Tim James’s career spans the public and private sectors. Prior to co-founding Elevate, Tim served as Enterprise Head of Funds Transfer at State Street Bank, a global financial institution overseeing $42 trillion in assets. In this role, he led global operations ensuring the secure and efficient movement of funds across banking systems worldwide.

Tim’s earlier roles at State Street included serving as Global Business Continuity Director for the Compliance Department, where he oversaw enterprise-wide initiatives to strengthen regulatory resilience and operational preparedness. He also worked in consultant relations, helping build partnerships with leading consulting firms, and played a key role in crafting market entry strategies for South and Central America.

Before joining State Street, Tim managed a $1.9 billion systems engineering contract for the U.S. Air Force, regularly briefing top Pentagon executives. He began his career as an intern in the office of Newton Mayor Setti Warren.

In 2022, Tim was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar, where he gained insights from Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He serves on the program’s alumni council and maintains strong connections with current and former administration leaders.

Tim is a former Chair of the Lenny Zakim Fund, which has awarded over 1,600 grants and millions of dollars to grassroots organizations creating lasting change since its founding in 1995. He also serves on the board of Building Impact and is a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing insights on leadership and communication. Tim holds an Executive MBA from Brown University and IE Business School.