Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Alyssa Blanchard

Pueblo West,CO

Summary

Risk professional with 14 years of experience in risk mitigation, management, and audit oversight. Proven track record in developing solutions and implementing data-driven decision-making processes. Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. Adaptable and committed to fostering team collaboration and maintaining quality standards.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Lead (Bank Risk Advisor)

USAA
11.2022 - Current
  • Provide Advisory support on all Bank Risk Governance Frameworks to include, but not limited to management risk and control environment, PRCI, RCSA, Risk Inventory, Assessments & Profile (RIAP), Key Risk Indicators (KRI), Risk Appetite Metrics (RAM), Breech & Exceedance Monitoring, Ad-Hoc Risk Assessment & Analysis, Key and Non-Key Controls, Issue identification and Management, Risk Taxonomy.
  • Facilitate and Guide the line-of-business in all Audit and Exam-related meetings across the Audit and exam lifecycle. Provide guidance on the proper navigation of the Audit and exam management lifecycle, adherence to Audit and exam management policy and procedure. Help gather data, documentation, or other related materials in response to auditing entity request. Assist in crafting responses to Audit and exam findings.
  • Provide Bank Risk Advisory support and guidance to Omnichannel Line of Business Process and Experience Owners by acting as a single point of contact between the Business and Omnichannel Quality, Risk and Control (QRC).
  • Provide healthy challenge to Omnichannel Line of Business Process, Experience, and Control Owners on all risk programs.
  • Assist First Line of Defense issue owners in the issue management lifecycle which includes Issue identification, action plan development, and remediation / restitution activities to mitigate risk and establish a sustainable control environment.
  • Facilitate proper escalation for issue lifecycle advancement, prepare escalation documentation as needed, host escalation discussions with stakeholders and leaders.
  • Provide support and guidance to Executive Leadership relative to risks, controls, and issue management.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
  • Developed long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure consistent retention and loyalty.
  • Managed risk effectively by closely monitoring client portfolios and making timely adjustments.
  • Utilized advanced CRM tools to track client interactions efficiently while maintaining detailed records of their individual goals, preferences, and concerns.
  • Mentored junior advisors, fostering a supportive team environment focused on growth and learning.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
  • Fostered culture of innovation within advisory team, encouraging adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Bank Risk Advisor)

USAA
04.2022 - 11.2022
  • Provide Advisory support on Bank Risk Governance Frameworks to include, but not limited to management risk and control environment, PRCI, RCSA, Risk Inventory, Assessments & Profile (RIAP), Key Risk Indicators (KRI), Risk Appetite Metrics (RAM), Breech & Exceedance Monitoring, Ad-Hoc Risk Assessment & Analysis, Key and Non-Key Controls, Issue identification and Management, Risk Taxonomy, Internal and External Audits.
  • Facilitate and Guide the line-of-business in all Audit and Exam-related meetings across the Audit and exam lifecycle. Provide guidance on the proper navigation of the Audit and exam management lifecycle, adherence to Audit and exam management policy and procedure. Help gather data, documentation, or other related materials in response to auditing entity request. Assist in crafting responses to Audit and exam findings.
  • Provide Bank Risk Advisory support and guidance to Omnichannel Line of Business Process and Experience Owners by acting as a single point of contact between the Business and Omnichannel Quality, Risk and Control (QRC).
  • Assist First Line of Defense issue owners in the issue management lifecycle which includes Issue identification, action plan development, and remediation / restitution activities to mitigate risk and establish a sustainable control environment.
  • Facilitate proper escalation for issue lifecycle advancement, prepare escalation documentation as needed, host escalation discussions with stakeholders and leaders.
  • Provide support and guidance to Executive Leadership relative to risks, controls, and issue management.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
  • Developed long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure consistent retention and loyalty.
  • Mentored junior advisors, fostering a supportive team environment focused on growth and learning.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
  • Fostered culture of innovation within advisory team, encouraging adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Governance)

