As the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University approaches the conclusion of its Centennial year, it will bring students and the community together for an engaging conversation about leadership, personal well-being and what it takes to achieve lasting success in both professional and personal life.
Executive-in-Residence Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann will headline “The FIT CEO: Be the Leader of Your Life” on November 18 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Fidelity Bank Ballroom at Woolsey Hall. The fireside chat will be moderated by Tina Khan, Executive Director of the Barton School’s Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD). Following the discussion, a book signing with Macieira-Kaufmann will take place at 10:30 a.m.
The conversation will explore the connection between effective leadership, personal well-being and professional success. Drawing from more than two decades in senior leadership at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, Macieira-Kaufmann will share practical perspectives on navigating challenges, building resilience, making decisions amid uncertainty and developing sustainable habits that support success in all aspects of life.
“Throughout our Centennial, we have celebrated an extraordinary 100 years while being very intentional about what we want the next 100 years of the Barton School to look like,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “That future is about creating transformative opportunities for our students and connecting them directly with accomplished leaders who are willing to share not only their successes, but also the difficult lessons that shaped them. Rebecca brings exactly that kind of experience, candor and perspective.”
Macieira-Kaufmann spent more than two decades in senior leadership roles at Citigroup and Wells Fargo. At Citigroup, she held CEO, president and managing director positions and ultimately served as Head of Citigroup’s International Personal Bank, leading a business serving the offshore wealth needs of multinational clients across more than 100 countries. Before joining Citi, she spent 13 years at Wells Fargo, where she held several senior leadership positions, including Head of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, before ultimately serving as Head of Small Business.
Throughout her career, Macieira-Kaufmann has led business turnarounds, scaled new ventures and expanded operations globally. Her experience spans sales and marketing, risk management, international business operations, organizational transformation and the digitization of the consumer experience.
Today, she is a founding member of RMK Group, LLC, where she advises CEOs of startups through various stages of growth. She also serves as an executive mentor with The ExCo Group, working with C-suite executives, succession candidates and other senior leaders, and has extensive corporate governance experience through service on public and private company boards.
Macieira-Kaufmann is also the co-author of FitCEO: Be the Leader of Your Life, which explores leadership and well-being through lessons drawn from decades of professional and personal experience. One of the principles central to her approach is what she and her co-author call “immediate and imperfect action,” the idea that progress often requires moving forward before every answer is known or every condition is perfect.
“Leadership does not come with perfect information or perfect timing,” said Macieira-Kaufmann. “I believe in immediate and imperfect action. You make the best decision you can, learn from what happens and reset when you need to. Some of the lessons that stay with us the longest come from the moments that did not go according to plan. I’m excited to have a candid conversation about those moments and what they can teach us.”
The fireside chat is one of the Barton School’s final major student-facing engagements during its Centennial year. Throughout 2026, the college has celebrated its 100-year history while creating opportunities for students, alumni and the Wichita community to engage directly with executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and thought leaders. Macieira-Kaufmann’s visit continues that emphasis while turning the conversation toward what comes next.
“Our Centennial has never been only about looking back,” Genin said. “It is about the momentum we are building for our next century. If our students leave this conversation more confident making difficult decisions, more willing to learn from mistakes and better prepared to lead when the path forward is not obvious, then we are delivering exactly the kind of real and applied learning the Barton School stands for.”
A book signing with Macieira-Kaufmann will immediately follow the fireside chat beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Event Details:
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
Book signing at 10:30 a.m.
Fidelity Bank Ballroom, Woolsey Hall
RSVP at https://www.wichita.edu/life