ERIN DEMPSEY HEUWETTER

Summary

Dynamic Enterprise Risk leader with a track record of founding and scaling risk functions in fintech environments. Successfully architected risk frameworks, achieving a 25% reduction in control counts and enhancing compliance through AI-driven automation. Served as a key advisor to executive leadership, driving informed decision-making on risk management.

Overview

12

years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Audit, Risk & Compliance

Navan

01.2025 - Current

Founded and scaled Navan’s independent second-line risk function, encompassing enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, SOX 404, and operational audit through a successful IPO.
Served as primary risk advisor to Audit Committee, delivering quarterly reports on risk environment, emerging risks, and control effectiveness.
Architected year 1 SOX 404 program; drove ~25% control count reduction through risk-based scoping in partnership with external auditors; negotiated co-source at ~75% discount from the average Year 1 SOX cost.
Established monthly executive risk committee; created and maintained 400+ risk enterprise risk register, risk taxonomy, risk appetite framework, and COSO-aligned ERM program — ensuring independent second-line oversight with KRI-driven reporting for Board and senior management.
Developed and executed risk-based internal audit plan for IT and business process controls across global operations; provided quarterly updates to Audit Committee on emerging risks, control environment, and audit findings.
Instituted AI-driven processes and controls across all functions, including SOX testing, Sanctions Screening, and through independent development of agentic AI applications.
Founded and scaled Navan’s independent second-line risk function, encompassing enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, SOX 404, and operational audit through a successful IPO.

Head of Risk Management

Stash

07.2023 - 12.2024

Established and led independent second-line ERM function at high-growth fintech, creating risk identification, assessment, and mitigation infrastructure, including risk appetite, taxonomy, and COSO-aligned framework from inception.
Conducted compliance risk assessments across payments and consumer financial services regulatory requirements, leading compliance review and risk scoping for Stash’s AI Money Coach product to embed regulatory requirements into product development lifecycle.
Implemented AI-powered GRC tools to automate controls testing, reducing team workload by ~25% and enabling focus on higher-value risk advisory work.

Vice President, Compliance Governance & Conflicts

LPL Financial

02.2020 - 07.2023

Oversaw 1,000+ annual conflicts of interest disclosures and reviews across a $1T+ AUM broker-dealer — built scalable COI and sponsor compliance governance infrastructure that reduced review cycle time by ~20%, ensured consistent regulatory treatment firm-wide, and protected the firm from third-party regulatory risk.
Implemented AI regulatory change process to manage 50+ regulatory changes monthly across state and federal jurisdictions, achieving zero material violations or regulatory actions through proactive change management and SME oversight.
Chaired two compliance governance committees, influencing executive decision-making and shaping senior leadership compliance strategy.
Led compliance due diligence and risk reviews for M&A activity, assessing target compliance posture, identifying integration risks, and drafting policy and procedure manuals for newly acquired affiliates and subsidiaries.
Implemented machine learning to govern 100+ firm-wide policies and procedures, reducing regulatory exposure by standardizing legal and compliance review processes for the first time enterprise-wide.

Assistant Vice President, Associate Counsel

LPL Financial

02.2018 - 02.2020

Closed 200+ financial institution services agreements, accelerating institutional client onboarding and ensuring compliance with securities laws.
Developed contract tracking system for 800+ financial institution service agreements and legal contracts, reducing reporting time by ~30% and minimizing contract renewal misses by ~40%.
Led strategic initiatives to enhance client engagement and satisfaction.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline operational processes.
Developed training programs for advisors on financial products and services.

Associate Counsel, Securities Litigation

Abraham, Fruchter & Twersky LLP

01.2017 - 02.2018

Oversaw complex discovery of thousands of documents, facilitating favorable resolutions in multiple class action securities cases.
Drafted legal documents including briefs, motions, and contracts for litigation cases.
Researched legal precedents and statutes to support case strategies and arguments.

Compliance Due Diligence, Team Lead

Goldman Sachs

09.2014 - 11.2016

Led a team of 8, completing 1,000+ AML and regulatory due diligence reviews quarterly with zero compliance failures.
Redesigned account review process and collaborated with technology to create automation platform, cutting client onboarding time by 60% and reducing processing risk by 40%.
Developed and delivered regulatory training program adopted by 200+ employees across global offices, achieving near-100% completion and enhancing audit-ready documentation standards.

Education

J.D. -

St. John’s University School of Law, Queens, NY

Bar Admissions - New York and California

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

State University of New York At Geneseo, Geneseo, NY

Skills

Risk management frameworks
Risk program governance
Risk assessment methodologies
Regulatory and SOX compliance
KRI and board reporting

Internal audit modernization
Data analytics
AI expertise
Process optimization
Team leadership and building

Advisory And Innovation

Startup Advisor — advising early-stage companies in the risk, audit, and accounting technology space on compliance program design, regulatory strategy, and go-to-market positioning for enterprise customers.
AI Application Builder — independently designing and building AI-powered tools for internal audit and compliance: audit report generation, SOX controls testing automation, regulatory change management, and risk analysis and reporting — using Claude Code, Gemini Studio, and Cursor.

Thought Leadership And Industry Involvement

Industry speaker on AI in audit, modern ERM program design, and building compliance cultures in high-growth SaaS and pre-IPO companies.
Risk Heroes Founder — co-created a risk community in partnership with RIMS, the world's largest Risk Industry Organization (2024).
Deputy to SIFMA Compliance & Legal Society President (2020-2023)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow (2019).

Timeline

Head of Audit, Risk & Compliance - Navan

01.2025 - Current

Head of Risk Management - Stash

07.2023 - 12.2024

Vice President, Compliance Governance & Conflicts - LPL Financial

02.2020 - 07.2023

Assistant Vice President, Associate Counsel - LPL Financial

02.2018 - 02.2020

Associate Counsel, Securities Litigation - Abraham, Fruchter & Twersky LLP

01.2017 - 02.2018

Compliance Due Diligence, Team Lead - Goldman Sachs