Michael J. Inserra

Michael inserra

Michael is a senior operating executive and strategic advisor with over 37 years of experience building, scaling and leading global multibillion-dollar businesses through periods of unparalleled disruption and change. He has a proven track record of augmenting business performance and delivering long-term value while fostering cultures of stewardship, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As a Board Member and executive, he has steered complex organizations through times of unprecedented crises, including the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, while helping clients pivot from a recovery and survival mindset to one of sustainable growth and profitability. He is qualified to serve as a Financial Expert under SEC and NYSE/NASDAQ rules.

Highlights

  • Led the implementation of the firm’s transformation program commencing in 2016. Board sponsored, resulting in significant changes to the business portfolio and all functional areas.
  • Resulted in $5 billion additional revenue (CAGR 6.7%) with total revenues of $17 billion.
  • Comprehensively and digitally infused functional transformation, including personnel onboarding, digital learning and revamped capital allocation/business evaluation process, resulting in $500 million in annual cost reductions.
  • Drove a methodical and disciplined change management program, often overlooked and almost always undervalued, including at the Board level to create an ‘agile-based’ set of program roll-outs that continue today.

In his role as Senior Vice Chair and Deputy Managing Partner (Deputy CEO) of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) Americas, Michael managed day-to-day operations and strategy execution for the EY Americas business, spanning 80,000 professionals, generating $17+ billion in annual revenues, and extending to 33 countries across the United States and the Americas. During his 5-year tenure as Deputy CEO, he oversaw the firm’s growth agenda, ultimately generating $5 billion revenue growth and an annual revenue compound growth rate of 6.7%. Michael architected an enterprise-wide organizational transformation to harmonize business functions through alternative business models and emerging technology, resulting in an annualized cost reduction of $500 million and the strategic reinvestment of profits back into the business. This continues as an ongoing program to transform the business. Under Michael’s direction, EY successfully pivoted its business to align with shifting consumer demands and elevated its brand as a “workforce of the future” market leader. Additionally, he led the successful integration of multiple countries within Latin America, creating the playbook being used to facilitate additional mergers.

During his career with EY, Michael audited and advised clients ranging from early stage startups to Fortune 100 companies across multiple industries including banking and capital markets, consumer products and retail, industrials, private equity, professional services, technology and wealth and asset management. He previously served as Global Client Partner of Morgan Stanley and as Senior Advisory Partner for some of EY’s most prestigious clients, including The American Express Company, State Street Corporation, The Principal Group, The Carlyle Group and The United States Army. As an Audit Partner, he has signed public (SEC) and private reports and has experience leading complex financial implementations including new accounting pronouncements, Sarbanes Oxley and SEC exam reviews.

Michael’s previous leadership roles include serving from 2013-2015 as Vice Chair and Regional Managing Partner of EY’s Financial Services Organization (FSO), where he had P&L and people management responsibilities for a $3.5 billion national business.

From 2008-2010, he left EY to join Moore Capital Management, a global investment management firm, as Chief Administrative Officer. At Moore Capital, he was responsible for oversight of capital raising and distribution, regulatory and policy matters and played an instrumental role in helping the company navigate the financial crisis. Michael also served as a member of the Board of Directors during his tenure.

Michael served as a member of the EY US and Americas Executive Boards. He previously served as Chairman of EY’s Capital and Investment Allocation Committee, Executive Sponsor for EY’s Global Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee and as a senior member of the Global Markets Investment Committee. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Board for the Fordham University Gabelli School of Business and was a member of the Board of Directors of BritishAmerican Business (BAB), the leading transatlantic trade association.

Michael is a frequent speaker and has published articles on many topics including the acceleration of agile business transformation through innovation and technology.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Science at Fordham University, College of Business Administration (CBA) in Public Accounting. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the AICPA and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He and his wife Madilyn split their time between New York and Georgia.

Present Affiliations

  • Board member Brighthouse Finance Insurance Company
  • Senior Advisor to Private Equity Firms
  • Advisor to Sell Side Entities on Capital Transactions & Liquidity Events
  • Senior Advisor to Exec. Committee, John Hopkins Precision Medicine Center
  • Member Fordham University Gabelli School Advisory Board