Citywealth Leaders List, 60 second interview – Lisette Cooper, Fiduciary Trust International

Date: 25 Feb 2026

Karen Jones

This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Lisette Cooper, Vice Chair at Fiduciary Trust International.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

As Vice Chair of Fiduciary Trust International, I oversee many long-term client relationships and serve as a senior advisor to the leadership of Fiduciary and Franklin Templeton. I also help lead our sustainable and impact investing practice, partnering with clients to align long-term capital with positive social and financial outcomes.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My days span client conversations, investment and stewardship discussions, and collaboration across Franklin Templeton, with time dedicated to mentoring and advancing sustainable investment initiatives.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.

Clients are increasingly seeking sophisticated, tailored solutions – from tax-managed equity strategies and private investments to understanding how AI and emerging technologies will reshape markets and society. At the same time, many want their portfolios to reflect their values, whether around climate risk, digital accountability, or gender equity, without compromising returns.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Many of our clients are navigating significant life events – the death of a spouse, divorce, or ensuring financial security for children and grandchildren. These moments require not just investment expertise, but judgment, empathy, and long-term perspective. At the same time, markets remain complex and volatile. We help clients bring clarity to both, aligning their portfolios with their evolving goals while providing disciplined, steady guidance through change.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Facilitating the first major shareholder engagement on child safety at Meta. The proposal earned more than $350 billion in shareholder support and prompted meaningful engagement with the company. It led to improvements in child safety practices online, including enhanced age-verification measures designed to better protect children from interacting with unknown adults.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Integrity, courage, and the ability to listen – especially when decisions are difficult or long-term.

Who do you most admire and why?

Leaders who use influence responsibly to create systemic change and expand opportunity for others.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

Most recently, I was at Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I have a PhD in geochemistry, so perhaps I would have been an entrepreneur in the energy sector, developing technologies aimed at delivering clean, abundant energy for the benefit of society and the planet. And who knows, maybe that’s still ahead of me after I retire from finance.

How do you relax after a long day?

I enjoy sharing a fine bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with my partner while we cook together, or heading to our local beach club for a relaxed, casual meal.

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