Open to opportunities

Susan Thomas

@susanthomas1

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Senior financial crime compliance leader driving risk-based solutions.

Luxembourg

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What I'm looking for

I seek a senior compliance role where I can lead risk-based programs, coach teams, influence governance, and deliver pragmatic remediation and control improvements in a collaborative environment.

I am a senior financial crime compliance professional with over 18 years' experience across Canadian and Luxembourg institutions, focused on risk oversight, stakeholder management and pragmatic remediation.

I have led and coached cross-cultural teams, managed high-volume client remediation programs, and served in governance forums to shape policy and controls.

My strengths include strategic management of emerging risks, running compliance testing and monitoring programs, and delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations that streamline processes and strengthen controls.

I communicate with tact and clarity, train teams to adopt best practices, and consistently deliver actionable outcomes that balance regulatory expectations with business realities.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Vice President, Financial Crime

Current

JPMorgan

Nov 2021 - Present (4 years)

Provide advisory and critical analysis on high-risk clients and complex entities for onboarding and periodic reviews, contribute to governance committees and sanctions assessments, and coach junior staff to improve workflows and compliance outcomes.

AML Client Onboarding Risk Assessment Governance Coaching

Manager, Forensics Advisory

PwC Luxembourg

Jun 2021 - Oct 2021 (4 months)

Led a 15-person international team on a high-volume client remediation mission for a major investment bank, maintained status reporting and client communications, and produced weekly reports recommending industry best practices.

Compliance Advisory Project Management Reporting Stakeholder Management Team Leadership Regulatory Compliance

Senior Advisor, Forensics

PwC Luxembourg

Jan 2019 - Jun 2021 (2 years 5 months)

Served as sole financial crime specialist to develop a Compliance Monitoring Plan for second-line testing and delivered remediation guidance and presentations to first-line teams across cultural and leadership levels.

Compliance Monitoring Financial Crime Presentation Stakeholder Engagement Risk Assessment

Manager, Financial Crime Risk

HSBC

Oct 2016 - Dec 2018 (2 years 2 months)

Led independent second-line testing of control activities across business lines, performed periodic financial crime reviews, and ensured compliance with Canadian banking policies and regulations.

Compliance Testing AML Risk Assurance Regulatory Compliance Monitoring Reporting

Compliance Testing Officer

Royal Bank of Canada

Jan 2014 - Sep 2016 (2 years 8 months)

Executed risk-based compliance testing of AML investigative and reporting activities, identified recurring themes and control weaknesses, and supported governance partners on regulatory compliance models.

AML Compliance Testing Quality Assurance Governance Support

Financial Crimes Analyst

Royal Bank of Canada

Nov 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years 1 month)

Identified and assessed potential financial crime risks using control filters and risk tools, and advised line managers on due diligence and remediation actions to mitigate reputational risk.

Transaction Monitoring Risk Assessment Case Analysis Due Diligence Reporting

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Schulich School of Business, York University

Master of Business Administration, Business Administration

2011 - 2013

Completed a Master of Business Administration with coursework in strategic management, enterprise risk management, organizational behaviour, negotiations, and microfinance.

Schulich School of Business, York University

Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration

2000 - 2004

Completed an International Bachelor of Business Administration, participated in an exchange at ESSEC Business School and attended the University of Montreal for French language studies.