Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kara Brooks Halas

Santa Fe,New Mexico

Summary

Results-driven Senior Operations Executive and Risk Manager with 20+ years with a strong focus on team collaboration and achieving organizational goals. Adept at navigating changing needs and fostering reliable work environment. Skilled in strategic planning, leadership, and effective communication. Known for adaptability, integrity, and commitment to delivering impactful results.

Overview

1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Regulatory Risk Group Manager

SVP Citi
New York, NY
01.2021 - Current
  • Lead enterprise regulatory risk initiatives, providing strategic risk analytics, regulatory change management, and executive-level reporting across complex banking products and portfolios. Direct cross-functional teams to deliver regulatory compliance solutions, manage regulatory examinations and audits, oversee large-scale risk and transformation projects, and partner with senior leadership, regulators, and stakeholders to address emerging regulatory requirements. Drive governance, risk reporting, policy implementation, talent development, and adherence to global regulatory standards while ensuring effective risk management and organizational accountability. Increased quality scores from 54% to 95.8%. Maintained Control Effectiveness scores at 100%. Led integration of Tableau, Salesforce, and Microsoft Copilot to improve workflow and productivity.

Loan Production Manager/Mortgage Loan Officer

Homewise, Inc.
Santa Fe, NM
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Led mortgage loan processing operations, retraining the team and increased delivery of 100% of loans on original purchase contract dates. Managed coaching, hiring, compensation, budget approval, and system use across POS and LOS while partnering with vendors, customers, and internal teams to maintain compliance, risk management, and service goals.

Finance and Operations Specialist/CFO

Mesa Photonics, LLC
Santa Fe, NM
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Managed finance and operations for the company, overseeing DOE and insurance audits, employee assessments, HR components, forecasting, budget realignment, tax filing, and production inventory. Partnered with the company president on margins and growth planning, and worked with local government to increase awareness of funding opportunities.

Business Development, Regional Trainer, Store Manager, VP

TD Bank
Salem, MA
01.2011 - 01.2019
  • Drove branch performance from #298 of 304 to #4 in one year while maintaining production as a key contributing store. Interpreted risk and control data, advised senior leadership with executive-ready reporting, reduced financial discrepancies through coaching and budget management, and developed employees through regional training, leadership standards, and business development initiatives.

Education

Ph.D. - Organizational Management/Leadership

Capella University

Skills

  • Strategic leadership
  • Operational excellence
  • KPI tracking
  • Policies and procedures
  • Staff development
  • Operations management
  • Client engagement/development
  • Strategic planning
  • Performance improvement
  • Business development
  • Innovation management
  • Employee development
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem resolution
  • Financial management

Certification

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt

Timeline

Regulatory Risk Group Manager

SVP Citi
01.2021 - Current

Loan Production Manager/Mortgage Loan Officer

Homewise, Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2021

Finance and Operations Specialist/CFO

Mesa Photonics, LLC
01.2019 - 01.2020

Business Development, Regional Trainer, Store Manager, VP

TD Bank
01.2011 - 01.2019

Ph.D. - Organizational Management/Leadership

Capella University
Kara Brooks Halas