Ofelia Polanco
Montclair,NJ
Summary
Dynamic financial services professional with over 15 years of experience in banking operations, specializing in Fixed Income, Derivatives, Corporate Actions, and project management. Known for thriving in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments, I excel in building strong relationships through exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
Recognized for a strong work ethic, adaptability, and the ability to work independently while mastering new skills quickly. Adept at managing high-pressure situations and delivering high-quality results with speed and precision.
Proven track record as a reliable senior analyst skilled in client management, business operations, and leadership. Expert in project management, with a history of successfully handling multiple tasks and providing strategic insights to drive business growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelancer
Small Business Consulting
, NJ
05.2023 - Current
- Conducted in-depth business analysis and provided strategic advice to improve operational efficiency, marketing, and financial performance for small businesses.
- Developed tailored business plans, financial projections, and market strategies to support growth and profitability.
- Advised on best practices for budgeting, cash flow management, and cost reduction to enhance financial stability.
- Provided guidance on digital marketing strategies, including social media, SEO, and content marketing, to increase brand visibility and customer engagement.
- Assisted with the development and implementation of business processes, systems, and procedures to streamline operations.
- Coached business owners on leadership, team management, and customer relationship strategies to foster a positive business culture.
- Conducted workshops and one-on-one training sessions on business planning, marketing, and financial management skills.
Assistant Community Leader
The Intentional Woman Community
Newark, NJ
01.2022 - Current
- Assisted in leading the Intention Woman Community, fostering a supportive environment focused on personal growth, faith, and empowerment for women.
- Hosted and facilitated the monthly Faith Room, creating a safe space for members to explore and deepen their spiritual journeys through discussions, prayer, and faith-based teachings.
- Developed and delivered engaging financial literacy workshops, equipping community members with practical tools and Biblical principles for managing personal finances, budgeting, and wealth building.
- Supported community outreach initiatives and collaborated with leadership to plan and execute events, workshops, and group activities that align with the community's mission.
- Acted as a mentor and resource for members, providing guidance, encouragement, and support to help them achieve their personal and spiritual goals.
- Managed communication with community members, including updates, event promotions, and gathering feedback to enhance community engagement and programming.
- Contributed to the growth of the community by identifying and implementing strategies to increase participation, improve member experience, and expand the community's impact.
Associate Manager
Prudential Global Investment Management
Newark , NJ
09.2019 - 05.2023
- Investigating high-risk issues across various teams by determining the root cause, performing an analysis, developing control enhancements, and monitoring the implementation of the risk-mitigation action plans.
- Performed daily checks to control the operational risks for my area of responsibility, which included domestic, global bonds, and foreign exchange.
- Worked closely with the PGIM Operational Risk department to investigate all operational errors. Compiled, inputted, and analyzed the required risk information for the Risk Management Committee.
Senior Analyst
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
Newark, NJ
07.2007 - 02.2019
- Asked to join the Confirmation/Settlement team based on my proven abilities to work with many different departments and effectively train junior team members
- Ensure proper confirmation and settlements for all bond trades including corporate, high yield, money market, municipal, and emerging market
- Routinely review current processes to ensure that strong controls and procedures are in place for all activity within the department
- The last year has shown dramatic improvements including: 79% decrease in process breach, 57% decrease in the team’s overall error rate, and 43% decrease in treasury penalties
- Principal trainer for all new hires to ensure they have the proper understanding of the full lifecycle for all trade types and a comprehension of our policies and procedures
- Manage the business relationships with our top 10 brokers; providing feedback, hosting annual in-house meetings, and creating working groups for information sharing
- Lead member of the Fixed Income Operations Diversity Committee from 2009-2015
- I was responsible for developing an annual diversity workshop for over 120 Fixed Income associates.
Operations Risk Analyst
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
Newark, NJ
05.2015 - 03.2016
- Promoted to this independent role and tasked with investigating high-risk issues across various teams by determining the root cause, performing an analysis, developing control enhancements, and monitoring the implementation of the risk-mitigation action plans
- Performed daily checks to control the operational risks for my area of responsibility that included domestic, global bonds, and foreign exchange
- Worked closely with the PGIM Operational Risk department to investigate all operational errors
- Compiled, input, and analyzed the required risk information for the Risk Management Committee.
Senior Specialist
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
Newark, NJ
01.2010 - 05.2015
- Promoted to the Corporate Action group based on my success in the Rotation Program, my interest, and a business need
- Routinely examined mandatory and voluntary corporate action event notifications, solicited elections, communicated election decisions, and processed all security and cash payments
- Designed, developed, and refined the corporate action internal database, resulting in a significant increase in accuracy, production, and accountability
- Liaised with portfolio managers, counterparties, vendors, legal, credit, pricing, compliance, transfer agents, issuers, and custodian banks relating to corporate actions, bankruptcies, and class actions
- Reviewed, researched, and developed departmental policies, guidelines, and procedures
- Trained and developed new associates on core team functions
- Became the go-to person for many inquiries both internally and externally
- Co-developed the bank’s pilot Community Leadership Program within Fixed Income Operations in 2011
- This initiative partnered associates with management team based on their developmental needs
- The program was so successful that it was rolled out to the larger organization in 2014.
Education
Certification - Entrepreneurial Studies
Cornell University
12-2022
Certification - Diversity And Inclusion
Cornell University
02-2021
Master in Business Administration - Management/Risk Management
Saint Peter’s University
Jersey City, NJB.S. in Business Administration - Finance
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJSkills
- Fixed Income
- Derivatives
- Corporate Actions
- Project Management
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Financial Services
- Banking Operations
- Training
- Process Improvement
- Risk Analysis
- Database Management
- Policies & Procedures Development Relationship Building
- Team Management
- Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives Securities Lending Operations Cost Analysis
- Legal Confirmations
- Trade Discrepancy Resolution
- Product Support
- Research Analysis
- Clearing Operations
- Documentation
- MS Office Suite
- DTCC
- Bloomberg
- Blackrock Aladdin Trading System Lotus Notes
- Omgeo Systems
- Client management
- Client Relationship
- Data Analysis
- Risk Mitigation
- Workflow Analysis
- Information Gathering
- Documentation & Reporting
- Trend Analysis
- Incident Reporting
- Team Collaboration & Leadership
- Analytical Thinking
- Business Operations Analysis
- Process Improvements
- Verbal & Written Communication
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Timeline
Freelancer
Small Business Consulting
05.2023 - Current
Assistant Community Leader
The Intentional Woman Community
01.2022 - Current
Associate Manager
Prudential Global Investment Management
09.2019 - 05.2023
Operations Risk Analyst
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
05.2015 - 03.2016
Senior Specialist
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
01.2010 - 05.2015
Senior Analyst
Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM)
07.2007 - 02.2019
Certification - Entrepreneurial Studies
Cornell University
Certification - Diversity And Inclusion
Cornell University
Master in Business Administration - Management/Risk Management
Saint Peter’s University
B.S. in Business Administration - Finance
New Jersey City University
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