Dawn Russo

Business Development Executive

Gilbert, Arizona, United States15 yrs 6 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Expert in financial crimes risk management and compliance.
Proven track record in leading strategic initiatives.
Strong ability to enhance cross-functional collaboration.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech expert with a strong focus on compliance and risk management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Risk ManagementCompliance Management

Other Skills

CIPCDDAMLSanctionsBeneficial OwnershipCross Functional GovernanceDocumentationProcess ImprovementConflict ResolutionRisk AssessmentRegulatory ComplianceStrategic DirectionAuditingTeam LeadershipStakeholder Collaboration

About

I support Wells Fargo Business Financial Crimes by helping establish, strengthen, and oversee end‑to‑end financial crimes processes across channels and products, with a strong focus on CIP, CDD, AML, Sanctions, Beneficial Ownership, and Cross Functional Governance. I partner closely with business, operations, and technology teams to identify risks early, conduct thorough due diligence, and document key decisions to promote consistency and transparency. My role includes managing defects and process gaps, supporting readiness for high priority initiatives, and maintaining clear target state roadmaps ensuring work progresses with strong visibility, accountability, and disciplined execution.

Experience

15 yrs 6 mos

Total Experience

12 yrs 6 mos

Average Tenure

15 yrs 6 mos

Current Experience

Wells fargo

Business Accountability Specialists

Mar 2026 – Present · 2 mos · Chandler, AZ · Hybrid

Supports Wells Fargo Business Financial Crimes by establishing and overseeing end‑to‑end financial crimes processes across channels and products, with a strong focus on Customer Identification Program (CIP), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Sanctions, Beneficial Ownership (BO), and Cross‑Functional governance.
Strengthens financial crimes risk management by identifying concerns early and driving timely due diligence, reducing downstream regulatory and operational exposure.
Improves consistency and transparency through clear documentation of key decisions, supporting auditability and regulatory exam readiness.
Advances execution of high‑priority initiatives by managing defects and process gaps, accelerating issue resolution and preventing repeat findings.
Enhances cross‑functional alignment by partnering with business, operations, and technology teams to ensure shared accountability and disciplined delivery.
Establishes and maintains target‑state roadmaps that increase visibility into priorities, dependencies, and ownership enabling predictable, well‑governed execution across the financial crimes framework.

CIPCDDAMLSanctionsBeneficial OwnershipCross Functional Governance+4

Wells fargo home mtg

Business Execution Consultant - Chief Administration Office AVP

Dec 2010 – Present · 15 yrs 5 mos · Chandler, Arizona, United States · Hybrid

Exercise independent judgment to guide risk deliverables and provide strategic direction across diverse support functions and operations.
Conduct comprehensive assessments using a data-driven approach to address non-compliance or materialization issues under FHA, VA, USDA, FHLMC, and FNMA guidelines; deliver detailed summaries outlining issue identification, root cause analysis, remediation steps, and corrective action plans.
Collaborate with Governance, Legal, Regulatory, and Remediation teams to drive strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with enterprise risk objectives.
Partner with external agencies to mitigate risk exposure and maintain compliance with regulatory expectations.
Lead initiatives in strategizing, planning, and executing programs and services to strengthen operational effectiveness.
Own and manage multiple policies, performing thorough assessments and driving timely updates to ensure alignment with bank and credit policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Conduct second-level reviews of high-priority initiatives at the executive level to ensure accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment.

Compliance ManagementConflict ResolutionRisk AssessmentRegulatory ComplianceStrategic DirectionRisk Management

Wells fargo

Underwriter Associate Manager, AVP

Dec 2010 – Jun 2023 · 12 yrs 6 mos

Led a team of 24 underwriters through transition from retail operations to regulatory-focused work in default servicing, ensuring compliance and continuity, while fostering a positive, high-performing team culture that drove quality outcomes.
Honored as a high performer within the department for consistent excellence and impact.
Supported high-impact, regulatory critical initiatives by partnering with cross functional stakeholders to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and deliver strategic outcomes.
Collaborated with key stakeholders and Sr Leadership within the Business Execution group to drive strategic initiatives and align goals across departments
Improved internal controls, leading to the successful enhancement of critical business processes and execution of high-priority initiatives.
Researched and analyzed process improvement opportunities across internal and cross-functional teams, reducing loss exposure and operational risk.
Partnered with multi-level functional teams to recommend decisions in complex scenarios, facilitate issue resolution, and support the implementation of strategic solutions.

AuditingCompliance ManagementTeam LeadershipProcess ImprovementStakeholder CollaborationRisk Management