Skills
About
With over 17 years of experience in the financial and healthcare sectors, I am a seasoned executive, investor, and business builder. I currently lead the Business Banking division at Citizens, one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, where I oversee the strategy, operations, and growth of our commercial banking products and services for small and medium-sized businesses across the country. I am also passionate about supporting and mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and innovators in the healthcare, fin-tech, and other related industries. I invest in and advise early-stage companies and founders, leveraging my expertise in corporate finance, capital markets, and investing to help them create and scale solutions that address the challenges and opportunities in the banking and healthcare sectors. My mission is to use my skills and experience to make a positive impact on the economy, society, and environment.
Mark Valentino
Published content
expert panel
It’s often the small, everyday habits that cause the biggest frustrations at work. While technical skills and polished communication matter, it’s self-awareness that often sets people apart as strong teammates and effective leaders. Still, plenty of professionals fall into patterns—like talking over others, missing details, or failing to follow through—that make collaboration harder than it needs to be. These habits might seem harmless in the moment, but over time, they can lead to confusion, slow progress, and strained working relationships. To that end, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share the business protocol pet peeves they wish more people would recognize (and overcome) to create a more respectful, productive workplace.
expert panel
Make each annual conference more than a calendar commitment and turn it into a springboard for growth, insight and connection. Annual business conferences can easily become routine—another event on the calendar, another round of sessions and handshakes. But with the right approach, these gatherings can deliver far more than surface-level inspiration. Whether you’re attending to learn, leading a session, or using the event to align and energize your team, the real value lies in how you prepare, participate, and follow through. Below, 20 members of Fast Company Executive Board share their expert tips for getting the most out of your annual conference, year after year.
expert panel
The right financial advisor can help leaders of a growing business make smarter decisions and stay resilient in the face of change. As a business evolves, there often comes a point when leaders need expert guidance to manage complex finances, plan for growth, and protect what they’ve built. While a professional's qualifications are important, there are many other factors to weigh when choosing a professional in the finance world that you can trust. It's crucial to find someone whose approach, ethics, and understanding of your business truly align—and when you do, it can have a positive impact on your company's long-term success. To help you make this important decision, Fast Company Executive Board members share 13 key questions to think about before inviting a financial advisor into your inner circle.
expert panel
When it comes to building and protecting wealth, too many business leaders fall for myths and misconceptions that cost them in the long run. At its core, wealth management is about making thoughtful decisions to grow, protect, and pass on what you’ve built. For business leaders, that means managing not just personal finances but also how money moves through their companies, covering everything from tax strategy and risk management to succession planning. However, several common and persistent myths and missteps can stall or even hinder your financial well-being. To help you avoid these pitfalls, 14 Fast Company Executive Board members debunk the most common business wealth management myths and share what leaders should remember instead.
expert panel
Your brand's reputation doesn't have to waver just because the market does. In an unpredictable market, your brand’s reputation can feel simultaneously more fragile and more important than ever. A single misstep, a poorly handled crisis, or a lack of clear communication can erode trust faster than it’s built. To help you avoid a PR crisis, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices for managing brand reputation. Follow their advice to strengthen and protect your brand, no matter the external circumstances.
expert panel
Businesses facing persistent workforce gaps must adopt smarter, more adaptive strategies to stay competitive. Hiring freezes. Burned-out teams. Critical roles left unfilled for months. Labor shortages are forcing business owners to rethink how work gets done—and fast. Some are turning to automation while others are reshaping roles or tapping into overlooked talent sources. What they share is a willingness to act decisively and restructure for impact. To help you find your edge, 16 Fast Company Executive Board members reveal the strategies that are helping them close workforce gaps and keep momentum strong.
Company details
Citizens
Company bio
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the United States' oldest and largest financial institutions, with a history dating back to 1828. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations, and institutions.