USAA
09.2019 - 04.2022
  • Provide support as a Business Liaison to all Business partners in Omnichannel Sales and Service Delivery by coordinating with business partners to manage critical and high material risks. Influence and direct Business partners in reviewing and monitoring their material risks, Key risk indicators, Risk Appetite Metrics, Controls, and Issues. Lead business partners in identifying emerging risks, Internal and External Audits. Propose and aid in implementing process changes to reduce risk. Propose and implement metric monitoring to build Key Risk Indicators.
  • Champion the Omnichannel Key Risk Indicator Program to Build, Adopt, and Monitor Key Risk indicators associated with Emerging and Material Risks. Identify and analyze trends that could present a risk to the association
  • Develop improved process and procedures for Omnichannel User Development Application (UDA) oversight program.
  • Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities and the job role. While ensuring risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled.
  • Manage and drive solutions for stronger controls, and in support of risk and/or regulatory compliance related initiatives which may include but is not limited to oversight of procedures/process, accurate regulatory reporting and filing, document governance, risk control self-assessments, procedure governance, control design, new product controls, CoSA Third Party Governance, or quality governance. By anticipating business needs and proactively identifying opportunities to improve and strengthen the control environment through actionable insights. Perform ongoing supervision and oversight of business controls and shares knowledge with team members to evaluate the effectiveness on established business controls. Complete risk data analysis, report preparation and trend analysis, utilizing business intelligence tools. Assist with translating control deficiencies into action plans and provides recommendations to enhance governance practices in alignment with risk and compliance frameworks. Partner with stakeholders to drive improvement efforts to correct or prevent unfavorable trends and assess the impacts.
  • Review existing Issues and aid in Issue identification, action plan development, and remediation / restitution activities.
  • Leads project team through concept, planning, execution, and implementation phases for effective and timely risk remediation.
  • Advise senior management on the status of their control environment related to risk identification and control weaknesses. Identifies critical areas to monitor and escalates issues and findings to appropriate stakeholders.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
  • Developed long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure consistent retention and loyalty.
  • Mentored junior advisors, fostering a supportive team environment focused on growth and learning.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
  • Fostered culture of innovation within advisory team, encouraging adoption of new technologies and methodologies.

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Centralized Supervision)

USAA
07.2019 - 09.2019
  • Develop operating policies and procedures, in accordance with the enterprise risk policies and standards set by independent risk management.
  • Lead front line teams in identifying risks to influence and direct teams in reviewing and monitoring the team risks. Propose and aid in implementing changes to identify and reduce risk. Analyze a broad range of performance data to monitor each risk area. Help to self-identify any deficiencies and take corrective action when necessary. Participate in escalation processes established by independent risk management to resolve issues involving disagreements among the lines of defense.
  • Provide accurate and timely risk reports to Business Control Management, independent risk management, internal audit, executive management, and board and management committees.
  • Provide input to the CRO organization regarding the enterprise risk governance framework and the standards and parameters established to govern risk-taking activities. Develops action plans in the event of a trigger or appetite breach.
  • Manage the expectations and accountability for the team of supervision professionals in consultation with the Business Controls Management and independent risk management.
  • Review communications via multiple channels between members and advisors to ensure adherence to USAA ethical standards.
  • Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from front line activities by conducting suitability reviews of insurance and banking products to include recommendations and transactions. Using appropriate USAA systems (including live observations, call reviews, data analysis) to identify potential Law, Rule, Regulation, UDAAP violations. Effectively communicate and escalate findings to all levels of management for the appropriate action.
  • Completing analysis of financial transactions to include Payment Override, Insurance to Value reviews, Provisional credit, and ATM increases or hold releases. Completing access verification and review of various tracking logs.
  • Operate as a control to effectively manage and mitigate risks for banking and insurance products by auditing work performed by banking and insurance groups to ensure completion and compliance with regulatory requirements. Create moderately complex remediation plans and conducts analysis of compliance and risk management reports. Provide recommendations on process improvements and track in Management Oversight Initiatives (MOI). Complete Root Causes analysis on error identified to determine appropriate remediation and escalation steps.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
  • Developed long-lasting relationships with clients to ensure consistent retention and loyalty.

