Back to top

Photograph of Robert Sicina

Robert Sicina Professorial Lecturer Department of Management

Contact
Robert Sicina
(202) 885-1858 (Office)
KSB | Management
3201 New Mexico Avenue NW 330
Mon & Thu 11:30am - 12:30pm; Thur 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Degrees
BSEE--Syracuse University
MBA Finance--Syracuse University

Favorite Spot on Campus
Al Dente
Bio
Professor Sicina has 30 years of experience in senior executive positions at Citibank, American Express and various entrepreneurial endeavors. He worked for fourteen years in Latin America for Citibank, where he served as Country Manager of Colombia and Division Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He became CFO of Citibank's entire International Consumer Group and later, of Citibank's US credit card business. Professor Sicina subsequently joined American Express and went on to become President of American Express Bank Ltd. and a member of its Board of Directors. Subsequently, he was named President of the Latin American Division for the corporation. Professor Sicina has since worked in executive positions of several entrepreneurial endeavors. As part of his course work, he leads student teams that work virtually to help entrepreneurs in challenging regions create business plans. He is also the author of the book, "Learn from Failure: The Key to Successful Decision Making."
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • IBUS-303 Learn From Failure

  • IBUS-471 Peace Through Entrepreneurship

Fall 2024

  • IBUS-303 Learn From Failure

  • IBUS-471 Peace Through Entrepreneurship

AU Experts

Area of Expertise

Emerging markets, international finance, international banking, global business strategy

Additional Information

Robert Sicina joined the International Business Department of the Kogod School of Business at American University after more than 30 years of experience in senior executive positions at Citibank, American Express, and various entrepreneurial endeavors. He worked for 13 years in Latin America for Citibank, holding several corporate banking positions, and later became CFO of Citibank's entire International Consumer Group. Following that assignment, Sicina was named CFO of Citibank's U.S. credit card business, where he led Citibank's entry into the nascent credit card securitization market, successfully issuing more than $20 billion in securities in three years. He joined American Express in 1992 and went on to become president of its commercial bank and a member of its board of directors. Subsequently, he was named president of the Latin American Division of the corporation. Since departing American Express, Sicina has worked both as a consultant to and directly in key operational positions of various entrepreneurial endeavors. He has consulted for many medium and large publicly held firms in the financial service industry in the areas of strategy, organizational design, and finance. He is currently actively involved in “peace through commerce” activities working with NGOs and leading student teams that help entrepreneurs in conflict areas like Afghanistan and Iraq develop business plans to attract funding. He also teaches various education programs for Chinese executives.

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Related Links