B2B Narrative Strategist & Executive Ghostwriter | Financial Services, Fintech & and Investment Management | Books & Thought Leadership | Former Expert Witness & Wall Street Trader

New York City Metropolitan Area
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About

Great expertise does not guarantee that the market will understand why it matters.

I learned that lesson over a career spent at the intersection of complex financial information, business decisions, and communication.

As a Wall Street trader, risk manager, valuation professional, consultant, university finance professor, entrepreneur, and testifying expert witness, I repeatedly saw the gap between what experts intend to communicate and what audiences understand. This gap can mean weakened trust, longer sales cycles, missed opportunities, and confusion about a firm's value proposition.

Today, I help financial services, fintech, and investment management firms, and the executives who lead them, close that gap through two service paths.

NARRATIVE STRATEGY FOR B2B FIRMS

I help organizations assess, design, and implement narratives and thought leadership around complex strategies, products, research, and ideas:

● Narrative Diagnostic — Identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities.
● Narrative Design — Develop positioning, narrative architecture, and thought leadership strategy.
● Narrative Implementation — Translate strategy into quality thought leadership and market-facing communications.

The objective isn't more content. It's a stronger connection between what an organization knows, what it communicates, what audiences understand, and what they subsequently do.

GHOSTWRITING FOR EXECUTIVES

I partner with executives and other industry leaders who have important ideas but may lack the time, distance, or writing bandwidth to develop them fully.

I ghostwrite books, articles, white papers, speeches, presentations, executive commentary, LinkedIn thought leadership campaigns, and other content. My process can include interviews, independent research, data storytelling, outlining, and developmental editing.

WHY ME?

My background combines financial and investment subject-matter expertise with research, strategy, and professional writing. I hold a PhD in finance, MBA in finance, MA in economics, and MFA in creative and professional writing, along with CFA® charterholder, FRM®, and CFE credentials.

My experience has taught me never to assume that information supplied is the same as understanding achieved.
This idea informs my work on Narrative Governance Risk: the risk that an organization's strategy, expertise, or intended message is interpreted differently than intended.

I explore these issues in Money Mainly (https://moneymainly.substack.com), where financial expertise meets communication, judgment, and market interpretation.

Services

Articles by Susan

Activity

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Experience

  • B2B Narrative Strategist | Executive Ghostwriter

    I Paint With Words, LLC

    - Present 10 years 2 months

    Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

    I advise financial firms on Narrative Governance Risk—the gap between strategy, communication, and market interpretation that can impact investor confidence, capital formation, and valuation perception.

    My work helps asset managers, banks, consulting and advisory firms, fintech companies, and financial services firms ensure that complex ideas are not just accurate but understood, trusted, and acted upon.

    WHAT I DO:

    Narrative Governance Risk Audit:
    Identify where…

    I advise financial firms on Narrative Governance Risk—the gap between strategy, communication, and market interpretation that can impact investor confidence, capital formation, and valuation perception.

    My work helps asset managers, banks, consulting and advisory firms, fintech companies, and financial services firms ensure that complex ideas are not just accurate but understood, trusted, and acted upon.

    WHAT I DO:

    Narrative Governance Risk Audit:
    Identify where messaging breaks down across strategy, content, and stakeholder interpretation—and deliver a focused 30-day roadmap aligned to business and investor priorities

    Strategic Thought Leadership Systems:
    Design structured, insight-driven communication frameworks that connect expertise to growth, differentiation, and credibility

    Executive Ghostwriting (Retainer or Project-Based):
    Develop high-quality content for senior leaders that reflects market realities, fiduciary context, and strategic intent

    WHAT CHANGES:

    • Misunderstood strategy → Clear market positioning
    • Generic messaging → Differentiated perspective
    • Inconsistent narratives → Aligned, credible communication
    • Limited visibility → Recognized authority

    DISTINCT POSITIONING:

    This is not traditional content marketing. It is strategic communication grounded in capital markets, fiduciary responsibility, and risk analysis—designed for organizations where precision and credibility matter.

    CREDENTIALS:

    PhD (Finance) | CFA® | CFE | FRM | MA (Economics) | MBA (Finance) | MFA (Journalism)
    Award-winning financial writer and blogger
    Author: Risk Management for Pensions, Endowments, and Foundations
    Creator: Thought Leadership Newsletter at https://moneymainly.substack.com

  • Co-Editor - Pension Risk Management eJournal (SSRN/Elsevier)

    Elsevier

    - Present 13 years

    Co-created and continue to co-edit a leading research publication focused on pension risk, fiduciary governance, and institutional investment strategy.

