LAUREN WENDLING
Summary
Strategic financial services executive with over 20 years of experience in leading institutional relationship management and structured finance operations. Recognized for cultivating trusted partnerships and facilitating seamless execution of complex transactions that support over $5B in structured finance assets.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director | Compliance, Operations & Strategic Relationships
American Financial Group
01.2018 - Current
- Lead operational strategy and relationship management supporting 35 structured finance portfolios representing more than $5B in assets.
- Cultivates trusted partnerships across institutional investment ecosystem, ensuring seamless execution of complex transactions and delivering exceptional client service.
- Selected as the primary executive liaison among portfolio managers, institutional investors, trustees, arranging banks, rating agencies, auditors, legal counsel, and trading counterparties.
- Partner with executive leadership on portfolio structuring, investor communications, operational readiness, and institutional marketing initiatives.
- Negotiate strategic vendor and trustee agreements that strengthened long-term partnerships while optimizing pricing and service levels.
- Drive enterprise-wide process improvements through database innovation, executive reporting enhancements, workflow optimization, and oversight of syndicated loan settlements, CLO compliance reporting, investor reporting, and cash management.
Senior Investment / Operations Specialist
American Financial Group
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Advised portfolio managers on compliance analytics, trade scenario analysis, pricing support, and portfolio optimization to enhance investment strategies.
- Influenced successful execution of complex structured finance transactions through collaboration with banks, trustees, pricing vendors, and legal teams.
- Established credibility as cross-functional partner by resolving operational risks and providing actionable insights to senior stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Managed financial operations to ensure compliance and optimize resource allocation.
Compliance Analyst / Office Assistant
American Financial Group
01.2002 - 01.2012
- Advanced from co-op to investment professional through strong performance and leadership growth.
- Designed internal settlement and reporting systems enhancing reporting accuracy and supporting executive decision-making.
- Oversaw investment strategies and managed client relationships at American Money Management.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OHSkills
- Executive Relationship Management
- Institutional Client Engagement
- Strategic Partnerships
- Business Development Support
- Structured Finance
- CLO Platforms
- Syndicated Loans
- Capital Markets
- Executive Communications
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Vendor Negotiation
- Operational Strategy
- Compliance Leadership
- Process Improvement
Professional Highlights
- 20+ years of progressive leadership within institutional asset management and structured finance.
- Trusted advisor supporting 35 structured finance portfolios totaling more than $5B in assets.
- Built long-term executive relationships across institutional investors, trustees, banks, rating agencies, auditors, and portfolio managers.
- Selected to support executive investor roadshows and institutional marketing initiatives.
- Negotiated strategic vendor and trustee agreements while strengthening partnerships and improving commercial outcomes.
- Designed enterprise database and reporting solutions adopted by executive leadership.
Timeline
Director | Compliance, Operations & Strategic Relationships
American Financial Group
01.2018 - Current
Senior Investment / Operations Specialist
American Financial Group
01.2012 - 01.2018
Compliance Analyst / Office Assistant
American Financial Group
01.2002 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Cincinnati