Melanie Ragan

Castle Rock, CO ***** 303-***-**** ad3yov@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/melanieragan1

Financial Crimes Risk Management Leader

Business Solutions Risk Management Program Leadership Financial Services

Master’s educated senior-level BSA/AML EDD professional with extensive experience providing leadership and direction needed to drive the achievement of key organizational compliance-related business goals and objectives. Able to lead high-performing teams in identifying areas of concern, and implementing strategy based on best practices to ensure compliance with strict industry and regulatory rules and regulations while decreasing risk to the organization. Proven strength in building and maintaining long-term, professional relationships with strategic business partners and BSA/AML stakeholders, developing trust through the effectiveness of the leadership, solutions, and support provided. Recognized for delivering exceptional results while leading in fast-paced, highly regulated business environments.

Areas of Expertise

BSA/AML Regulations

Staff Development

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

Risk Analysis & Investigation

Compliance Best Practices

Strategic Business Relationships

Training, Coaching, Mentoring

Business Process Improvement

Strategy & Execution

Regulatory Compliance

Stakeholder Communication

Change Management

Professional Designations

Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) – Association of Certified Financial Crimes Specialists (ACFCS)

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) - ACAMS

FINRA Series 7, 9/10, and 63 Licensed, Formerly FINRA Series 6 and 26 Licensed

Professional Experience

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO. INC., Lone Tree, CO 2014 - Present

Senior Manager, BSA/AML EDD/CDD Team, (2016 – Present)

Ensure quality, proper risk evaluation/mitigation for high-risk clients, Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) referrals, and business escalation while improving overall departmental quality and effectiveness. Responsible for evaluating the risk clients pose to the firm and making exit decisions for brokerage and bank clients.

Expertise in multiple complex businesses such as Money Service Businesses, Casinos and Gambling, Tribal accounts, marijuana-related businesses (MRBs), fintech, and cryptocurrency.

Well-versed in the CDD rule for beneficial ownership, CDD, EDD, KYC, OFAC, CTF, PEPs, SARs, adverse media, fraud, and CIP. Strong and thorough investigation skills.

Responsible for writing, editing, and approving EDD memos and all aspects of quality assurance for the EDD team.

Support and drive successful changes in processes and procedures while serving as a leader among the team, championing ideas that make a difference for the group and company.

Partner with peer leaders to respond to internal audit inquiries and regulatory exams.

Notable achievements while in the position have included:

oRecognized as a top performer with productivity four times more than that of peers and 100% quality.

oServe as a preferred partner in complex cases, reviewing clients involved in emerging industries, and answering a broad range of questions regarding policy and procedure.

oHelped design the current quality assurance process which improved reporting accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness while expanding oversight to all workflows.

oAcknowledged as an influential thought partner in redesigning the EDD and Periodic EDD Review processes and memo templates to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

oCreated and successfully facilitated numerous training courses on AML topics such as AML Red Flags, Entity Structures/CDD Rule, and Form 990 analysis.

oDeveloped and implemented risk tolerance training for Sr. Specialists responsible for Periodic EDD Reviews, resulting in dramatically improved quality scores.

oRecognized as a preferred subject matter expert (SME) and resource for Senior Specialists, EDD Managers, EDD Senior Managers, Senior Team Managers, the Senior Managing Director, and business partners.

oHighly regarded as a trusted source and thought leader for change management, efficiency maximization, and relationship-building advice at the team and management level.

Team Manager, Customer Verification and Research Center (CVRC), (2014 – 2016)

Led a dynamic, high-performing team of up to 14 analysts in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment for the firm’s Customer Identification Program (CIP) and PATRIOT Act Verification (PAV).

Assisted with questions and escalations regarding PAV and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) issues, which included knowledge of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) guidelines.

Worked with internal business partners to provide the best client experience with analysis and guidance to resolve complex situations and solutions to facilitate passing PAV.

Provided motivation, inspiration, guidance, support, and ongoing feedback to team members through monthly one-on-ones and direct feedback while sitting with each rep to teach and develop processing skills and phone behaviors to drive performance improvement and employee engagement.

Analyzed the quality of each team member's phone calls and provided input and recommendations during weekly calibration sessions with CVRC management to improve the overall process and clarify procedures.

Responsible for annual updates to several CVRC departmental procedures, including the Outstanding 64 Report, Acceptable Alternative TIN/SSN Documents, Lexis Nexis Bridger Record Statuses, Employee Branch Screening Process, Enhanced Out of Wallet (OOW) Checklist, and Online Authentication.

Proactively assessed risks with current guidelines and ensured changes were updated as necessary.

Directed the daily completion of all Lexis Nexis Bridger alerts and phone service levels and ensured pending items were completed within our Plan of Supervision (POS) guidelines.

WALMART, Commerce City/Denver, CO 2009 - 2014

Shift Manager, Co-Manager

Served as a senior-level manager with an elevated level of responsibility for all day-to-day operations of a workforce of 400+ associates in a complex, diverse, and fast-paced environment in a facility producing $97M+ in annual sales.

Led direct reports consisting of nine salaried assistant managers, accountable at all levels for providing consistent feedback and driving a passion for excellence.

Drove sales and profitability and met budgets by ensuring effective merchandising and stock, along with teaching and training associates on managing freight flow and increasing initial margin.

Reviewed reports to analyze liabilities and operational issues and to find ways to improve store profitability through improved work practices and minimizing expenses.

Used Coaching by Walking Around (CBWA) to provide feedback to all associates and to demonstrate the 10-foot attitude in helping customers for store associates to see.

Responsible for communication with executive levels of management at the Market and Regional levels.

In charge of the change management process for all corporate initiatives, including system or process changes and updates.

Investigated all policy breaches from a Human Resources Management perspective, including violations of any policy such as Discrimination and Harassment or the Workplace Violence Policy, by conducting in-depth interviews and making decisions about accountability.

Actively trained new managers on job functions and the many reports available to improve their business.

Identified, developed, and leveraged talent in the store to increase bench strength for movement and promotions within the store and company and set the standard for continuous improvement.

Managed applications for financial grants and donations from the community to ensure the store appropriately served and met community needs.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Supervisor, Call Center, Correspondence, Walk-In Customer Service – OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Regis University, Denver, CO

Graduated Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.97/4.0

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – National American University, Denver, CO

Graduated Summa Cum Laude, GPA: 3.99/4.0

Professional Affiliations

Member – ACAMS National and Colorado Chapters

Member – ACFCS National and Colorado Chapters

Member – Regis University Alumni Association

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