    • Curate and evaluate academic and practitioner research
    • Translate complex findings into accessible insights for financial professionals
    • Contribute to discourse on pension risk, asset allocation, and governance

  • Financial Expert Witness | Investment Analyst

    Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP

    - 1 year

    New York, New York, United States

    Retained to provide expert analysis and testimony related to:

    • Asset allocation decisions
    • Fiduciary oversight of retirement plans
    • Investment performance and governance

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Analyzing ERISA fiduciary standards
    • Evaluating industry norms and portfolio construction
    • Preparing expert report for federal litigation

  • Managing Member | Investment Governance and Thought Leadership

    Fiduciary Leadership, LLC

    - 17 years

    New York City Metropolitan Area

    Advised asset managers, financial organizations, and law firms on:

    • Fiduciary best practices
    • Investment governance
    • Risk management and valuation

    Delivered:

    • Executive Training Programs
    • Research-driven white papers
    • Strategic thought leadership

    Clients Included:

    • Global financial services companies
    • Major law firms and advisory practices
    • U.S. Department of Labor
    • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
    • World Bank

  • Financial Expert Witness | Investment Analyst

    O'Melveny & Myers LLP

    - less than a year

    Retained to provide expert analysis and testimony related to:

    • 401(k) plan asset allocation
    • Institutional versus retail mutual fund fees
    • Retirement plan service provider due diligence

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Conducting fee benchmark analysis
    • Preparing data-driven visuals
    • Writing court-qualified expert report

  • Financial Expert Witness | Investment Analyst

    Alston & Bird

    - 1 year

    Retained to provide expert analysis and testimony related to:

    • 401(k) plan asset allocation
    • Defined benefit plan design
    • Retirement plan communications

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Analyzing 401(k) plan and defined benefit plan fees
    • Explaining how damages are calculated in a putative class action related to retirement plans
    • Preparing expert report for state litigation

  • Expert Witness | Financial Analyst | Investment Specialist | Writer

    Mayer Brown

    - less than a year

    Retained to provide expert analysis and testimony related to:

    • Defined benefit plan asset allocation
    • Impact of mergers and acquisitions on communications with ERISA plan beneficiaries
    • Investment and recordkeeping fees
    • Service provider due diligence

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Benchmarking fees for complex retirement system
    • Evaluating link between asset allocation and portfolio risk
    • Vetting investment fiduciaries' monitoring of service providers

  • Managing Director, Forensic and Litigation Consulting

    FTI Consulting

    - 1 year

    New York, New York, United States

    Advised law firms, corporate clients, and institutional investors on complex financial, valuation, and fiduciary matters, with a focus on translating technical analysis into defensible, decision-ready narratives.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Contributing to thought leadership and financial and investment client development initiatives
    • Developing expert reports and C-suite analyses for litigation, regulatory, and strategic matters
    • Leading and contributing to high-stakes…

    Advised law firms, corporate clients, and institutional investors on complex financial, valuation, and fiduciary matters, with a focus on translating technical analysis into defensible, decision-ready narratives.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Contributing to thought leadership and financial and investment client development initiatives
    • Developing expert reports and C-suite analyses for litigation, regulatory, and strategic matters
    • Leading and contributing to high-stakes engagements involving investment governance and risk
    • Partnering with attorneys and corporations to frame financial arguments for dispute resolution
    • Transforming complex data into persuasive narratives and visual exhibits to support case strategy

  • Competitive Intelligence Strategist | Marketing Analyst | Writer

    Prudential Financial

    - 1 year

    Directed pension risk and investment business intelligence initiatives for internal clients to include marketing, product development, and sales teams.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Creating research-driven content to support business development and strengthen positioning
    • Delivering presentations and training to institutional audiences on governance and risk
    • Helping to translate complex investment strategies into actionable insights for consultants

  • Founder and CEO

    Investment Governance, Inc.

    - 4 years

    Delaware, United States

    Founded and led a digital publishing and data platform focused on fiduciary best practices, investment governance, litigation intelligence, and service provider due diligence.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Designing and launching a platform used by advisors and institutional investors to share expertise
    • Directing product strategy, content development, and go-to-market execution
    • Establishing thought leadership positioning around investment management and risk…

    Founded and led a digital publishing and data platform focused on fiduciary best practices, investment governance, litigation intelligence, and service provider due diligence.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Designing and launching a platform used by advisors and institutional investors to share expertise
    • Directing product strategy, content development, and go-to-market execution
    • Establishing thought leadership positioning around investment management and risk transparency
    • Raising capital and building a proprietary, searchable database of ERISA investment disputes
    • Recruiting and managing cross-functional teams spanning editorial, research, and technology

