Synchrony Selects Carol Juel to Lead Digital Platform as Bart Schaller Retires

Synchrony has announced three executive leadership changes as Bart Schaller retires from the consumer financial services company, where he most recently served as executive vice president and CEO of its Digital platform.

Schaller will be succeeded in those roles by Carol Juel, who most recently served as Synchrony’s executive vice president, chief technology and operating officer, where she led the company’s Technology and Operations organization, Synchrony said in a Monday (June 29) press release.

Synchrony President and CEO Brian Doubles said in the release: “Bart has been an extraordinary leader for our company, and we’re grateful for his contributions. Carol is the right leader to build on that foundation by leading our Digital platform. She brings a digital-first mindset as well as deep technology and innovation experience to help us deliver even more for our partners and customers.”

Synchrony also announced in the release that its Technology team will now be led by Florin Arghirescu, who has been promoted to executive vice president and chief technology officer. Arghirescu previously served as the company’s senior vice president and chief product officer, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The company’s Operations organization will now be led by DJ Casto, who has been named executive vice president, chief people and operations officer. Casto, who was previously executive vice president and chief human resources officer, according to his LinkedIn profile, will continue to lead human resources as well.

Doubles said in the release: “Florin has the technical depth and enterprise perspective to accelerate our AI momentum and advance our technology strategy, and DJ has a proven track record developing talent and leading large teams that support customers every day.”

Speaking of the three appointments, Doubles said: “These leaders will help us continue delivering for our partners and customers, accelerate AI adoption, advance emerging areas like agentic commerce, and build the talent and platforms that will drive our next phase of growth and value for our stakeholders.”

Synchrony’s investments in technology, particularly in cloud infrastructure and digital capabilities, have contributed to a higher efficiency ratio, Synchrony Chief Financial Officer Brian Wenzel told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster in an interview posted in April.

The company expects those investments to streamline operations and improve leverage over time, and expects AI to improve call centers, merchant onboarding efforts and other operations, Wenzel said.