Open To Work
Gabriella MacDonald
Oakville,ON
Summary
Anti-money laundering and terrorist financing specialist with proven expertise in compliance management, risk assessment, and enhanced due diligence. Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs and compliance strategies that effectively mitigate financial crime risks. Demonstrated ability to ensure operational excellence across diverse industries.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR MANAGER, MANAGED SERVICES FORENSIC & FINANCIAL CRIMES PRACTICE
KPMG
01.2025 - Current
- Delivered outsourced AML and fraud services including transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, CDD/KYC refresh and remediation, and enhanced due diligence reviews
- Developed AML proposals for diverse industries including crypto, insurance, banking, and MSBs to address industry-specific compliance needs
- Reviewed transactions and relationships for sanctions, terrorist financing, and money laundering risks; conducted enhanced due diligence.
- Facilitated client status updates for large remediation projects, ensuring transparency and alignment with project timelines
- Conducted regulatory compliance management review for insurance company, assessing control design and operating effectiveness, identifying gaps, and recommending enhancements to strengthen compliance and risk mitigation
Senior Advisor - Compliance & Ethics - Financial Crime
Export Development Canada
08.2022 - 01.2025
- Advised the 1A and 1B functions on financial crime and reputational risks to Export Development Canada ("EDC")
- Acted as an advisor on financial crime risks and controls to EDC's wholly owned subsidiary, FinDev Canada, providing support on: 1B functions with the review of their high-risk accounts and transactions
- Reviewed transactions and relationships for sanctions, terrorist financing, money laundering, and other crime risks. Conducted enhanced due diligence.
- Identified metrics for reporting to Senior Management and the Board of Directors on status of financial crime risks and controls
- Assisted in the development, implementation, continuous process and technological improvement of EDC's Financial Crime Risk program
- Escalated and recorded operational risks within financial crime program to enhance risk management practices
- Responsible for identifying business controls for financial crime risks within EDC’s business and implementing controls in collaboration with business teams
- Responsible for providing risk assessments to internal customers for activities that present financial crime risks
- Assisted in the preparation of reports to Senior Management and the Board of Directors
- Developed EDC's methodology to assess Financial Crime within our Products
- Developed guidance for money-laundering & terrorist financing enhanced due diligence & provided tailored training solutions to various stakeholders across the organization
- Enhanced the EDC and FinDev Canada (subsidiary) mandatory annual FC training.
- Developed the High-Risk role training (role-based) for the various business lines and international subsidiaries.
- Review and guidance during the development of key FinDev process documents
Senior Manager, AML Transformation & Delivery Sustainment
Scotiabank
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Accountable to independently assess AML risk, present results to senior management and make recommendations to mitigate and close gaps
- Conducted gap analysis of CDD, ODD, EDD, and TM procedures to ensure compliance with local and Canadian regulatory requirements, identifying critical areas for improvement
- Performed remediation and due diligence procedures on high-risk account files to ensure AML compliance
- Designed, developed, and implemented risk-based training programs for Mexico, enhancing employee understanding of AML regulations
- Ensured activities conducted were following governing regulations, internal policies and procedures across Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama
- Developed CDD, EDD and ODD policies
- Manage employees, champion a high-performance environment to contribute to an inclusive workplace
- Prepared comprehensive reports and presentations for senior management, providing insights and recommendations for the local risk management committee.
AML Risk Assessments & Oversight - International Banking - AML Risk Senior Manager
Scotiabank
08.2018 - 01.2022
- Executed AML risk assessments for products or services across Assessable Units in International Banking
- Accountable to independently assess AML risk, present results to senior management and make recommendations to mitigate and close gaps
- Supported maintenance and enhancement of AML risk framework, improving risk assessment methodology and standards.
- Evaluated inherent risk associated with customers, products, services and geographic locations
- Oversaw the timely delivery of the end to end execution process for assigned line of business
- Oversaw international Risk/MIS teams, monitoring and reporting on risk assessment results and key risk indicators.
- Developed interaction model for risk assessment process with executives, detailing oversight and potential override scenarios for objective auditing.
- Developed ML/TF internal control effectiveness business request documents and metrics
Financial Crimes Compliance Global Banking & Markets - Governance Manager
HSBC Canada
11.2017 - 08.2018
- Led team overseeing FCC-related controls for GBM compliance program, advising on control adequacy, conducting risk assessments, and monitoring/testing compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Oversaw and managed closure of all FCC GBM issues, including Reportable Events, MSIIs, FCC M&T, Audit, Assurance, and Operational and Regulatory issues.
- Identified and reported significant regulatory compliance breaches or gaps; collaborated with FCC and business management to design and implement policy and procedure changes.
- Conducted quarterly, semi-annual, and annual assessments of control, operational, and enterprise risks.
