Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
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DEARA CHAMBLISS

Summary

Purpose-driven Policy Manager with over eight years of experience in designing and implementing global policy solutions. Developed scalable, user-centric policies that enhance customer experiences while ensuring regulatory compliance and business growth. Led end-to-end policy initiatives, fostering collaboration across Product, Legal, and Operations teams to translate complex challenges into actionable solutions. Proven track record in managing partnerships and guiding cross-functional teams to uphold trust principles and platform integrity.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Internal Controls Leader-Policy

Nestle
Rosslyn
01.2023 - Current
  • Develop and continuously improve policies affecting the full user experience, including cancellations, refunds, and payments, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory compliance.
  • Lead policy operationalization by partnering closely with Product, Operations, Trust, Finance, Legal, Public Policy, and Communications teams to embed policy requirements seamlessly into product design, operational workflows, and customer support systems.
  • Lead the design, development, and communication of global policies impacting over 1,000+ users, addressing safety, trust, and expression challenges across products and advertising platforms in 190+ markets.
  • Synthesize insights from cross-functional teams and external partners to define long-term content and product policy positions, standards, and strategies, ensuring consistent application while balancing user needs, platform integrity, and business growth.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to identify emerging risks and complex policy challenges, delivering scalable and compliant solutions that enhance user satisfaction and reduce disputes across multiple markets.
  • Support biannual global product launches by designing adaptable, regionally compliant policy frameworks that maintain global consistency and address local regulations.
  • Provide clear, actionable policy guidance to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, simplifying complex tradeoffs and regulatory issues into informed business decisions.
  • Proactively anticipate and address evolving marketplace challenges by developing innovative policy solutions that balance user trust, compliance, and business growth in a dynamic environment.

Senior Policy Analyst

ICF
Fairfax
08.2021 - 01.2023
  • Collaborated across internal teams and external stakeholders to continuously enhance and adapt commercial policies, reducing policy-related disputes by 20% and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.
  • Served as a strategic partner during company launches and product updates, assessing risks and delivering policy solutions that supported a 15% increase in platform growth while maintaining user trust.
  • Worked closely with business, design, and product teams to architect and implement systems that improved user experience scores by 25% and strengthened platform integrity.

Compliance and Ethics Officer

Maximus
Reston
08.2020 - 08.2021
  • Partnered with management to assess and enhance compliance-related processes, recommending and implementing improvements to strengthen internal control frameworks in accordance with HIPAA and SOX requirements.
  • Played a pivotal role in shaping and executing policy initiatives impacting over 1 million Maximus enrolled members, enhancing overall community safety and satisfaction.
  • Scoped, prioritized, and executed complex projects, delivering impactful policy development, implementing stakeholder training programs, and fostering strong internal and external partnerships to drive organizational objectives.
  • Supported development of data-driven tools within the AML/sanctions program, enhancing monitoring capabilities and streamlining alert investigations.
  • Crafting policies that address complex legal, ethical, and operational challenges, ensuring alignment with internal values, industry best practices, and applicable laws.
  • Utilized data analysis, user research, and market insights to evaluate existing policies, identify areas for improvement, and drive revisions that increase operational efficiency and platform trust.

Senior Policy Advisor

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Washington
01.2020 - 08.2020
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams to perform risk assessments and recommend enhancements to compliance policies and procedures.
  • Partnered with business and technical stakeholders to design and implement compliance strategies, balancing operational efficiency, complexity, and regulatory requirements.
  • Managed diverse compliance projects for product launches, aligning organizational policies with regulatory requirements and strengthening cross-functional governance.
  • Led the creation and communication of global policies, addressing safety and expression challenges across products and ads while guiding stakeholders on ethical and regulatory requirements.
  • Build and mobilize powerful alliances with stakeholders, government officials, and industry groups to champion organizational goals and drive consumer financial policy change.
  • Proactively assessed public policy impacts and opportunities in public transportation by engaging directly with government officials, and drove the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to safeguard and advance the organization’s business interests.

Senior Internal Auditor

Sinclair Broadcast Group
Baltimore
10.2017 - 01.2020
  • Tracked emerging issues and new developments related to audits and the SOX program.
  • Expanded data analysis to include compliance training performance, identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance organizational awareness and engagement.
  • Identified opportunities and recommended methods to improve service, work processes, and financial performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead investigations, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
  • Prepared work papers to adequately document investigations performed with supporting evidence.
  • Identified business risks and deficiencies and worked with business management to identify resolutions.
  • Supported the monitoring of the implementation of recommendations made by both the internal and external auditors to ensure improvements in systems and controls.
  • Developed an understanding of internal control systems and performed and evaluated the effectiveness of risk management and controls.
  • Risk management experience, including performing assessments, designing controls, and prioritizing risk.
  • Ability to identify control issues and root causes, and communicate suggested improvements to internal controls.
  • Strong attention to detail, investigative skills, and the ability to collaborate within a team and with cross-functional business partners.

Internal Auditor

State of Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts
Annapolis
03.2015 - 03.2017
  • Identified areas of compliance risk, business control/process issues, and work collaboratively with business partners to find solutions.
  • Documented and assessed the design and effectiveness of internal controls, ensuring accuracy of financial statements and footnote disclosures.

Education

MBA - Accounting

Strayer University
Richmond, VA
03.2018

BS - Criminal Justice, Psychology

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
05.2014

Skills

  • Policy formulation and execution
  • Interdepartmental teamwork
  • Public affairs
  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • Stakeholder engagement

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Senior Internal Controls Leader-Policy

Nestle
01.2023 - Current

Senior Policy Analyst

ICF
08.2021 - 01.2023

Compliance and Ethics Officer

Maximus
08.2020 - 08.2021

Senior Policy Advisor

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
01.2020 - 08.2020

Senior Internal Auditor

Sinclair Broadcast Group
10.2017 - 01.2020

Internal Auditor

State of Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts
03.2015 - 03.2017

MBA - Accounting

Strayer University

BS - Criminal Justice, Psychology

Virginia Commonwealth University
DEARA CHAMBLISS