Mark La Penta brings over three decades of executive experience at the intersection of technology, banking, and operations. As a former CIO of Bank Leumi and MetLife Bank, and a Principal at leading consulting firms, Mark has led multi-year enterprise transformations across core systems, IT operations, cloud platforms, and organizational redesigns.

At Core System Partners, Mark guides clients through the realities of transforming complex financial institutions. Whether modernizing infrastructure, managing vendor portfolios, or responding to regulatory pressure, he brings practical insight and executive-level perspective. His broad expertise spans technology strategy, capital planning and merger integration. Everything is grounded in an understanding of what it takes to move both technology and people forward.

Clients and peers value Mark’s rare blend of technical depth, executive presence, and calm leadership. He’s especially effective in moments of transition, helping institutions make clear decisions and stay focused on long-term impact.

He remains active as a mentor in Columbia University’s Executive Master’s program in Technology Management and continues to speak and write about the evolving role of IT leadership in financial services.

“Transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about aligning leadership