Heidi Cruz: Navigating Global Finance and Policy with Purpose

Heidi Cruz is no stranger to high-stakes leadership. A Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and a former policy advisor in the Bush White House, Cruz has spent decades bridging the gap between Wall Street and Washington. Her journey, marked by global experiences, rigorous education, and personal conviction, is one of both professional impact and deeply held values.

Raised in a small town in California, Cruz grew up with a strong sense of work ethic and service. Her parents, missionaries who worked in Africa and Asia, exposed her to a world beyond American borders. She recalled how seeing the challenges of daily life in other parts of the world—such as access to clean water or education—sparked an early awareness of global inequality. These experiences shaped her interest in pursuing solutions grounded in economics and public policy.

A childhood road trip from Boston to California left a lasting impression. Passing through New York City and Washington D.C., she became fascinated by the levers of power that shape society. That curiosity eventually evolved into a career in finance and public service. She studied economics at Claremont McKenna College and went on to earn her MBA from Harvard Business School.

In college, Cruz began to understand that creating lasting change required more than direct service. She recognized that building strong economic and governmental institutions was essential to empowering individuals. These ideas fueled her interest in policy and financial strategy, and her academic focus turned toward understanding how open markets and democratic systems can support sustainable development.

She started her career at JPMorgan, where she encountered early obstacles. Without a deep quantitative background, she faced skepticism from peers. But she didn’t let that stop her. She co-authored a senior thesis on currency transitions, earned departmental honors, and used the experience to build her case for a role in international finance. Her persistence paid off, and she landed a position in JPMorgan’s Latin America division, working long hours to build the expertise she needed.

Over time, Cruz built a career that allowed her to influence both financial markets and public policy. She believes that business leaders play a crucial role in shaping effective regulation. “Policymakers in Washington know very little about the private sector,” she said. “Business leaders have to be involved—regulations only work when they’re written by people who understand how industries function.”

She’s also a firm believer in the power of innovation. Cruz highlighted how entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and

Bill Gates have helped shape the global economy—not just through their ideas, but through the uniquely American system that allowed them to thrive. For Cruz, the United States’ economic strength lies in its ability to foster big ideas and back them with capital, talent, and opportunity.

She advocates for tax policies that preserve those entrepreneurial incentives and foster long-term investment. In her view, the U.S. tax code not only shapes economic behavior, but also supports a culture of giving, growth, and personal responsibility.

Balancing a demanding career with family life hasn’t always been easy, but Cruz has managed it with intention and support. She credits her husband and their shared approach to time management with helping her prioritize what matters most. “You can’t do it all,” she noted. “There are 24 hours in a day for everyone—you have to use them on what really matters.” She also spoke about learning to be emotionally present with her children and embracing the value of unscheduled time.

Cruz has seen the finance industry evolve significantly. In the early days of her career, she experienced environments where harassment and bias went unchecked. Over the years, she has seen more awareness, better systems, and a growing focus on inclusion. She sees this cultural shift as essential to building workplaces where everyone can thrive based on their abilities, not their identity.

As she looks to the future, Cruz is optimistic about the role technology will play in shaping the economy. She believes that tools like AI and automation will continue to transform how we work, offering new opportunities to boost productivity and efficiency. She encourages young professionals to embrace these technologies while remaining grounded in their values.

Reflecting on her own journey, Cruz defines success as “keeping your fundamental values intact, and pursuing something you believe in.” Her advice to her younger self—and to today’s students—is to make space for the things that don’t always fit neatly on a resume. “Slow down a little, and focus more on the people around you. Make time for inefficient days—they’re often the most meaningful.”

The 6 Degrees team extends its heartfelt gratitude to Heidi Cruz for sharing her journey with us. Her commitment to excellence, integrity, and purpose continues to inspire future leaders across finance, policy, and beyond.