My Experience

Director of Operations, AskDegree LLC.

About the company:

Askdegree LLC is a boutique firm specialized in compliance and risk management. The firm provides BPO of compliance functions to tech companies, overseeing industry specific compliance in financial services and healthcare, and risk management in areas like TPRM, AI Risk Management and Information Security. The company serves clients like Wallmart’s ONE Finance, Jetty, Gravy Stack, etc.

About the position:

As a Director of Compliance Operations, my work focused on:

• Operationalizing Risk Management: Designed and Implemented a streamlined Risk Assessment process to assess the compliance and security posture of tech companies.
• Establishing Compliance Frameworks: Managed the integration of compliance procedures with operational processes, mitigating impact, disruptions and friction among activities and stakeholders in different client companies.
• Policy Development and Implementation: Authored and revised company-wide policies and procedures that enforced compliance standards while facilitating business operations.
• Audit and Investigation Management: Led internal audits and investigations into compliance issues, resolving problems before they could impact the company significantly. This often includes collaborating with external regulators and auditors. As part of this, I Implemented Monitoring and Testing Programs for different risk areas such as AML, Complaints Management, Fair Lending, FCRA, FDCPA, TPRM, Privacy, etc, for different fintech companies.
• Training and Development: Created and delivered effective training programs for employees and management on compliance-related topics, significantly increasing awareness and reducing incidents of non-compliance.
• Technology Integration: Spearheaded the adoption of legal and compliance technology solutions that increased departmental efficiencies and improved data accuracy and accessibility.
• Cost Reduction: Implemented strategies that reduced legal and compliance costs without compromising on quality or compliance standards.
• Compliance Tools Development: Developed and integrated operational and compliance tools to manage service fulfillment for different risk management and compliance programs.
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Postgraduate Professor of AML, CFT and Regulatory Compliance,

Tax and Business Institute.

About the entity:

FOTRIEM tax and business school is a leading private business training center which has that has been granted the category of faculty by the National Council of Higher Education, and offers as such, the training and certification required for the registration of professionals as compliance officers for the prevention of money laundering and against the financing of terrorism.

As a Postgraduate School Professor, my work focused on:

• Mentoring: Preparing Professionals for AML & CFT Government Certification
• Training: Financial Intelligence & Investigation (for Lawyers and Accountants)
• Teaching: Regulatory Compliance Operations Management
• Coaching: Compliance Officers for Financial Institutions
• Researching: New techniques and advanced technologies in the realm of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) for development and implementation.
• Harmonizing: Legal requirements with international best practices to build updated compliance guidelines and playbooks.

Investment Operations Manager, Synarchys Corp.

About the company:

Synarchys is a BPO service provided for private funds helping managers to handle multiple investment strategies, multi-jurisdictional structures and relentless regulatory changes, though a management platform that provides domain expertise to help private capital funds to maximize the value of investments across the whole spectrum of asset classes in different industries including private equity, real estate, precious metals and commodities, digital and data assets, private debt and fund-of-funds.

About the position:

As the Investment Operations Manager, my work focused on:

• Streamlined Operations: Successfully redesigned and streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy in investment reporting, fund accounting, and client billing. Including automating processes and optimizing workflow.
• Compliance and Regulatory Management: Ensured rigorous compliance with regulatory requirements specific to private funds, including SEC regulations and AIFMD. Implemented robust controls and monitoring systems to preempt compliance issues.
• Client Onboarding and Support: Played a key role in the onboarding of new clients, including major private equity funds and hedge funds, ensuring a smooth transition and setup of operational services. Also enhanced client satisfaction through proactive operational support.
• Risk Management: Developed and implemented risk management frameworks to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks related to counter-party risk, TPRM, investment transactions and client data management.
• Technology Implementation: Led the adoption and integration of financial technology solutions, such as portfolio management systems and CRM/ERM platforms, which resulted in improved data integrity and client communication.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Improved the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting for clients, including net asset value calculations, performance metrics, and investment analytics, which facilitated better decision-making.
• Team Leadership and Development: Built and managed a high-performing operations team, providing training and career development opportunities to enhance expertise in private fund operations.
• Vendor Management: Negotiated and managed relationships with third-party service providers, including auditors, custodians, and technology providers, ensuring quality services at cost-effective rates.
• Cost Reduction and Operational Efficiency: Identified and implemented cost-saving measures that reduced operational expenses without compromising service quality or client deliverables.

Investment Research & Project Manager, Orlando Finance Inc.

About the company:

Orlando Finance is an investment company that raises capital from Sovereign Funds and Family Offices to invest in the acquisition of productive projects and income-generating real estate around the world. The company has been responsible for financing prestigious hotel and residential developments in the USA, Europe and South America. The company also operates extensively in private equity, specializing in industrial projects with underlying real estate value.

