Ulysses Avila
Chicago,IL
Summary
Advanced Program Manager with experience leading enterprise data and technology initiatives within regulated banking environments. Skilled in driving execution across complex cross-functional programs through strategic planning, governance alignment, risk management, and enterprise delivery coordination.
Recognized for building strong partnerships across business and technology teams, navigating ambiguity within high-visibility initiatives, and driving alignment across matrixed teams to support successful delivery outcomes.
Coordinated delivery efforts for strategic modernization initiatives including Finastra GPP Wires System, Payplus Wires Upgrade, HSA First Dollar integration, MDM Upgrade, and Wintrust Life Finance. Also supporting ongoing enterprise transformation efforts involving Curinos and Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) initiatives.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced Program Manager
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Rosemont, Illinois
05.2023 - Current
- Lead enterprise data management and modernization initiatives within regulated banking environments, driving cross-functional coordination, governance alignment, delivery execution, and strategic program oversight across high-visibility enterprise programs.
- Coordinated delivery efforts for initiatives including Finastra GPP Wires modernization, HSA First Dollar integration, MDM Upgrade, and Wintrust Life Finance programs. Also supporting ongoing enterprise transformation efforts involving Curinos and Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC) initiatives.
- Serve as a strategic liaison across business, technology, governance, compliance, and vendor teams to align enterprise requirements, manage dependencies, support roadmap planning, and drive release readiness across matrixed teams.
- Coordinate enterprise-wide stakeholder engagement involving Data Warehouse, MDM, MuleSoft, Information Security, Financial Controls, Compliance Technology, Finance, and Governance teams to support execution alignment, risk mitigation, issue resolution, and delivery transparency.
- Coordinate enterprise governance and operational readiness efforts through proactive risk identification, dependency tracking, audit/control coordination, test readiness oversight, vendor management, and cross-functional escalation management within highly regulated environments.
- Recognized for maintaining composure under pressure, navigating ambiguity, simplifying complex delivery challenges, and building collaborative partnerships that support successful enterprise program outcomes.
Project Manager
T-Mobile
Chicago, Illinois
02.2007 - 03.2023
- Managed cross-functional operational priorities and process improvement efforts, fostering accountability and collaboration within team development.
- Led operational planning, team coordination, and performance management initiatives in high-volume environments, enhancing leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Developed relationship management and strategic communication skills that translated into successful enterprise program management in regulated banking technology environments.
Education
MBA - Project Management
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN06-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Audio Design And Production
Columbia College
Chicago, IL06-2008
Skills
- Enterprise Program Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Release & Go-Live Management
- Governance & Risk Alignment
- Regulatory & Compliance Coordination
- Vendor & Dependency Coordination
- Escalation & Issue Resolution
- Business & Technology Alignment
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Enterprise Delivery Execution
- Dependency & Risk Management
- Stakeholder & Executive Communication
Certification
- DCAM (Data Management Capability Assessment Model)
Timeline
Advanced Program Manager
Wintrust Financial Corporation
05.2023 - Current
Project Manager
T-Mobile
02.2007 - 03.2023
MBA - Project Management
Purdue University Global
Bachelor of Arts - Audio Design And Production
Columbia College