speaker series. Past speakers include an impressive roster of executives and alumni from top companies such as Visa; HEINEKEN USA; Bloomberg; Steve Madden; GM and many others. Learn more and watch previous discussions here.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.