Committee: Vice Chairman of Executive
Michael Hegarty’s career spans almost 40 years in the business world and is defined by numerous leadership positions. He served as Senior Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of AXA Financial (1998-2001). In addition, Mr. Hegarty was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Financial. He also was a member of the Boards of AXA Financial, Equitable Life, Alliance Capital and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”). From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Hegarty served as Vice Chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, following his position as Vice Chairman of Chemical Banking Corporation and as Senior Executive Vice President of Manufacturers Hanover Trust. Mr. Hegarty has led or been a principal player in strategic acquisitions and divestitures both at AXA and Chemical / Chase; this would include AXA’s sale of DLJ and the mergers of Manufacturers Hanover Trust and Chemical Bank and Chemical Bank and Chase Manhattan.
Mr. Hegarty’s management responsibilities covered a broad spectrum of finance, investment and asset management and business operations and technology. In his leadership role in banking, he served as head or co-head of retail and consumer banking including mortgage banking, investment funds management, credit card, consumer and branch operations and products. He also oversaw energy banking, middle market banking and real estate finance.
Since leaving AXA Financial, Mr. Hegarty has continued his involvement in investment management, real estate and corporate leadership. He currently serves as a trustee of MFS Funds, a Massachusetts based $100 billion investment management company. He is a director of Madison Marquette, a privately held real estate investment and management company focused on lifestyle malls and he is an investor and director of Strongwood Insurance, a California based P & C company. Mr. Hegarty is Chairman of the Historic Hudson Valley, Chairman of Community Preservation Corporation, a Trustee of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and of Marymount University, and is a Founding Trustee of the Briarcliff Manor Educational Foundation. He also served as Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House of New York. From 1991 to 2002, he was a Trustee of Iona College and has served as Chairman of Heart Share Human Services and President of the Sky Club.
Mr. Hegarty’s leadership experience includes his military service. He served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970, and left as a Captain and Bronze Star recipient. He continues his service as a Trustee of the Marine Corps Association. Mr. Hegarty is a graduate of Iona College and attended New York University Graduate School of Business.
