Eliza Forastieri-Pitsikalis
Edgewater,NJ
Summary
Experienced and bilingual Head of Operational Risk Control with a strong background in enterprise and operational risk control, brokerage operations and supervision, and business risk management. 14+ years of expertise in operational risk management, wealth management, financial governance, and financial management within the financial services and banking sectors. Skills include creating an operational risk framework, risk identification inventories, risk mitigation statements, firmwide RCSAs, KRI/KPI metrics, and CRO dashboard reports. Well-versed in enterprise risk management, financial strategy development, regulatory compliance standards, risk framework creation, and change management. Excellent interpersonal skills and engaging communicator capable of effectively interfacing with C-Suite leadership, regulators, and auditors.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Operational Risk Control - Vice President
WEDBUSH SECURITIES
03.2022 - Current
- Leading, developing and tracking key risk indicators and key performance throughout the organization
- Managing specific projects to plan, scheduling, tracking, and report on monitoring
- Training, educating, and coaching staff with regards to standard engagement processes, compliance, and subject matter expertise.
Operational Risk Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
04.2021 - 03.2022
- Developed and presented an ad-hoc in-depth analysis of the State Escheatment process within CIAS and UBS Group Operations that brought to light several process-related GAPs resulting in remediations being implemented within each of those Groups on the basis of our recommendations
- Effectively served as a Trusted Advisor on a high-profile New Business Initiative for CIAS by effectively reviewing and challenging WSPs, KPCs, etc
- To ensure all were in good order prior to the official external communication date on the new business initiative
- Effectively partnered with first-line business areas to ensure three high-priority, previously slipped self-identified Operational Risk Items (ORIs) were tested and closed prior to the agreed upon closure date.
Supervisory Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
10.2018 - 04.2021
- Facilitated successful internal and regulatory audits across Markets by leveraging a streamlined and process-driven approach when communicating with Branch office sales staff, as well as Management, and ensuring alignment applicable policies and procedures.
Business Risk Manager
UBS BANK USA
04.2017 - 10.2018
- Streamlined processes and procedures among the 1st and 2nd Lines of Defense (LOD) by facilitating improvements in the compliance reporting process
- Successfully closed memos and regulatory findings before the planned closure dates by working strategically to improve individual Reg O procedures for each of the 1st Line of Defense Business areas.
Supervisory Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
07.2015 - 04.2017
- Facilitated successful internal and regulatory audits in a multi-billion-dollar NYC Market area by leveraging a streamlined and process-driven approach to train Branch office sales staff and ensuring alignment applicable policies and procedures
- Successfully mitigated risk and reduced auditing frequency by creating and implementing a self-audit process to identify discrepancies.
Metro Regional Operations Manager
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
03.2013 - 07.2015
- Named the Subject Matter Expert on Firm Disbursement Guidelines, including NJ State Deceased Processing rules, and Compliance Document Review, for $1.6 Billion in Revenue across the Region
- Responsible for the training and development of Processing Center Branch Support Associates to ensure disbursement processing within Branch Guidelines.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJBachelor Of Science - Finance
William Paterson University
Wayne, NJSkills
- Strong Negotiation & Influencing Skills
- Creation and Delivery of Executive and C-Suite Presentations
- Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA)
- Business Risk and Control Creation / Testing
- Risk Identification (Risk ID)
- Enterprise & Operational Risk Framework Creation
- Policy & Procedure Analysis / Enhancement
- Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Tool Implementation
Certification
- Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional program (CRCP), University of Pennsylvania – FINRA Institute at Wharton – Philadelphia, PA
- SERIES 3 National Commodity Futures
- SERIES 7 General Securities Representative
- SERIES 9/10 General Securities Sales Supervisor
- SERIES 24 General Securities Principal
- SERIES 66 Investment Adviser Representative
- SERIES 99TO Operations Professional
Timeline
Head of Operational Risk Control - Vice President
WEDBUSH SECURITIES
03.2022 - Current
Operational Risk Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
04.2021 - 03.2022
Supervisory Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
10.2018 - 04.2021
Business Risk Manager
UBS BANK USA
04.2017 - 10.2018
Supervisory Officer
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
07.2015 - 04.2017
Metro Regional Operations Manager
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES
03.2013 - 07.2015
Master of Business Administration - Business Administration And Management
Montclair State University
Bachelor Of Science - Finance
William Paterson University
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