The Founder
Cecilia is considered a thought-leader in the regulations and compliance space, recognised by Finews as one of Crypto Valley’s Top Female Talents.
Cecilia is an experienced operator and domain expert who has advised publicly traded and private financial firms, technology companies, asset managers, family offices, foundations, fintechs, entrepreneurs, and governments. She has mentored cross-functional teams in obtaining digital banking licenses, transforming functions with emerging technologies, adapting to new regulations, and assessing and evaluating regtech tools for implementation. She drafted CVA Code of Conduct for the community which is still standing.
She has successfully built compliance and risk programs and systems from the ground up five times and has represented entities such as the Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin protocols, SIX Exchange, Deutsche Boerse, and China Construction Bank Zurich. She has worked alongside the World Bank and McKinsey on various transformational projects that built digital infrastructure, benefitting tens of millions while fulfilling five UN SDG goals. Prior to UBS, she worked at the BIS in setting standards. Earlier in her career she worked at the United Nations, and US Department of State in Washington, D.C..
Accomplishments
With over a decade of experience in risk management, algorithms, and high-performance computing, she has managed systemic and macroeconomic risks at UBS, SIX, and Deutsche Boerse during various crises and regulatory changes. Cecilia has been invited as a technical expert at the Council of Europe’s AI Committee Huderia Platform. She is a co-founder and former Chairperson of the 100 Women in Finance Zurich Education Committee and is currently a member of the Global Fintech Committee.
Cecilia began her finance career at the Bank for International Settlements and worked for UBS’ Investment Bank and its Wealth Management arm, Deutsche Boerse, SIX Exchange as well as China Construction Bank Zurich. As Chief Compliance Officer, MLRO, DPO, and Senior Regulatory Officer she was responsible for strategy, driving an effective risk culture throughout the company, maintaining risk and compliance frameworks, overseeing risk management, regulatory compliance and internal governance practices across multiple business units. She has built a commercial bank, trading room and clearing hub for medium and large corporates from the ground up. She served as Company Secretary for the Strategy & Technology, Risk, and Audit Board Committees at Seba Bank.
Awards & Learning for Life
She received a cross-divisional, team leadership award in risk at UBS and a commendation letter from the United Nations for leading a global movement in over 130 countries early in her career.
Cecilia holds an E-MBA from the University of St. Gallen, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and dual degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. She has completed courses in Blue Dot AGI Strategy, Software Engineering, AI and Law, and holds certifications in IAPP Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional and Advanced Compliance Management from the University of St. Gallen. Cecilia speaks English, German, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.