Solita Marcelli has come a long way from her entry-level role in equity research.
As of July, she is global head of investment management for UBS Global Wealth Management, a step up from her previous role as chief investment officer Americas. (She was ranked according to her 2024 title, Chief Investment Officer, Americas, UBS Global.) But just like she did as a researcher, she finds herself waking up in the middle of the night to jot down ideas.
"What I've learned about myself is that I still have that same spark and curiosity as I did starting a new role as I did 25 years ago," she said. "Losing a little sleep is a small price to pay for loving what I do and feeling energized every day."
Of course, there's a difference between landing a first job in research and earning an executive promotion overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under management.
As she assumes broader responsibilities, Marcelli is emphasizing the importance of a smooth handoff. Under her leadership, the Americas Investment Solutions business generated record revenues in 2024, including double-digit year-over-year growth for recurring net fee income. Advisory assets under management also hit a record high.
"It's like a relay race," Marcelli said. "Rule number one is that you can't sprint ahead and drop the baton, especially given the importance of risk management in this line of business."
But she also is setting clear priorities for her new job, an expanded role created as part of a broader realignment of UBS's investment management business. She hopes to instill a unified culture and improve collaboration across UBS's regional investment teams.
"I'm a firm believer that great ideas can come from anywhere, and honest conversations – especially across different roles and regions – are how we uncover them," she said.
A new idea may not fit every region, Marcelli acknowledged. Each has its own business model, client preferences, and tax and regulatory environment. But, she said, "Often, a solution in one region is exactly what another needs, with a few smart tweaks to make it locally relevant."
She worried at first that pushing the boundaries of global collaboration might unsettle people. But as she visited UBS investment management offices around the world, she encountered the opposite mood.
"People want to step out of their comfort zone, learn from other regions and build new connections," she said.
Marcelli has had to address more pressing concerns, as well. Over the last year, she led "volatility response" teams to reassure UBS clients during the worst bouts of market volatility, such as the swings surrounding the Trump administration tariff announcement in April.
"They often just need to understand what is going on so they can stay the course and not make costly and emotional mistakes," Marcelli said.
Outside UBS, Marcelli is co-chair of the Confronting Antisemitism Advisory Committee at the UJA-Federation of New York. The committee coordinates UJA strategies for confronting antisemitism and ensuring Jewish New Yorkers feel safe.
Marcelli also has been diving into podcasts about founders, historical leaders, athletes, artists and others. "What inspires me most is hearing what drove them – their work ethic, resilience, and creativity," she said. "I love hearing about the passion and grit it takes to achieve greatness."
