Patricia Smolsky
Redondo Beach,CA
Summary
Experienced Operational Risk and Compliance professional with over 15 years in the financial services industry, specifically within Fintech and Wealth Management industries. Proven ability to assess, manage, and mitigate operational risk through the development and implementation of robust risk management frameworks, controls, contract management and compliance strategies. Adept at identifying process inefficiencies, regulatory gaps, and ensuring adherence to industry standards. A strong communicator with expertise in cultivating a risk-aware culture and driving continuous improvement across operations, both with internal and external clients.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Risk Advisor
SightSpan
01.2025 - Current
- Provides expert advice on risk mitigation techniques, ensuring optimal operational and regulatory risk compliance.
- Assesses regulatory compliance requirements to ensure adherence to industry standards and minimize legal exposure.
- Develops and implements key risk controls, including policies, procedures, processes and audit management.
- Reviews and assigns necessary compliance training for Board of Directors, Senior Leaders and other recommended staff.
Senior Manager, Payments Risk
KeyBank
04.2021 - 01.2022
- Developed and authored a comprehensive Payments Risk Appetite Statement.
- Supported continued maturity for an enhanced risk governance model and payments risk framework.
- Completed initiatives to help bolster regulatory compliance and cost savings.
Senior Director, Risk Management
Green Dot
02.2018 - 10.2020
- Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Directed design and execution of risk program transformation initiatives to drive overall compliance needs, regulatory exam success and efficiency.
- Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
VP, Risk Management
The Bancorp
10.2012 - 02.2018
- Led the development and implementation of operational risk management strategies, focusing on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across the institution’s operations, including investment management and client advisory services.
- Conducted regular risk assessments, evaluated the effectiveness of existing controls, and recommended improvements to minimize legal risk.
- Performed oversight and completion of internal and external audit processes, ensuring that key operational and financial risks were properly monitored and controlled.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, including SEC, FINRA, and state laws governing RIAs, and prepared for both state and regulatory audits and examinations.
- Created and presented reporting documents for the Board of Directors, Risk Committees and other senior leaders, as needed.
Education
J.D. - Corporate Law
Villanova School of Law
Villanova12-2004
BBA - International Business
The George Washington University
Washington, D.C.05-1999
Skills
- Operational, Enterprise and Third-Party risk management
- Audit coordination
- Regulatory exam management
- Compliance monitoring
- Incident response
- Internal control development and mapping
- Vendor and partner due diligence and risk assessments
- Information security
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Team leadership
- Reliability and multitasking
Additional Experience
2007-current
Contract and Consulting Roles:
- Spare, CS
- Embark Financial, LLC
- Airbnb
Full Time:
- Senior Auditor
- Associate Attorney
Timeline
Senior Risk Advisor
SightSpan
01.2025 - Current
Senior Manager, Payments Risk
KeyBank
04.2021 - 01.2022
Senior Director, Risk Management
Green Dot
02.2018 - 10.2020
VP, Risk Management
The Bancorp
10.2012 - 02.2018
J.D. - Corporate Law
Villanova School of Law
BBA - International Business
The George Washington University
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