Business Risk and Controls Advisor I (Centralized Supervision)

USAA
11.2017 - 07.2019
  • Develop operating policies and procedures, in accordance with the enterprise risk policies and standards set by independent risk management.
  • Analyze a broad range of performance data to monitor each risk area by reviewing communications via multiple channels between members and advisors to ensure adherence to USAA ethical standards.
  • Help leaders to Self-identify any deficiencies and take corrective action when necessary. Follow through by participating in escalation processes established by independent risk management to resolve issues involving disagreements among the lines of defense.
  • Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from front line activities by conducting suitability reviews of insurance and banking products to include recommendations and transactions. Using appropriate USAA systems (including live observations, call reviews, data analysis) to identify potential Law, Rule, Regulation, UDAAP violations. Effectively communicate and escalate findings to all levels of management for the appropriate action.
  • Completing analysis of financial transactions to include Payment Override, Insurance to Value reviews, Provisional credit, and ATM increases or hold releases. Completing access verification and review of various tracking logs.
  • Operate as a control to effectively manage and mitigate risks for banking and insurance products by auditing work performed by banking and insurance groups to ensure completion and compliance with regulatory requirements. Create moderately complex remediation plans and conducts analysis of compliance and risk management reports. Provide recommendations on process improvements and track in Management Oversight Initiatives (MOI). Complete Root Causes analysis on error identified to determine appropriate remediation and escalation steps.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.

Auditor I

State of Colorado – Division of Gaming
02.2017 - 11.2017
  • Facilitate, manage, and coordinate all audit activities
  • Analyze Minimum Bankroll Analysis for casinos to ensure accuracy.
  • Conduct compliance and revenue audits of Casinos.
  • Conduct Tax Audits of Casinos.
  • Conduct compliance review of cashier cage, restricted key control, slot drop (i.e., slot machine proceeds), table drop (i.e., proceeds from poker and blackjack), hard and soft count (i.e., the count of these proceeds), unclaimed jackpots, forms control, and the accounting department to include the review of Variances, Adjustments, Secondary Level of Review, Overrides, Tax Template, and Theoretical Hold Report.
  • Document all Audit Compliance and Operational issues.
  • Validate completion of Audit results completion steps.
  • Review Gaming Statistical reports, financial statements, and tax returns for completeness and accuracy.
  • Understand minimum internal control standards established by the Division of Gaming and gaming regulations promulgated by the Limited Gaming Control Commission.
  • Investigate potential fraud in Financial Statements, and Tax Returns.
  • Assess the level of compliance by casinos with standards and regulations.
  • Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from Operational Casino Activities.
  • Observe casino operations and analyzing procedures for compliance.
  • Evaluate effectiveness of their internal control environments.
  • Analyze requests from casinos for variances from the internal control standards.
  • Identify areas of noncompliance and providing verbal and written feedback to casino management.
  • Recommend corrective processes to casino staff.
  • Review requests for substitute procedures.
  • Assist the Division’s investigative staff when needed on compliance-related matters.
  • Prepare audit findings and reports, and present audit results to casino management.
  • Prepare letters, reports, and supplemental documentation for Administrative Action against casinos and staff.
  • Support and Educate new and intern Auditors through mentoring and reviewing audit findings and providing feedback.
  • Develop operating policies and procedures, in accordance with state regulations.
  • Provided detailed documentation on audit findings, facilitating swift corrective action when necessary.
  • Maintained confidentiality, handling sensitive information discreetly throughout all stages of the audit process.
  • Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements by performing regular audits and staying up-to-date on industry standards.