About the position:

As the Investment Projects and Research Manager, my work focused on:

• Global Team Leadership: Managed research teams across four countries, coordinating cross-border market analyses and investment research efforts, which played a critical role in identifying high-potential investment opportunities.
• Executive Team Management: Led executive teams tasked with prospecting investment opportunities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and maximizing the efficiency of investment scouting processes across different regions.
• Opportunity Analysis and Presentation: Vetted potential investment prospects through rigorous analysis and due diligence, preparing and delivering compelling presentations to shareholders and clients that clearly communicated investment value, risks, and strategic fit.
• Portfolio Construction: Built a diverse private equity portfolio consisting of commercial and industrial companies, each with underlying real estate assets. This strategy not only diversified risk but also maximized returns through cross-sectoral synergies.
• Portfolio Performance Oversight: Actively oversaw the performance of the investment portfolio, implementing continuous performance monitoring mechanisms and making strategic adjustments to enhance value creation.
• Market Entry Strategy Development: Developed and executed market entry strategies for new regions, successfully navigating complex regulatory environments and cultural landscapes to establish a firm foothold and drive investment growth.
• Financial Modeling and Strategic Analysis: Created advanced financial models and conducted strategic analyses to forecast investment outcomes, providing a robust basis for making informed and data-driven investment decisions.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local partners, financial institutions, and governmental bodies, which were crucial for facilitating smooth investment processes and negotiations in foreign markets.
• Innovative Financing Solutions: Designed and implemented innovative financing solutions tailored to the unique characteristics of international markets, enhancing capital efficiency and leveraging favorable financial conditions.

Business Research Manager, Condo Developer LLC subsidiary of Orlando Finance Inc.

About the company:

Condo Developer LLC is the real estate investment arm of Orlando Finance Inc operating as a fully owned subsidiary. The company specializes in the acquisition and management of distressed development projects, and the financing of new residential projects in USA, EU and LATAM. Their portfolio includes iconic properties such as The Vue at Lake Eola in Orlando, Hotel Suecia in Madrid, and the Coast Hotels in Seattle, formerly known as West Coast Hotels.

About the position:

As the Business Research Manager, my work focused on:

• International Business Development: Spearheaded international acquisitions by identifying and evaluating distressed development projects and income-producing properties across the USA, EU, and LATAM, leading to significant portfolio growth and geographic expansion.
• Strategic Partnerships Development: Developed strategic partnerships with local and international investors, expanding the firm's reach and capacity to offer diversified investment products. These partnerships enhanced the firm’s competitive edge in acquiring high-value assets.
• Investment Strategy Formulation: Played a key role in formulating investment strategies that focused on the acquisition and turnaround of distressed development projects, delivering substantial returns on investment.
• Portfolio Diversification: Successfully diversified the firm’s investment portfolio by incorporating a mix of residential, hospitality, and property management projects, enhancing risk management and revenue streams.
• Field Investigations and Owner Negotiations: Personally traveled to various international locations to assess property conditions, meet with property owners, and gain a first-hand understanding of the local market dynamics, which enhanced the accuracy of investment appraisals and deal structuring.
• Deal Framing and Negotiation: Framed and negotiated complex deals for acquiring distressed and income-producing properties, effectively preparing the investment prospects for approval and financing. This included structuring terms that maximized value while minimizing risk.
• Leadership and Reporting from LATAM: Managed the research and reporting processes from the Latin American offices, ensuring seamless communication and alignment with the USA headquarters. Provided insights that were pivotal in shaping the firm’s investment strategies in the region.
• Cross-Market Regulatory Alignment: Ensured all business development and investment activities aligned with regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, maintaining high standards of compliance and ethical investment practices.
• Cultural Competence in Business Practices: Demonstrated cultural competence by effectively engaging with diverse business environments and practices in international markets, fostering trust and long-term relationships with local partners and stakeholders.

Precious Metals Trading Manager, International Trader Rep for Maxiplan LLC and clients.



About the company:

International Trader Rep is a commercial representation firm in international commodity trade, acting on behalf of Maxiplan LLC which is a foreign trade financing firm and alternative asset trader. The company is dedicated to sourcing precious metals in different regions of the world to physically export them to Hong Kong and Australia, from where it trades derivatives on the stock market under the EFP (exchange for physical) scheme with traders on the London and New York stock exchanges

About the position:

As the Precious Metals Trading Manager, my work focused on:

• International Contract Supervision: Successfully supervised and managed international contracts for the supply of precious metals to refineries in the USA, ensuring compliance with quality standards and delivery timelines, which enhanced the firm’s credibility and reliability in the market.
• Contract Negotiation: Effectively negotiated favorable contracts with producers and distributors of precious metals, securing competitive pricing and terms that maximized profitability and ensured a steady supply chain.
• Logistics and Insurance Management: Expertly managed the logistics and insurance of precious metals shipments, optimizing routes and minimizing costs while ensuring secure and timely delivery to international destinations such as the USA, Hong Kong and Australia.
• Financial and Operational Management: Oversaw the financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring robust financial health and operational efficiency of the trading desk.
• Commodity Sourcing and Export: Led the sourcing of precious metals from diverse global regions, establishing a reliable supply chain that supported the firm’s trading activities in major markets.
• EFP Scheme Implementation: Successfully implemented and managed the EFP (exchange for physical) scheme, facilitating seamless trading of derivatives on the stock markets in London and New York, thereby enhancing trading flexibility and liquidity.
• Global Market Penetration: Achieved significant market penetration by expanding the firm’s trading presence in key international markets, leveraging strategic alliances and local market insights to drive growth.
• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Developed and executed comprehensive risk mitigation strategies that minimized exposure to market volatility, geopolitical risks, and supply chain disruptions, ensuring stable trading operations.
• Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Ensured strict adherence to international trade regulations and industry standards, maintaining the firm’s integrity and avoiding regulatory pitfalls.