  • Investment Risk Strategist | Ghostwriter | Researcher

    MetLife

    - 1 year

    Worked at the intersection of institutional strategy, investments, and risk management within a leading global insurance organizations.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Collaborating with actuarial, finance, and marketing teams on portfolio and liability research
    • Contributing to analytical frameworks used to develop unique pension risk management index
    • Evaluating asset allocation, investment strategies, and risk exposures across institutional portfolios
    • Supporting…

    Worked at the intersection of institutional strategy, investments, and risk management within a leading global insurance organizations.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Collaborating with actuarial, finance, and marketing teams on portfolio and liability research
    • Contributing to analytical frameworks used to develop unique pension risk management index
    • Evaluating asset allocation, investment strategies, and risk exposures across institutional portfolios
    • Supporting development of investment-related communications and thought leadership

  • Investment Specialist | Learning and Development Consultant

    U.S. Department of Labor

    - less than a year

    Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Supported regulatory and enforcement-related initiatives tied to ERISA fiduciary standards, investment oversight, and retirement plan investment management.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Advising on best practices for evaluating retirement plan investments and service providers
    • Contributing to initiatives focused on improving participant outcomes and transparency
    • Delivering training to plan examiners on complex financial instruments and investment risk
    • Helping bridge…

    Supported regulatory and enforcement-related initiatives tied to ERISA fiduciary standards, investment oversight, and retirement plan investment management.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Advising on best practices for evaluating retirement plan investments and service providers
    • Contributing to initiatives focused on improving participant outcomes and transparency
    • Delivering training to plan examiners on complex financial instruments and investment risk
    • Helping bridge financial analysis with enforcement priorities and regulatory interpretation

  • Investment Specialist | Consultant/Advisor

    The World Bank

    - less than a year

    Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

    Provided advisory support on investment, pension, and risk-related initiatives for global money managers and Chilean retirement plan beneficiaries.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on investment risk mitigation and fund monitoring
    • Conducting research and analysis on capital markets and investment governance
    • Contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives focused on financial stability and governance
    • Developing reports and…

    Provided advisory support on investment, pension, and risk-related initiatives for global money managers and Chilean retirement plan beneficiaries.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on investment risk mitigation and fund monitoring
    • Conducting research and analysis on capital markets and investment governance
    • Contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives focused on financial stability and governance
    • Developing reports and materials for asset managers, bankers, and policymakers

  • Corporate Trainer

    Kaplan

    - 5 years

    Delivered advanced training in:

    • Derivatives
    • Financial statement analysis
    • Investment portfolio management
    • Risk management

    Taught candidates preparing for:

    • CFA®
    • FRM®

  • Risk Analysis Manager - Worldwide Treasury

    GE

    - 1 year

    New York City Metropolitan Area

    Led complex financial risk analysis initiatives within a global treasury environment, focusing on derivatives, regulatory compliance, and financial instrument valuation.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Advising treasury leadership on risk measurement, hedging strategy, and financial modeling
    • Designing and implementing hedge effectiveness testing methodologies under FAS 133
    • Developing and delivering of global training program on derivatives and risk management
    • Earning…

    Led complex financial risk analysis initiatives within a global treasury environment, focusing on derivatives, regulatory compliance, and financial instrument valuation.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Advising treasury leadership on risk measurement, hedging strategy, and financial modeling
    • Designing and implementing hedge effectiveness testing methodologies under FAS 133
    • Developing and delivering of global training program on derivatives and risk management
    • Earning Six Sigma Green Belt designation for process improvement contributions
    • Evaluating multi-billion-dollar portfolios of commodity, equity, FX, and interest rate exposures
    • Partnering with internal stakeholders and external banks to assess pricing models and risk systems

  • Financial Consultant | Ghostwriter | Project Manager - Dispute Advisory

    PwC

    - 1 year

    New York City Metropolitan Area

    Delivered financial advisory and dispute consulting services involving litigation, regulatory, and valuation matters.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Contributing to thought leadership on institutional investing, governance, and risk mitigation
    • Creating data-driven visuals and case narratives to support courtroom presentations
    • Ghostwriting expert and rebuttal reports for partners on damages, fraud, and securities pricing
    • Managing engagement teams performing financial…

    Delivered financial advisory and dispute consulting services involving litigation, regulatory, and valuation matters.