Audit Intern

State of Colorado – Division of Gaming
11.2015 - 02.2017
  • Analyze Minimum Bankroll Analysis for casinos to ensure accuracy.
  • Conduct compliance and revenue audits of Casinos.
  • Conduct limited revenue reviews of Casinos.
  • Conduct Tax Audits of Casinos.
  • Conduct compliance review of cashier cage, restricted key control, slot drop (i.e., slot machine proceeds), table drop (i.e., proceeds from poker and blackjack), hard and soft count (i.e., the count of these proceeds), unclaimed jackpots, forms control, and the accounting department to include the review of Variances, Adjustments, Secondary Level of Review, Overrides, Tax Template, and Theoretical Hold Report.
  • Document all Audit Compliance and Operational issues.
  • Validate completion of Audit results completion steps.
  • Review Gaming Statistical reports, financial statements, and tax returns for completeness and accuracy.
  • Understand minimum internal control standards established by the Division of Gaming and gaming regulations promulgated by the Limited Gaming Control Commission.
  • Investigate potential fraud in Financial Statements, and Tax Returns.
  • Assess the level of compliance by casinos with standards and regulations.
  • Identify and manage existing and emerging risks that stem from Operational Casino Activities.
  • Observe casino operations and analyzing procedures for compliance.
  • Evaluate effectiveness of their internal control environments.
  • Analyze requests from casinos for variances from the internal control standards.
  • Identify areas of noncompliance and providing verbal and written feedback to casino management.
  • Recommend corrective processes to casino staff.
  • Review requests for substitute procedures.
  • Assist the Division’s investigative staff when needed on compliance-related matters.
  • Prepare audit findings and reports, and present audit results to casino management.
  • Prepare letters, reports, and supplemental documentation for Administrative Action against casinos and staff.
  • Support and Educate new and intern Auditors through mentoring and reviewing audit findings and providing feedback.
  • Develop operating policies and procedures, in accordance with state regulations.
  • Collaborated with team members to complete audits within established deadlines, maintaining a consistent level of professionalism throughout the process.
  • Assisted in the preparation of high-quality audit workpapers, maintaining attention to detail and organization throughout each engagement.

Loan Assistant/Credit Administrator/Bank Teller Trainer

Park State Bank & Trust
05.2011 - 11.2015
  • Adhered to all federal and state Banking and Real Estate servicing compliance guidelines.
  • Performed daily maintenance of the loan applicant database.
  • Evaluated Credit Risk by analyzing applicants' financial status, credit report, and property evaluation to determine feasibility of granting loan.
  • Executed the loan origination process, including ordering credit reports, appraisals, and preliminary title reports and analyzed potential risk from originating loans, and collateral provided.
  • Researched insurance information and flood certificates.
  • Completed all Internal Loan and Banking audits.
  • Planned and conducted all Audit preparations to assist in all External Loan and Banking Audits by serving as a liaison and gathering and providing all required documentation and answering questions.
  • Acted as an imperative part of the banking staff by always producing error- free packages, providing exceptional customer service, Training New Credit Administrators, Loan Assistants, and Bank Tellers.
  • Oversaw the overall health of the company by analyzing and evaluating internal controls, assisting in time and expense budgets, recommending control and business practice improvements, and reviewing and analyzing new and existing loan contracts.
  • Managed multiple priorities simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines for loan closings and disbursements.
  • Maintained organized records, facilitating efficient retrieval of information for audits and regulatory examinations.

Education

Master of Science - Accounting/Forensic Accounting

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
05.2019

Bachelor of Science - Business/Finance

University of Phoenix
Colorado Springs, CO
05.2014

Skills

  • Risk management and mitigation
  • Risk analysis and compliance
  • Root cause analysis
  • Effective communication
  • Audit and process improvement
  • Project management
  • Team building

Websites

Certification

  • COSO Internal Controls
  • COSO Enterprise Risk Management
  • Casino Auditing Level 1 Certification
  • Casino Auditing Level 2 Certification
  • SAFe Agile
  • SAFe Scrum Master
  • Sigma Alpha Pi – National Society of Leadership and Success
  • Delta Mu Delta – International Honor Society in Business Administration

Timeline

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Lead (Bank Risk Advisor)

USAA
11.2022 - Current

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Bank Risk Advisor)

USAA
04.2022 - 11.2022

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Governance)

USAA
09.2019 - 04.2022

Business Risk and Controls Advisor Senior (Centralized Supervision)

USAA
07.2019 - 09.2019

Business Risk and Controls Advisor I (Centralized Supervision)

USAA
11.2017 - 07.2019

Auditor I

State of Colorado – Division of Gaming
02.2017 - 11.2017

Audit Intern

State of Colorado – Division of Gaming
11.2015 - 02.2017

Loan Assistant/Credit Administrator/Bank Teller Trainer

Park State Bank & Trust
05.2011 - 11.2015

Master of Science - Accounting/Forensic Accounting

Southern New Hampshire University

Bachelor of Science - Business/Finance

University of Phoenix

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