- Assessed overall operational risk management activities relating to FCC risk carried out by the First Line
- Prepare, coordinate and submit management information and reporting to FCC and GBM governance committees, ensuring key risks are highlighted
Financial Crimes Compliance Global Banking & Markets - Trade Surveillance Manager
HSBC Canada
09.2015 - 11.2017
- Conducted ongoing FCC surveillance activities for GBM and Commercial clients' transactional flow, ensuring compliance with internal controls and local regulatory requirements
- Monitored and reviewed internal communications for anti-bribery and corruption according to company policies and global standards
- Analyzed high-risk areas, transaction flows, and potential nesting relationships for Correspondent Banking team; coordinated with RMs to gather insights on transaction flows
- Developed presentations and metrics materials for Senior Management and Global Banking heads, enhancing understanding of Correspondent Banking dynamics
Forensic Group & Financial Advisory Senior Associate, AML Practice
Deloitte
08.2013 - 09.2015
- Conducted client risk assessments to identify institutional threats and packaged Know Your Client reviews for US regulators.
- Monitored, analyzed and investigated accounts for suspicious transactions including money laundering and terrorist financing activity
- Advised branch relationship managers on enhanced due diligence and KYC regulations to strengthen compliance frameworks.
- Screened and adjudicated files for identified politically exposed persons (PEP) to ensure compliance.
Senior AML Compliance Analyst
HSBC Canada
07.2012 - 08.2013
- Acted as subject matter expert on AML/ATF issues for High Risk Account Management, advising HSBC operating groups on AML compliance and risk management requirements to promote business understanding.
- Informed the FIU of current threats, opportunities, and industry best practices.
- Work with Corporate AML to develop and implement test programs to identify, measure, validate and monitor AML control procedures.
- Reviewed case files and CAMP alerts, supported Retail Bank by coaching branch personnel, analyzing research team recommendations, collecting missing data, and determining the level of suspicious activity to recommend SAR filing.
- Review the initiator or beneficiary of electronic funds transfers of $100K or more to determine politically exposed persons (PEP) and perform EDD on Special Category Clients.
- Identified, investigated, and analyzed suspicious transaction activities using KYC, branch information, and internet search; referred significant findings to upper management for further review.
- Investigate alerts generated from the system related to terrorist, money laundering and other criminal typologies for reputational risk or financial risk. Duties included but not limited to the following.
Supervisor
State Street Global Services
08.2007 - 02.2012
- Led, instructed and managed staff overseeing back office operations for five clients and over 90 funds totaling close to $60 billion in assets.
- Acted as lead representative for communications, facilitating interactions between accounting and custody, serving as the point of contact for fund managers, and liaising with international clients.
- Reviewed trading activity to identify non-compliance with regulatory requirements and investment mandates for hedge funds.
- Aided in documenting new AML processes and enhanced due diligence procedures for identified higher risk clients.
Account Coordinator
International Financial Data Services
10.2005 - 08.2007
- Coordinated client communications to ensure timely project updates and information flow.
- Managed account documentation and maintained accurate records for compliance purposes.
- Assisted in preparing financial reports and data analysis for internal stakeholders.
- Processed back office tasks, including data entry, cash transactions, reconciliation, and new account setup, ensuring accuracy in financial records and compliance during audits.
Education
Executive Leadership Program Certificate -
Dalhousie University
Toronto, ON12-2021
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) -
ACAMS
Toronto, ON03-2012
Diploma of Special Education (With Honours) - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Monseñor De Talavera
Venezuela05-1994
Financial Intelligence Specialist -
Manchester CF
Toronto, ONSkills
- AML/Sanctions compliance
- KYC compliance
- Transaction Monitoring
- Fraud detection
- Due diligence
- Risk assessment
- Regulatory reporting
- Compliance management
- Anti-bribery & corruption
- Ethics and compliance
- Training
Unique Qualifications
- Over a decade of experience with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC)
- An Experienced AML Compliance Specialist & Financial Intelligence Officer with strong investigation, decision making, judgment, reporting and business writing skills along with passion in working towards mitigating regulatory, legal, reputational and operational risks
- A wealth of operational experience along with supervision of staff and oversight
- Experienced consultant with exposure to global financial institutions and the comparison and construction of their internal compliance programs
- A highly motivated team player with exceptional organizational skills and bilingual (English/Spanish)
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteHybridSalary Range
$1/yr - $160000/yrTimeline
SENIOR MANAGER, MANAGED SERVICES FORENSIC & FINANCIAL CRIMES PRACTICE
KPMG
01.2025 - Current
Senior Advisor - Compliance & Ethics - Financial Crime
Export Development Canada
08.2022 - 01.2025
Senior Manager, AML Transformation & Delivery Sustainment
Scotiabank
01.2022 - 08.2022
AML Risk Assessments & Oversight - International Banking - AML Risk Senior Manager
Scotiabank
08.2018 - 01.2022
Financial Crimes Compliance Global Banking & Markets - Governance Manager
HSBC Canada
11.2017 - 08.2018
Financial Crimes Compliance Global Banking & Markets - Trade Surveillance Manager
HSBC Canada
09.2015 - 11.2017
Forensic Group & Financial Advisory Senior Associate, AML Practice
Deloitte
08.2013 - 09.2015
Senior AML Compliance Analyst
HSBC Canada
07.2012 - 08.2013
Supervisor
State Street Global Services
08.2007 - 02.2012
Account Coordinator
International Financial Data Services
10.2005 - 08.2007
Executive Leadership Program Certificate -
Dalhousie University
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) -
ACAMS
Diploma of Special Education (With Honours) - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Monseñor De Talavera
Financial Intelligence Specialist -
Manchester CF