    Responsibilities Included:

    • Contributing to thought leadership on institutional investing, governance, and risk mitigation
    • Creating data-driven visuals and case narratives to support courtroom presentations
    • Ghostwriting expert and rebuttal reports for partners on damages, fraud, and securities pricing
    • Managing engagement teams performing financial analysis, modeling, and statistical testing
    • Translating complex financial concepts into clear, persuasive materials for executives and lawyers

Education

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

Publications

  • CFOs Can't Be Lax About Taxes: 3 Concerns in 2024

    CFO

    CFOs need to incorporate tax analysis as part of their strategic decision-making or find themselves dealing with unexpected financial and operational outcomes.

    See publication
  • A Bad Return On Your Money

    FRAUD Magazine

    Investors have been losing their money to scammers since ancient times, but the scale and the cost of investment fraud has only grown in a digital age that has made it easier for fraudsters to steal hard-earned savings. In "A Bad Return On Your Money," published in the Nov/Dec 2023 issue of FRAUD Magazine, Dr. Susan Mangiero, CFA explores several types of investment fraud and cautionary red flags to consider. Susan is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She has provided expert witness testimony about…

    Investors have been losing their money to scammers since ancient times, but the scale and the cost of investment fraud has only grown in a digital age that has made it easier for fraudsters to steal hard-earned savings. In "A Bad Return On Your Money," published in the Nov/Dec 2023 issue of FRAUD Magazine, Dr. Susan Mangiero, CFA explores several types of investment fraud and cautionary red flags to consider. Susan is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She has provided expert witness testimony about multiple investment matters.

    See publication
  • 5 Tips For Creating Great Content from a Journalist-Turned-Marketer

    ASJA Magazine

    "5 Tips for Creating Great Content from a Journalist-Turned-Marketer" offers best practices for creating memorable marketing content.

    See publication
  • Why I Pursued an MFA in Creative & Professional Writing

    Sisters in Crime Connecticut Chapter Newsletter

    This article discusses considerations for pursuing an MFA in writing, the kinds of graduate writing programs available, and Susan Mangiero's experience in pursuing her MFA in writing.

  • Calling ERISA Ghostbusters-The Rise of Independent Fiduciaries

    Bloomberg Law

    Settlement of ERISA lawsuits are increasingly including the hiring of an independent fiduciary to oversee plan processes. With a nod to the movie Ghostbusters, two fiduciary experts examine the reasons for the trend, the role of an independent fiduciary, and how ERISA investment committee activity likely changes when they’re required.

    Other authors
    See publication
  • Economic Analysis in Fiduciary Monitoring Disputes Following the Supreme Court's 'Tibble' Ruling

    Pension & Benefits Daily

    Fiduciary monitoring has become a hot topic as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Tibble v. Edison International, according to recent expert insights published by Analysis Group Managing Principal D. Lee Heavner and Fiduciary Leadership LLC Managing Director and Analysis Group affiliate Susan Mangiero. The Tibble ruling, which stated that plan fiduciaries have a responsibility to monitor investments and remove imprudent ones, is important because of the amount of assets in ERISA…

    Fiduciary monitoring has become a hot topic as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Tibble v. Edison International, according to recent expert insights published by Analysis Group Managing Principal D. Lee Heavner and Fiduciary Leadership LLC Managing Director and Analysis Group affiliate Susan Mangiero. The Tibble ruling, which stated that plan fiduciaries have a responsibility to monitor investments and remove imprudent ones, is important because of the amount of assets in ERISA retirement plans – approximately $7 trillion as of 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This decision also comes against a backdrop of growing ERISA litigation. In 2014 alone, ERISA litigation settlements exceeded $1.4 billion, according to Benefits Pro, and this amount excludes the substantial legal costs of defending the cases. In the recent article “Economic Analysis in Fiduciary Monitoring Disputes Following the Supreme Court’s ‘Tibble’ Ruling” (Bloomberg BNA’s Pensions & Benefits Daily, June 24, 2015), Dr. Heavner and Dr. Mangiero explain that what constitutes a reasonable monitoring process may be influenced by plan- and investment-specific factors, as well as by the expected benefits and costs of different monitoring activities. “The monitoring of investments is a broad and complex topic. There is no uniform process that is appropriate in every situation. To the contrary, the list of potentially relevant risk factors is long and subject to revision as circumstances change.” The authors also discuss how complexities arise when calculating economic damages due to the wide array of alternative actions and the substantial variation in timing that may be consistent with a prudent monitoring process. “These are important issues that plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and ERISA lawyers and experts will have to address if, as expected, further challenges to fiduciary monitoring of investments emerge post-Tibble,” said Dr. Heavner

    Other authors
    See publication
  • An Economist's Perspective of Fiduciary Monitoring of Investments

