s the president and chief executive officer for The Western Union Company, Christina Gold is responsible for the financial and overall operational performance of the $4.9 billion company - a worldwide leader in money transfer, bill payment and prepaid services. Based at Western Union's global headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, Gold has executive management oversight of a network of over 345,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition, she oversees an employee base of over 6,000 people located in 47 countries. Prior to joining Western Union in May 2002, Gold was president and chief executive officer of telecommunications and e-commerce services provider Excel Communications. She also had a distinguished career with Avon where she served as president, Avon North America, and was credited with a significant turnaround of the cosmetic brand's U.S. business. Ms. Gold was recognized in 2003 and 2006 by Fortune magazine as one of America's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Gold was recognized in 2007 by Forbes magazine as #56 on its annual 100 Most Powerful Women list. BusinessWeek also named her as one of the top 25 U.S. managers in 1996. Gold serves on the board of directors of ITT Corporation and New York Life, and is a member of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and Global 50. Gold is a graduate of Carleton University in Ottawa. She received the Award of Distinction - Faculty of Commerce Administration from Concordia University in Montreal. She also received the Batisseur, an honorary degree from the Professional Business School of Montreal, in recognition of her distinguished service to the business community. 

Canada