SANDRA B. GALLO
Linkedin.com/in/sandra-b-gallo
Summary
Visionary and results-driven Senior Banking Executive with 15+ years of progressive experience, positioned to lead Information and Innovation Strategy for a high-growth community bank. Proven success leading digital transformation, core system conversion (FIS Horizon XE), risk mitigation, and exponential product revenue growth across $1.1B+ to $17B+ institutions. Expert in translating strategic vision into technical roadmap execution, consistently delivering bottom-line results and enhancing competitive positioning.
Core Expertise: Digital Strategy | Core System Conversion (FIS Horizon XE) | Product P&L & Roadmap | Innovation & FinTech Integration | Regulatory Compliance (BSA/AML, ACAMS, FDIC) | Vendor Negotiation & Management | Executive/Board Reporting.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VP, SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
American Riviera Bank
09.2020 - Current
- Company Assets: $1.2B
- Core System Conversion & Leadership: Served as the primary conversion lead for Deposits, XAA, and Deluxe during a major FIS Core Conversion. Produced 100+ technical reports and validated over 6,000 accounts to ensure clean data migration and regulatory adherence.
- Strategic P&L & Growth: Drove substantial fee income increases by redesigning core product offerings. Increased service charge income by 158% (+$208K YOY) and secured a 1,048% revenue increase for the Credit Card Program.
- Innovation & Project Management: Led six major product launches/conversions in 2022 and managed five concurrent product launches in 2024, including the post-launch completion of Online Account Opening (OAO), Lockbox, and Zelle integration, working around complex vendor functionality limitations.
- FinTech & Vendor Negotiation: Secured a 15% commission increase via negotiation for the Autobooks integration. Negotiated the Check Program contract, securing $44,000 in cash and incentives (a $38K turnaround from an annual loss).
- Risk & Compliance: Ensured zero adverse findings related to managed products during the 2023 FDIC Compliance exam and maintained compliance across all BSA/AML/OFAC requirements. Mitigated an operational risk involving ATM surcharges by implementing a new Deposit Rewards Program.
- Executive Training & Mentorship: Implemented a Bank-wide Product IQ training initiative with an 81% participation rate; trained and led technical validation teams of up to 19 staff during conversion go-live.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch innovative banking products aligning with customer needs.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor offerings to inform product strategy and enhance service delivery.
- Facilitated user research sessions to gather insights, improving product features based on client feedback.
- Established metrics for success, driving continuous improvement in product performance and customer satisfaction.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches, resulting in increased market share.
- Leveraged Agile methodologies for efficient project management and rapid iteration cycles in response to changing market demands.
VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER DEPOSIT PRODUCT MANAGER
Mechanics Bank
01.2018 - 09.2020
- Company Overview: Assets: $17B
- Managed the full product lifecycle and P&L for Deposit Products, defining strategy and pricing for a portfolio of $5B+ in deposits.
- Drove vendor contract value, successfully negotiating a renewal that secured an additional $1.5 Million in revenue over a five-year period.
- Coordinated merger efforts to align go-forward Consumer Deposit Products, fees, and client communication during the Rabobank/Mechanics Bank system conversion.
AVP, ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE (EDD) SUPERVISOR / SENIOR EDD ANALYST
Rabobank, N.A.
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Assets: $13B
- BSA/AML Compliance Leadership: Designed, implemented, and supervised a 'Best-In-Class' EDD Program for the bank, correcting program inefficiencies to satisfy regulatory requirements.
- Executive Reporting: Reported directly to the Compliance Director, presenting Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Executive Management and the Board of Directors.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SPECIALIST / BANK EXAMINER
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
05.2011 - 01.2015
- Directed operations reviews and led staff during numerous Safety and Soundness Examinations, with a focus on operational components, asset quality, and BSA/AML compliance, and IT for institutions up to $1.65 Billion in assets.
- Completed a Special Detail at the FDIC San Francisco Regional Office, reviewing and validating IT Examination findings for case managers, demonstrating technical audit and control expertise.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Executive Leadership in Banking
PACIFIC COAST BANKING SCHOOL (PCBS)
Seattle, WA08-2024
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
Sacramento, CA05-2011
Skills
Executive & Strategic Competencies
Product Strategy Product Road Mapping Pricing Strategy Competitive Analysis
Business Performance Management Contract Negotiation Negotiation and Persuasion
Cross-Functional Team Leadership Relationship Building Business Development
Technical Platforms & Systems
Core Systems: FIS Horizon XE (Expert: Build, Implementation, Validation), DCI iCore360, FISERV Premier (Functional)
Business Intelligence: Advanced H360 BI Course (Proficient), SQL (Basic), PowerBI/Tableau (User)
Regulatory & Compliance Expertise
Regulatory: BSA/AML/OFAC, Reg E, Reg Z, Dodd-Frank Act, Consumer Protection (FDIC Examiner)
Certification
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) (2015)
- Lean Six Sigma - Yellow Belt (2017)
- Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM) (2019)
Timeline
VP, SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
American Riviera Bank
09.2020 - Current
VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER DEPOSIT PRODUCT MANAGER
Mechanics Bank
01.2018 - 09.2020
AVP, ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE (EDD) SUPERVISOR / SENIOR EDD ANALYST
Rabobank, N.A.
01.2015 - 01.2018
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SPECIALIST / BANK EXAMINER
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
05.2011 - 01.2015
Graduate Certificate - Executive Leadership in Banking
PACIFIC COAST BANKING SCHOOL (PCBS)
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
Awards & Publications
- PCBS Distinguished Publication: Senior Management Paper, "The Banking Revolution: FinTech and the Future of Community Banks," was published (Top 10% of class). (October 2024)
- INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR (American Riviera Bank, August 2021)
- TOP CONTRIBUTOR: CORE CONVERSION MERGER PROJECT (Mechanics Bank, July 2020)
- HIGH PERFORMANCE CLUB (Rabobank, February 2016)
- STAR AWARD: BSA EXAMINATION FINDINGS (FDIC, May 2014)
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