JAMES L. GOWEN, JR.
St. Johns,FL
Summary
Senior Technology and Data Executive with more than 20 years of experience leading enterprise data governance, technology risk, and AI-driven transformation within global financial institutions. Proven expertise overseeing data portfolios from $10MM to $6B while ensuring regulatory compliance with BCBS 239, Dodd-Frank, SOX, and GDPR standards. Recognized for building and scaling first-line risk control frameworks, AI governance models, and advanced analytics capabilities that strengthen operational resilience and regulatory readiness. Successfully directs global, cross-functional teams delivering digital modernization, machine learning integration, and generative AI enablement initiatives. Track record of generating over $400MM in cost avoidance through Lean Six Sigma optimization, automation, and enterprise remediation strategies. Trusted advisor to executive leadership on capital stress testing (FRY-14Q), risk quantification (FAIR), and data strategy execution that drives measurable business impact.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
SR. DIRECTOR/ GLOBAL HEAD OF DATA CONTROLS-U.S. PERSONAL BANKING AND WEALTH CHANNELS
CITIGROUP
Jacksonville, FL
01.2024 - Current
- Orchestrate first-line data risk controls, enterprise issue management, and corrective action governance supporting regulatory frameworks across 2,500+ technology associates serving 70MM+ global customers.
- Administer oversight of all Personal Banking and Wealth data platforms aligned to GDPR, SOX, and BCBS 239 enterprise data governance standards.
- Modernized multi-year enterprise data transformation by scaling technology data quality controls across 150 cross-functional channels, decreasing ineffective controls by 38%.
- Instituted AI/ML model risk controls and End-User Computing (EUC) governance protocols, eliminating regulatory gaps, generating $10MM+ cost avoidance, and accelerating remediation timelines by 80%.
DIRECTOR/ HEAD OF DATA ANALYTICS TECHNOLOGY RISK AND CONTROLS
CITIGROUP
Jacksonville, FL
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Architected early-adoption strategy accelerating regulatory data quality remediation commitments while lowering compliance expenditures and increasing productivity by 50%.
- Engineered machine learning methodologies to detect data control deficiencies, reducing critical application outages by 20% and elevating control effectiveness by 7%.
- Co-created Generative AI copilot capabilities to proactively monitor and mitigate data quality risk exposure.
DIRECTOR/ HEAD OF DATA STRATEGY AND TECH ENABLEMENT
WELLS FARGO
Charlotte, NC
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Championed enterprise risk control data strategy across Payments and Consumer Lending in response to consent order remediation mandates.
- Implemented SAS Viya advanced analytics platform supporting 35,000 associates despite COVID-19 operational constraints.
- Mobilized executive resiliency reporting for COO leadership during enterprise-wide remote work transition.
- Constructed interim workflow ecosystem enabling Chief Control Executive tollgate governance, improving high-priority issue closure rates by 27%.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/ DATA STEWARD EXECUTIVE
BANK OF AMERICA
Charlotte, NC
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Directed enterprise data lifecycle governance for Corporate Compliance and Operational Risk portfolios aligned to Basel Advanced Measurement Approach and BCBS 239 standards covering controlled scenarios up to $6B.
- Strengthened data source certification, privacy compliance, and regulatory reporting accuracy across capital models and operational risk infrastructures.
- Revitalized Global Financial Crimes Compliance and AML transformation initiative using agile delivery, increasing fraud detection efficiency by 40% and resolving critical audit deficiencies.
- Pioneered BPM prototype reducing delivery timelines by 30–40 weeks and avoiding $13MM+ in projected expenditures.
- Expanded AML alert processing and 24/7 operational servicing on dedicated Teradata platform, minimizing financial crime exposure and closing non-compliance findings.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/SENIOR TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
BANK OF AMERICA
Charlotte, NC
01.2003 - 01.2015
- Governed 23 mission-critical applications within Commercial Process Technology division supporting Wholesale Credit Lending.
- Supervised 100+ global technologists across the U.S., Mexico, and India delivering business process automation within $30MM transformation portfolio.
Skills
- AI Governance
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Data Governance
- Technology Risk Controls
- Regulatory Compliance
- Executive Leadership
- Digital Modernization
- Agentic AI
- Large Language Models (LLM)
- Machine Learning
- Model Risk Controls
- Third-Party Risk
- Data Privacy
- Risk Quantification (FAIR)
- Regulatory Risk Reporting (FRY-14Q)
- Six Sigma
- Machine Learning
- Operational Excellence
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Business Analytics & Data Science
Capitol Technology University – Summa Cum Laude
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Dayton – Graduated with Honors
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Frostburg State University – Graduated with Honors
Master’s Certificate, Information Technology Project Management
George Washington University
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
- Project Management Professional (PMP) #213665
- Open Group FAIR Cyber Risk Certification #2325
- Six Sigma Master Black Belt (Lean)
- DataRobot Machine Learning Certification #67343112
- Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - Level 2
MILITARY SERVICE
U.S. Army Veteran – Promoted to Captain
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT & AFFILIATIONS
- Center for Creative Leadership – African American Leadership Program
- Forbes Technology Council Contributor (2025–2026)
- Intelligent Automation (IA) Forum Advisory Board (2025–2026)
- Enterprise Risk Quantification Institute Contributor (2026)
- OnCon Top 100 Data & Analytics Finalist (2025)
PUBLICATION
- Gowen, James L. Jr. (2023). An Exploratory Study of Loss Event Frequency Approaches Using the Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) Model in Non-Financial Risk Areas. Capitol Technology University. ProQuest.
- Gowen, Jr., J. L. (2026). Building Scalable Data Pipelines for AI Enablement: The Opportunity Cost of Speed at the Value of Trust. Intelligent Automation (IA) Forum Advisory Magazine, 1(1), 2.
Timeline
SR. DIRECTOR/ GLOBAL HEAD OF DATA CONTROLS-U.S. PERSONAL BANKING AND WEALTH CHANNELS
CITIGROUP
01.2024 - Current
DIRECTOR/ HEAD OF DATA ANALYTICS TECHNOLOGY RISK AND CONTROLS
CITIGROUP
01.2021 - 01.2024
DIRECTOR/ HEAD OF DATA STRATEGY AND TECH ENABLEMENT
WELLS FARGO
01.2019 - 01.2021
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/ DATA STEWARD EXECUTIVE
BANK OF AMERICA
01.2015 - 01.2019
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/SENIOR TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
BANK OF AMERICA
01.2003 - 01.2015