Brenda Vargas
Gilberts,IL
Summary
Strategic operations leader with 17+ years of experience across investor services, client onboarding, and fund operations. Leads global teams and oversees end-to-end investor lifecycle processes, driving operational strategy, scalability, and cross-functional alignment. Proven track record of building and optimizing systems, workflows, and controls that enhance efficiency, strengthen compliance, and improve client experience and long-term retention.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Associate Director – Client Experience & Investor Services
The Catalyst Group
05.2022 - Current
Lead global Investor Services and onboarding functions across multiple regions, with full ownership of end-to-end investor lifecycle operations, including KYC and compliance coordination. Drive operational strategy through KPI governance, SLA management, and process optimization, while implementing scalable systems and workflow enhancements that improve efficiency, strengthen cross-functional alignment, and enhance client satisfaction and long-term retention.
Independent Contractor
ZERNO
05.2023 - 09.2025
In this role, I supported a growing business by improving internal operations and backend processes. I reorganized digital filing systems to enhance efficiency and accessibility, conducted vendor research aligned with operational needs and budget considerations, and contributed to customer experience improvements through process enhancements. I also assisted with data entry and workflow planning to streamline daily operations and support business growth.
Vice President – Investor Services
Apex Group Ltd
07.2018 - 05.2022
I oversaw daily operations across global transfer agency teams, ensuring accurate transaction processing and adherence to service levels. My responsibilities included reviewing and approving capital calls, distributions, and payments, investigating discrepancies, and supporting reconciliation across multiple systems. I partnered with internal teams and clients to resolve issues, supported fund launches, and maintained strong internal controls to meet regulatory and audit requirements.
Independent Contractor
Real Estate Administrative Support
06.2017 - 11.2020
I provided administrative and operational support for real estate transactions, including preparing contracts and documentation, coordinating property showings, and managing communication between clients and agents. I also developed and scheduled social media content to increase listing visibility and supported overall workflow organization to improve operational efficiency.
Skills
- Client Onboarding
- CRM Workflow Management & Optimization
- Operational Risk Mitigation & Controls
- Global Team Leadership (US, LATAM, EMEA)
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Compliance Coordination (AML/KYC, FATCA, CRS)
- Mantra
- Investran
- Dynamo
- Paxus
- CRM Systems
- Banking Platforms
- Workflow & Data Tracking Tools
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 (CRM)
- Microsoft Teams & Microsoft Lists (workflow design)
- Zendesk
Accomplishments
- Co-developed and scaled an in-house CRM platform to centralize onboarding and investor servicing workflows, improving operational visibility, enhancing cross-team coordination, and supporting a more seamless client experience
- Designed and implemented a Microsoft Dynamics-based production calendar to govern NAV SLAs, approvals, and exception tracking, strengthening alignment between Accounting and Investor Services, improving timeliness of investor communications, and reducing client friction
- Built and scaled a Treasury function from inception, establishing infrastructure for bank account management, payment workflows, and access controls across multiple clients and platforms
- Led cross-functional operational improvements across Investor Onboarding, Investor Services, and Compliance, reducing onboarding inefficiencies, enhancing workflow alignment, and contributing to improved client satisfaction and retention
Certification
- Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate (AMLCA) – FIBA
- FATCA & CRS Training (2025)
- Regulatory Enforcement Training (2025)
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Independent Contractor
ZERNO
05.2023 - 09.2025
Senior Associate Director – Client Experience & Investor Services
The Catalyst Group
05.2022 - Current
Vice President – Investor Services
Apex Group Ltd
07.2018 - 05.2022
Independent Contractor
Real Estate Administrative Support
06.2017 - 11.2020
Process Innovation & Improvements
- Architected and implemented a structured Microsoft Teams framework, defining internal and client-facing channel strategies to improve communication clarity and reduce operational friction across teams
- Developed and scaled a centralized Investor Services team site within Microsoft Teams, consolidating key communications, planning, and resources into a standardized model adopted across multiple teams
- Introduced Microsoft Loop to establish client-specific procedural documentation, improving knowledge management, enabling scalable training, and supporting consistency across onboarding and servicing workflows