    Pension & Benefits Daily

    A central thesis of "An Economist's Perspective of Fiduciary Monitoring of Investments" by Dr. Susan Mangiero is that "ongoing oversight is an exercise in risk management" and that "[r]isk management is a never ending process." The article emphasizes the importance of (a) examining multiple risk factors and not relying on performance numbers alone (b) understanding the presence of financial leverage (should it exist) (c) clarifying the role of a service provider when an outside party is used…

    A central thesis of "An Economist's Perspective of Fiduciary Monitoring of Investments" by Dr. Susan Mangiero is that "ongoing oversight is an exercise in risk management" and that "[r]isk management is a never ending process." The article emphasizes the importance of (a) examining multiple risk factors and not relying on performance numbers alone (b) understanding the presence of financial leverage (should it exist) (c) clarifying the role of a service provider when an outside party is used and (d) letting participants know about the type of monitoring being done by an investment committee.

    See publication
  • Muni Bonds, Pension Liabilities and Investment Due Diligence

    American Bankruptcy Institute

    This article examines topics such as financial disclosures, due diligence, pension plan funding and litigation activity as relates to the U.S. municipal bond market.

    Other authors
    See publication
  • Pension Plans: The $20 Trillion Elephant in the (Valuation) Room

    Business Valuation Update

    Company pension plans are ticking time bombs that could have a devastating impact on enterprise value. Massive underfunding, along with complicated plan economics, makes it crucial for appraisers and investors to have a solid grasp of the ins and outs of these plans and their potential consequences on value. This article examines why appraisers, private equity funds, lenders and corporate buyers need to understand the relationship between retirement plan liabilities and enterprise value.

    See publication
  • Working Effectively With A Financial Expert Witness

    American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Expert Alert

    "Working Effectively With A Financial Expert Witness" describes the role of a financial expert as someone who is hired to render analytical clarity and assist the trier of facts. This articles discusses enhancements in the area of budget-setting, clear communications and data integrity.

    See publication
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Courses

  • ASBPE Conference: Evolve or Die: The Next Wave of B2B's Digital Transformation

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  • ASJA Annual Writers Conference 2018

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  • Adobe Max Conference 2021

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  • Brandweek Masters Live 2020

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  • Business Communications 2021

    WRT 577

  • Character Arc with Donald Maass 2020

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  • Content Marketing Conference 2022

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  • Content Marketing and Corporate Storytelling 2020

    WRT 576

  • Essence of Storytelling with Chris Vogler 2020

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  • MarketingProfs B2B Forum 2020 2021 2022

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  • MarketingProfs: Measuring What Matters 2025

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  • Narrative Nonfiction Writing 2021

    WRT 571

  • Professional Speechwriters Association's Speechwriting School

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  • Revision Toolbox with Emma Dryden 2020

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  • Save the Cat Screenwriting Workshop with Ben Frahm 2016

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  • Save the Cat Storytelling Workshop with Jessica Brody 2020

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  • Script Analysis - Gotham Writers Workshop 2020

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  • Short Story Writing - Mark Twain House & Museum 2021

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  • Storytelling with Matthew Dicks 2018

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  • Tinker Mountain Writers' Retreat - Hollins University 2018

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  • Use of Humor in Business to Persuade, Enhance Brand Value and Grow Market Share 2020

    WRT 539

  • Writing Craft with Allison Dickens - Westport Writers Workshop 2019

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Languages

  • French

    -

  • English

    Native or bilingual proficiency

Organizations

  • ACES: The Society for Editing

    -

    ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation's leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students.

  • American Society of Journalists and Authors

    -

    ASJA's mission is to be "the voice and career resource for independent, entrepreneurial, professional nonfiction writers."

  • Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor

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    The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and application of humor to effect positive change.

  • Association of Ghostwriters

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    The Association of Ghostwriters is "the leading professional organization for ghostwriters of books, articles, speeches, blogs and social media content. Members are experienced ghostwriters dedicated to providing high-quality content."

  • Authors Guild

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    The Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization of writers.

  • CFA Institute

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    As per the CFA Institute website, "It is only through transparent, ethical, and truly accountable service that finance contributes to the ultimate benefit of society."

  • National Society of Newspaper Columnists

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    The National Society of Newspaper Columnists "promotes professionalism and camaraderie among columnists and other writers of the serial essay, including bloggers."

  • Professional Speechwriters Association

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    According to its website, the Professional Speechwriters Association "provides training and community for speechwriters and other communication professionals."

  • Sisters in Crime

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    Sisters in Crime is a small non-profit business league of mainly women mystery writers. Its mission is to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers.

  • Society of Professional Journalists

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    The Society of Professional Journalists is "the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior."

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