Geronimo Diaz

Experience

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  Banco Occidental de Descuento

  Sept 1992 - Jun 2013

  As VP of the International Banking Division, I held strategic leadership roles across Finance, Credit, Risk, Compliance, Strategic Planning, and Operations. Collaborating closely with internal control and audit teams, I gained a comprehensive, 360-degree perspective of the banking business. This experience enabled me to drive a customer-centric approach, emphasizing operational efficiency, proactive risk management, and the delivery of competitive products and services supported by cutting-edge technology.Key Achievements:• Governance & Risk Management: Managed the International Banking Division across multiple countries, ensuring governance and adherence to the Enterprise Risk Management framework, while fostering a strong risk culture.• Client Advisory Leadership: Directed services for top-tier clients, providing customized investment advice and corporate finance solutions. Maintained direct client engagement while supporting sales teams in navigating and closing complex deals effectively• High-Net-Worth Client Support: Led advisory teams specializing in Private Banking and High-Net-Worth (HNW) client solutions, providing onshore, offshore, IWM Financial services including trust and legal services. • Operational Efficiency: Implemented innovative strategies to enhance project efficiency, achieving a 31% cost reduction through a three-year business reengineering initiative. Standardized products, services, processes, and reporting while unifying the IT core system and vendor services.• Regulatory Compliance: Designed and enforced comprehensive regulatory compliance, risk management Programs, and AML/ATF policies. Successfully implemented a records information management framework, strengthening governance and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple countries.• International Integration: Spearheaded the integration of onshore and offshore banking services within BOD Finance Group, facilitating cross sales within international units. Show less I take immense pride in my tenure as Director of the Brokerage Unit at Banco Occidental de Descuento (BOD). In this role, I had the honor of leading a dedicated team and spearheading strategic initiatives that played a pivotal role in the bank's growth and the success of our clients. My responsibilities involved navigating complex financial markets, designing innovative investment solutions, and cultivating strong relationships with top-tier clientele.A cornerstone of my approach was the implementation of robust risk management policies, ensuring that our strategies were not only profitable but also safeguarded against potential risks. This experience enhanced my expertise in brokerage and investment services while reaffirming my dedication to delivering excellence, client-centric solutions, and sound risk management practices.Key Achievements:• Tailored Client Solutions: Directed the creation and delivery of customized investment proposals, corporate finance services, and banking solutions for top-tier clients.• Revenue Growth: Developed and executed cross-selling strategies for international finance products and services, significantly enhancing revenue streams.• Sales Team Development: Strengthened product knowledge within sales teams by integrating compliance policies, reducing risks during client onboarding.• Governance Leadership: Established and maintained the Ethics Committee with 100% attendance from members for five consecutive years.• Process Optimization: Enhanced risk and finance reporting processes and practices, improving accuracy and decision-making.• Strategic Growth Support: Chaired the Sales Practices Committee, actively contributing to sustainable business growth.. Show less I take great pride in having served as Vice President at VOI Mutual Fund, where I had the privilege of contributing to the growth and success of a dynamic and complex sector. Throughout my tenure, I led initiatives that not only expanded our market presence but also enhanced the financial well-being of our clients. My role afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals, build strong relationships with key stakeholders, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of mutual fund management. This experience has been both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling, and I am eager to bring this passion and expertise to new opportunities.Key Achievements:• Sales & Distribution Strategy: Led and integrated sales and distribution strategies across banking units, driving growth in the mutual fund market under VOI Sociedad Administradora de Fondos Mutuales.• Regulatory Framework Enhancement: Partnered with regulators to improve the regulatory and investment framework within the Venezuelan mutual fund sector.• Reporting & Compliance: Supervised the preparation of accounting and finance reports, as well as risk reports for external auditors and regulatory authorities.• Fund Management: Managed three mutual funds—VOI Equity Mutual Fund, VOI Balanced Mutual Fund, and VOI Fixed-Income Mutual Fund—providing a diversified range of products to discerning clients.• Goal Setting & Execution: Set and achieved sales targets, internal goals, and implementation timelines, while establishing compensation structures for fund management and staff.• Investor Relations: Fostered strong relationships with key shareholders and potential investors, discussing fund mandates, performance, and risk investment profiles. Show less

  • Vice president, International Banking

    Nov 1998 - Jun 2013

  • UCMI Director Of Business Development

    Sept 1995 - Jun 2013

  • VOI Mutual Funds Vice President

    Sept 1992 - Sept 1995
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  Distrimix, Distribuciones Mixtas Venezuela / Mail Boxes Etc Colombia

  Jun 2013 - Dec 2020

  Director Business Strategy

  Successfully led an entrepreneurial venture focused on product distribution in the logistics and shipping industry, achieving measurable growth and operational efficiency.• Leadership & Governance: Directed Finance, Accounting, Tax, and Administration departments, implementing internal policies and controls to maximize profitability.• Sales Growth: Achieved an 11% year-over-year sales increase by analyzing sales metrics and driving data-informed decision-making through administrative software adoption.• Operational Efficiency: Restructured financial and operational cost centers, automating sales channels and introducing administrative controls, resulting in a 22% reduction in operational costs, a 17% reduction in administrative costs, and an 18% increase in gross income.• Market Expansion: Implemented a Business Intelligence program that boosted market share by 35% over two years, optimizing inventory management and distribution times through close collaboration with the Sales department.Key Skills: Business Strategy · Business Intelligence (BI) · Financial Modeling · Product Development · Strategic Communications · Pricing Strategy · Government Relations · Coaching · Digital Strategy · Executive Leadership. Show less

• 

  Scotiabank

  Jan 2022 - now

  Senior Manager, Risk Advisor, Internal Control, Non-Financial Risk - International Banking

  • Spearheaded the rollout and oversight of operational risk programs, such as New Initiatives Risk Assessment (NIRA), operational losses (fraud & non-fraud), risk and compliance self-assessment (RCSAs), Scenario Analysis, issue management, Key Regulatory Indicators (KRIs), and third party risk management (TPRM), driving governance & control environment improvements and supporting business lines during audit reviews.• Led the escalation and triage processes of operational risk events (OREs) by identifying risks, analyzing root causes, and advising business lines (1A) and internal control teams (1B), enhancing risk governance and compliance with policies and standards.• Produced executive risk reports and dashboards, including KPIs & KRIs, emerging risks alerts, operational losses, and issue management action plans updates. Supporting strategic decision-making and audit reviews.• Conducted the operational risk appetite (RA) annual assessment, presenting consolidated data for executive approval, to risk committees, and reporting monthly results.• Participated in complex risk mitigation projects, including P&L allocation, data breaches, and internal fraud. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to map control failures, develop risk mitigation action plans, and ensuring alignment with strategic risk management goals.• Developed and led Quality Assurance Testing initiatives for AML/KYC onboarding and FATCA/CRS control inventory, across retail banking, wealth management, and corporate and commercial banking, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. Show less