Joanna Cound is managing director and head of BlackRock's Global Public Policy Group, which engages with policy makers and regulators at the global, regional, and national levels to help address financial services policy challenges and to bring the voice of the end investor to the table. The team delivers data driven thought leadership to policy makers, clients, and industry peers, across the spectrum of financial policy issues impacting savers and investors. She is a member of BlackRock's European Executive Committee, BlackRock's Global Operating Committee and the BlackRock Group Limited Enterprise Risk Management Committee. She co-chairs the EMEA External Affairs Committee and is a member of the Global External Affairs Operating Committee. Prior to moving to this role, Joanna was international COO for BlackRock's Cash Management Group. Joanna's service with the firm dates to 1996, including her years with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM), which merged with BlackRock in 2006. Prior to joining MLIM in 1996, Joanna worked for Fidelity as head of European product development and as a marketing manager for Citibank retail bank in Germany. Joanna earned a bachelor's degree in European studies from Loughborough University and a master's degree in European studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. She also has an MBA from the London Business School. Joanna is a member of the Chatham House Council and of the human resources committee of Loughborough University. She is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar.