Mihaela Ciocanu McNeill, MBA, CAMS, CFCS
Midlothian,VA
Summary
Senior leader in Fraud, Risk and Operations with a track record of designing and scaling enterprise-wide financial crime programs for fast-growing institutions. Adept at building high-performance teams, optimizing onboarding and fraud controls, partnering with product and engineering, and communicating complex risk concepts to executives and regulators. Proven ability to deliver measurable reduction in losses, improve customer experience and achieve regulatory readiness.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of BSA and Fraud Mitigation
Langley Federal Credit Union
Newport News, Virginia
03.2024 - Current
- Designed and executed comprehensive Fraud Mitigation Strategy, aligning AML/CTF requirements with enterprise risk management.
- Achieved 25% reduction in fraud incidents in 2024 through collaboration on advanced anti-fraud technologies.
- Developed Enhanced Due Diligence Program, including technical design, policy creation, and training initiatives.
- Managed anti-fraud initiatives during rollout of Zelle Payments, Digital Cards, and Instant Payments.
Head of Risk and Fraud (Contract)
JewelBank
, Bermuda
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Elaborated the Bank's fraud management and prevention procedure in line with its anti-fraud policy; oversee readiness for regulator demos.
- Architected a comprehensive suite of anti-fraud monitoring rules in Unit 21; established living governance for ongoing improvements.
- Partner with leadership to prepare the organization for regulatory oversight by Bermuda Monetary Authority
Fraud Manager
Treecard
Remote
08.2022 - 03.2023
- Created and developed Treecard's fraud prevention strategy, policies and procedure to ensure compliance with the company's acquiring bank.
- Successfully laid the foundation of the company's Fraud Operations team by hiring and training fraud analyst staff
- Oversaw the optimization and maintenance of customer onboarding rules through Sardine and fraud monitoring rules through Unit 21.
Manager, Account Takeover Fraud
Robinhood
Denver, CO
04.2021 - 07.2022
- Directed 65+ ATO investigators; reduced negative equity 34% MoM through process improvements and targeted controls
- Collaborated with Trust and Engineering to deploy ATO detection controls; improved model precision and response items
- Scaled investigative capacity, doubling team size and automating key workflows, 60% reduction in open ATO cases in Q3 2021
Head of USA Onboarding, Risk and Anti-Fraud
SumUp
Boulder, CO
02.2019 - 04.2021
- Decoupled SumUp USA's fraud operations from Sofia, enhancing merchant satisfaction through localized onboarding and case handling.
- Oversaw integration of two fraud prevention and identity verification providers, reducing account closure rate by 15% and bad debt rate by 50 basis points.
- Drove overall chargeback ratio down to 30 basis points in Q1 2020 by optimizing transaction monitoring and investigative processes.
Fraud Expert
OnDeck Capital
Denver, CO
05.2018 - 02.2019
- Served as subject matter expert for high-risk fraud and compliance investigations.
- Reduced OnDeck fraud losses from $600,000 to under $50,000 monthly within three months.
- Developed and trained staff on new Fraud Investigative Procedures at OnDeck.
- Led establishment of OnDeck's Financial Intelligence Unit, optimizing OFAC, AML Red Flag, and Law Enforcement Outreach processes.
AML/CTF Manager
Western Union
Denver, CO
10.2012 - 05.2018
- Led integration of compliance efforts in Business Solutions with broader Financial Intelligence Unit.
- Oversaw terror finance investigations, liaising with national and international law enforcement agencies.
- Directed training for staff and reviewed over 5,000 Western Union Agent locations globally in 2017.
- Managed a team of over 6 investigators to enhance investigative capabilities.
- Assisted Financial Intelligence Unit in responding to regulatory requests from Australia, Spain, and Sweden.
- Conducted investigations of high-risk consumers and Agent locations across Eastern Europe, United States, Central America, and Philippines.
- Communicated results of investigations effectively to compliance organization leadership team.
Project Manager
SDL International
Louisville, CO
05.2011 - 10.2012
- Managed 23 active localization projects for Europe and EMEA divisions of Motorola Solutions.
- Coordinated engineering, translation, and desktop publishing processes to ensure timely delivery.
Research and Operations Assistant
World Bank
Chisinau, Moldova
11.2009 - 07.2010
- Managed Task Team Leader support system for Moldova Social Investment Fund in preparation for Second Additional Financing of $20MM.
- Launched project to strengthen Moldovan Social Safety Net through collaboration with government officials from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Social Protection.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - World Economy And Intl. Economic Relations
Academy of Economic Studies
Chisinau, Moldova05.2009
MBA - Decision Sciences
University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO05.2012
Certification
Strategic Operations Leadership
Fraud & AML Program Management
Onboarding & Identity Verification Optimization
Regulatory Liaison & Demos
Cross-functional Product & Engineering Collaboration
Vendor & Platform Partnerships
KPI Development & Executive Reporting
Team Building & Talent Development
Fraud & AML Program Management
Onboarding & Identity Verification Optimization
Regulatory Liaison & Demos
Cross-functional Product & Engineering Collaboration
Vendor & Platform Partnerships
KPI Development & Executive Reporting
Team Building & Talent Development
Timeline
Director of BSA and Fraud Mitigation
Langley Federal Credit Union
03.2024 - Current
Head of Risk and Fraud (Contract)
JewelBank
08.2023 - 12.2023
Fraud Manager
Treecard
08.2022 - 03.2023
Manager, Account Takeover Fraud
Robinhood
04.2021 - 07.2022
Head of USA Onboarding, Risk and Anti-Fraud
SumUp
02.2019 - 04.2021
Fraud Expert
OnDeck Capital
05.2018 - 02.2019
AML/CTF Manager
Western Union
10.2012 - 05.2018
Project Manager
SDL International
05.2011 - 10.2012
Research and Operations Assistant
World Bank
11.2009 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Arts - World Economy And Intl. Economic Relations
Academy of Economic Studies
MBA - Decision Sciences
University of Colorado Denver