Zachary Townsend

Zachary Townsend is an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, specializing in business building within the financial services sector and human capital management. His career has been marked by a blend of experiences in both the startup ecosystem and government roles. Notably, he served as the inaugural Chief Data Officer for the State of California and as a Senior Technology and Innovation Advisor to Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker.

Townsend co-founded Standard Treasury, a startup that developed API platforms for banks and fintech companies, which was later acquired by Silicon Valley Bank. He has been recognized for his contributions to enterprise technology, being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Math-Economics and Public Policy from Brown University, and a Master of Public Administration in Public Finance and Statistical Methods from New York University.

In addition to his professional roles, Townsend is actively involved in civic and social initiatives. He has written for various publications, including the Financial Times and TechCrunch, on topics related to financial services and technology. He also serves on the Board of Governors at the San Francisco Symphony and has been affiliated with several educational institutions, contributing to discussions on technology and policy innovation.123