Risk Manager
Resume:
Vicki Russo, CFIRS
**** ********* ****, ****** ****, New Jersey 08003
*****.*****@*****.***
Managing Director, Risk Management
- Executive Summary
Goal-driven and accomplished professional with proven leadership capabilities in risk management, compliance, business management,
auditing, and various control-related functions supporting asset and wealth management operations. Recognized for unparalleled work
ethic and extensive knowledge of global banking operations, regulatory compliance, and financial services laws. Known for analytical
problem-solving and critical thinking aptitudes in assessing situations, developing strategic action plans, and resolving complex
issues. Adept at managing group dynamics, as well as in building and leading high-caliber teams of professionals to mitigate risks and
successfully secure positive outcomes.
- Professional Experience
Bank Of New York Mellon - New York, NY
Managing Director Senior Risk Manager 2012–Present
Provide expert leadership with the implementation and continuous compliance with operational risk management framework within the
investment services business lines
Ensure that the business has established standards, controls, and guidelines for mitigating risks that might impact the business’
capital, reputation, earnings, opportunities, or operations
Thoroughly evaluate inherent and residual risk ratings, gaps, controls, and action plans to verify reasonableness
Supervise and guide employees to support their professional development to leadership roles
Collaborate with internal general counsel, compliance, and business owners to audit proposed contracts for compliance with new
business guidelines and processes
Key Highlights:
Actively contributed to the establishment of a culture of business, compliance, and operational risk management, as well as on
operational excellence for all domestic and international lines of business (LOBs)
Closely worked with peers and corporate risk management to standardize process, governance, and reporting across investment services
and the firm
Took part in change management projects related to new products, upgrades, system replacements, and outsourcing activities; which
involved supporting the LOB managers in completing scorecards and risk assessments determining risks, level of risks, and mitigants
related to the project
Formulated processes to routinely determine, track, assess, and report on high, medium, and emerging risk elements for senior
management
TD Bank, NA - Cherry Hill, NJ (2007–2012)
Vice President Risk Analyst, Dodd-Frank Act 2011–2012
Analyzed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) institutional statues, and appraised business
line senior management of its key components and business impact
Contributed to the creation of LOB compliance programs
Key Highlights:
Rendered effectual support to the drafting of the bank’s and the Financial Industry Association’s comment letters in response to
proposed rulemakings
Extensively examined key risk factors and potential risk exposure resulting from the rulemaking activities of different bank
regulatory agencies to support the development and implementation of new bank policies and procedures arising from the passage of the
Dodd-Frank Act
Vice President Wealth Management Risk Officer 2008–2011
Fully utilized extensive risk management expertise to support business leaders and contribute to the implementation of appropriate
risk framework
Led research and analysis functions to integrate and implement key risk management practices
Participated in the development and deployment of a framework to verify the robustness of risk and control self-assessments (RCSA)
Oversaw various risk initiatives, such as RCSA, business continuity management (BCM), and key risk indicators (KRI) reporting
Directed root cause analysis and effectively handled the aggregation, collection, and verification of potential risk and losses
factors for Wealth Management
Key Highlights:
Spearheaded risk management activities to minimize enterprise- or business-wide risk exposures for a key business segment
Collaborated with corporate risk management in creating and implementing risk management guidelines and mitigation processes
Coordinated with LOB managers in evaluating business risks, developing an effective escalation framework, and ensuring the
implementation of detective and preventative controls to minimize risk
Functioned as the subject matter expert for risk management committees and working groups
Vice President Asset Management Manager 2007–2008
Produced and verified compliance, fiduciary, and regulatory risks reports for the senior management
Formulated and maintained policies and procedures for Commerce Bank Asset Management
Expertly managed the Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act function of the business line
Functioned as systems administrator, which involved overseeing system access rights of employees and web-based clients
Key Highlights:
Effectively handled all aspects of the business resumption plan for Commerce Bank Asset Management encompassing four office locations
Supervised and developed trust and investment management processes while ascertaining alignment with the $3B asset management business
operating procedures
Assumed responsibility in ensuring establishment of internal controls to manage business compliance and fiduciary risks, along with
communicating risks to senior management
Wachovia Bank, NA - Philadelphia, PA (1992–2006)
Vice President Director of Accounting Processes and Controls Institutional Custody Group 2004–2006
Built a team of staff-level employees and professionals to support the development of methodologies and quantitative tools to assess
market, operating, and regulatory risk for a $100M revenue-producing business line
Skillfully managed functional risk assessments for both domestic and international trust operations, which involved reviewing risk
areas and determining variations in risk levels
Formulated and executed quarterly attestation processes to maintain adherence to current Sarbanes-Oxley legislation
Key Highlights:
Oversaw a team of 16 to complete 400 cash and securities reconciliations at different frequencies, as well as analyzing daily
overdraft activity, suspense and demand deposit accounts, and business continuity plans for 12 office locations
Formulated an enhanced financial reporting process to corporate accounting by centralizing the reconcilement process and implementing
a computerized database of all accounts
Automated reconcilements which increased staff productivity, reduced staffing by 18%, and saved expenses by $200K
Rendered support to corporate compliance in implementing automated anti-money laundering programs for account level and transaction
activity monitoring to comply with PATRIOT Act requirements
Implemented improved business processes for more than 300 non-resident alien (NRA) tax withholdings to enable the business line to
withhold correct income percentage, remit funds, and avoid $100K in penalties and interests
Earlier Positions Held:
Vice President & Trust Compliance Officer
Senior Internal Auditor
- Education and Credentials
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS)
Cannon Financial Institute: Completed the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management School
- Training
TD Bank’s Women in Leadership Mentoring Program
Wachovia Bank’s Leadership Training
Regulatory Training: Privacy, Patriot Act, Ethics, and Know-Your Customer
- Affiliations
Financial Services Roundtable Capital & Leverage and Stress Testing Working Groups
Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management Association, Inc. (FIRMA)
Philadelphia Fiduciary Risk Management and Compliance Roundtable
American Bankers Association - Key Risk Indicators Benchmarking Working Group
- Community Involvement
The Little Rock Foundation Special Olympics Nation MS Society’s Philadelphia and New York Bike Rides
Susan G. Komen, Walk For The Cure
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