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Mark Valentino

President of Business BankingCitizens

Los Angeles, CA

Skills

Business Development
Sales
Project Management

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.

Published content

Is it time to bring on a financial advisor? 13 factors to consider

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.

14 myths about business wealth management, debunked

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.

20 strategies to manage your brand’s reputation in uncertain times

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.

16 expert strategies for solving today's workforce gaps 

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.

20 ways to build a resilient company culture in uncertain times

expert panel

To thrive through disruption, leaders must develop cultures grounded in trust, communication, and purpose. Uncertainty is inevitable in today’s business landscape, thanks to economic volatility, leadership changes, and global disruptions. But while instability can rattle even the strongest organizations, resilient cultures rise above the noise. The foundation for resilience is laid long before a crisis hits through clear values, transparent leadership, and strong interpersonal trust. To understand how today’s executives create adaptable, cohesive, and confident teams in unpredictable times, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their top strategies for cultivating resilience across their organizations.

17 best practices that help brands grow alongside their customers

expert panel

To build long-term loyalty and relevance, brands must evolve with their customers and stay aligned with their expectations. Customer expectations are constantly changing, and the most successful brands are proactive enough to anticipate them. Sales growth in the modern age is all about forging stronger relationships, building trust, and creating value at every stage of the customer journey. From real-time feedback loops to thought leadership and adaptive storytelling, business leaders are finding new ways to grow in sync with the people they serve. To that end, 17  members of the Fast Company Executive Board share the most effective practices they’ve used to evolve alongside their customers and strengthen long-term loyalty.

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.

Industry

Social impact & nonprofit

Area of focus

Banking
Financial Services

Company size

10,001 plus