Open To Work
Brenda West
Los Angeles
Summary
Results-driven professional with expertise in BSA/AML compliance and customer due diligence. Proven ability to develop and implement effective compliance frameworks that enhance regulatory adherence. Demonstrated success in driving strategic improvements to optimize compliance processes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant BSA Compliance Officer
Coinme, Inc.
Seattle
06.2023 - 03.2025
- Head global Cryptocurrency AML/BSA Program to develop and implement robust policies, procedures, training modules, and investigation workflows, including SAR and CTR filings.
- Foster a company-wide culture of compliance by spearheading enterprise-level AML/BSA training initiatives.
- Support annual compliance strategic planning by contributing to budgeting, vendor selection, systems integration, and continuous program improvements.
- Partner with product, IT and market expansion teams to define compliance frameworks aligned with international growth and innovative product rollouts.
- Directed compliance operations in accordance with FinCEN, OFAC, SEC, and state-specific MSB licensing and cryptocurrency regulations as well as Banking regulations, while maintaining strict adherence to AML, KYC, and sanctions requirements.
- Created the project plan and managed to eliminate an investigative backlog, successfully completing 1,800 EDD reviews, 900 sanctions investigations, and 3,600 customer service tickets within nine months.
- Improved data quality and enabled comprehensive risk assessments for mitigation or escalation decisions by redesigning and optimizing Sanctions Screening and EDD Investigation processes.
- Directed a 16-member compliance team, (including three assistant managers and 13 analysts), overseeing KYC/KYB, CDD, EDD, CTRs, sanctions reviews, and SAR filings.
- Aligned departmental workflows with regulatory best practices by authoring and implementing updated procedures for KYC, CDD, EDD, and Sanctions.
- Launched a strategic third-party partnership to strengthen due diligence capabilities and conduct deep identity verification on high-risk customers.
Sr. BSA/AML Consultant
Team Adhoc
Pasadena
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Investigated complex and escalated alerts involving potential suspicious activity, assessed risks, and prepared detailed documentation of findings and determinations.
- Reviewed AML alerts and reports, documented investigative actions, and ensured timely SAR filings and non-filings in full compliance with BSA regulatory deadlines.
- Performed customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) reviews on moderate- to high-risk clients to validate identities and assess financial crime exposure.
- Delivered AML compliance advisory support across business units, interpreted regulatory updates, and reinforced internal policies and control frameworks.
- Detected anomalies, red flags, and potential indicators of money laundering or other illicit activity by analyzing transactional and behavioral data.
- Monitored sanctions and politically exposed persons (PEP) watch lists, including OFAC and SDN.
Managing Director
Strategic Partners Consultants
Beverly Hills
06.2013 - 01.2021
- Led end-to-end execution of BSA/AML compliance projects to drive cross-functional teams and meet defined objectives, timelines, and regulatory expectations.
- Partnered with BSA/AML clients to define strategic roadmaps, set long-term goals, and guide both internal consultants and external stakeholders through timely project delivery.
- Oversaw consent order remediation projects under direct supervision of COO and managed a high-priority portfolio to ensure accuracy and integrity of regulatory reporting outputs.
- Monitored progress, identified risks, and communicated milestones and outcomes to executive board, senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Managed and directed teams of more than 100+ employees in the financial services sector, while revamping and redesigning the EDD and Sanctions department.
Chief Compliance Officer
Universal Bank
West Covina
06.2012 - 06.2013
- Championed enterprise-wide compliance initiatives to ensure full alignment with federal and state regulatory frameworks.
- Directed compliance operations in accordance with FinCEN, OFAC, and state-specific Banking regulations and laws, while maintaining strict adherence to AML, KYC, and sanctions requirements.
- Enhanced regulatory acumen and fostered a culture of integrity by designing and facilitating comprehensive compliance training programs organization-wide.
- Spearheaded deployment and governance of AML and sanctions screening systems as well as leveraged automation and industry-standard tools.
- Compiled and delivered compliance performance metrics and regulatory updates to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Led timely regulatory exam responses and developed corrective action plans addressing audit findings.
- Collaborated with legal, product, engineering, and risk teams to embed compliance considerations into business strategy and product lifecycle.
- Served as primary point of contact for federal and state regulatory agencies, including FinCEN and state financial authorities.
- Conducted thorough investigations of compliance violations, identified root causes, and implemented corrective strategies.
- Established and enforced escalation protocols for high-risk customer activities and regulatory red flags.
Project Manager
Accenture
Los Angeles, CA
04.2010 - 07.2012
SR BSA/AML Consultant
MSQUARED CONSULTING
LOS ANGELES, CA
07.2006 - 12.2009
BRANCH MANAGER
Bank of America
RIVERSIDE, CA
11.2004 - 07.2006
Chief Executive Officer
Neustar Financial
Dallas, TX
05.2001 - 08.2004
Education
Juris Doctor -
California School of Law
Santa Ana, CAMaster of Business Administration (MBA) -
Amberton University
Garland, TXBachelor of Arts -
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TXSkills
- Sanctions compliance and OFAC screening
- Customer due diligence
- BSA/AML program management
- Quality assurance and audit readiness
- AML technology integration
- Suspicious activity monitoring
- Issues management and corrective action
- Consent order remediation support
- KYC/KYB reporting
- Regulatory compliance
- Anti-money laundering
- Risk assessment
- Policy writing
- Due diligence
- Compliance strategy
- Financial regulations
- Operational oversight
- Investigative analysis
- Team leadership
- Problem solving
- Training development
- Training delivery
- Federal and state regulations
- Compliance procedures
Technical Proficiencies
Patriot Officer, iCAPs, AML Manager, CompliancePro, Sheshunoff, Banker’s Toolbox (BSA Manager), Actimize, BAM (Bank Activity Monitoring), World-Check, LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters CLEAR, ComplyAdvantage, Unit 21, TRM Labs, Sardine, Prove (Identity Verification), World-Check (Watchlist Screening), ComplyAdvantage (Screening & Risk Intelligence), TRM Labs (Blockchain Intelligence), LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters CLEAR, JIRA, Intercom, RYSE, Actimize (also includes case management), MetaSolv M6, Synchronoss VFO, ESB, FiServ Navigator, FIS Metavante, ParcPlus, Jack Henry
Affiliations And Memberships
- Assistant Director of Music & Finance Committee Member, City of Refuge Church
- Chief Operations Officer, Brotherly Love Ministries
- Director of Finance, Logos Fellowship of Churches
- Director, Duncanville Youth Football Association
- Member, Natl Assoc of Female Executives
- Member, California Women Lawyers
Timeline
Assistant BSA Compliance Officer
Coinme, Inc.
06.2023 - 03.2025
Sr. BSA/AML Consultant
Team Adhoc
01.2021 - 03.2023
Managing Director
Strategic Partners Consultants
06.2013 - 01.2021
Chief Compliance Officer
Universal Bank
06.2012 - 06.2013
Project Manager
Accenture
04.2010 - 07.2012
SR BSA/AML Consultant
MSQUARED CONSULTING
07.2006 - 12.2009
BRANCH MANAGER
Bank of America
11.2004 - 07.2006
Chief Executive Officer
Neustar Financial
05.2001 - 08.2004
Juris Doctor -
California School of Law
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Amberton University
Bachelor of Arts -
Dallas Baptist University