A strategy is only as good as its implementationFrom tech start-ups to large enterprises, to government, Ms. Minerva Tantoco is focused on digital transformation, applied innovation, creating future-facing tech strategies and implementing them to build great businesses that turn strategy into reality.
Innovator, investor, part of three startups, and pioneer in mobile technology, Minerva Tantoco served as New York City’s first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Appointed in 2014, Tantoco directed the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation. As CTO, Tantoco launched groundbreaking initiatives in smart city policy and government tech, such as LinkNYC, CSforAll, Neighborhoods.NYC, the first-ever IoT Guidelines for New York City, and NYC’s Smart+Equitable City Strategy. Based on her efforts, New York City was named "2016 Best Smart City" at the Global Smart City Awards. Ms. Minerva Tantoco also served as Senior Product Manager at Palm, Chief Technology Officer at Merrill Lynch and UBS, and holds four US patents on intelligent workflow. Minerva Tantoco is a frequent speaker and her article on Equitable and Smart City Strategy was published by Techonomy and the World Economic Forum. and her bio was featured in Forbes. Minerva Tantoco was named to the 2024 Business Transformation 150, an elite list that recognizes top executives leading business transformations, by Constellation Research |
Background |
A problem-solver and innovator – from launching her own start-up to directing technology and innovation for large enterprises – Tantoco implemented business transformations across a range of industries from advertising to finance. While still in college, Tantoco co-founded Silicon Valley technology startup, Manageware Inc, which was successfully sold five years later. Since then, Tantoco has led technology initiatives including artificial intelligence, e-commerce, data management, and mobile applications.
As Senior Product Manager at Palm, Tantoco pioneered mobile enterprise solutions in the early 2000s, blazing the trail in developing and deploying some of the world’s earliest mobile applications. As Chief Architect at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Tantoco led the re-design and implementation of the company’s Investment Banking data warehouse. Prior to her appointment to the NYC Mayor's Office, Tantoco served as UBS APAC CTO for client-facing technology and innovation, with regional responsibility for the Asia Pacific region. Most recently, Minerva Tantoco co-founded Grasshopper Bank. which raised a record $131M in seed and capital funds, building a digital commercial bank from scratch. The bank launched in 2019. Ms. Tantoco is passionate about Tech for Good, and Inclusion in Tech, and is an entrepreneur and investor, and is a frequent speaker on technology topics for financial services. |
Other Positions |
Board Member, Vyv, formerly Vital Vio
Board of Trustees, New York Hall of Science London Ambassador, City of London Technology Council, Alliance for Innovative Regulation Member, Women's Forum of New York Member, NYCTO Club |