ZIPPORAH SHEMANG OHAKA
Richmond Hill
Summary
Strategic risk, audit, and governance leader with over 10 years of progressive experience designing, implementing, and enhancing enterprise audit, compliance, and operational risk programs within complex financial services environments. Recognized for leading independent monitoring and testing functions, strengthening third-party risk governance, and partnering with business leaders to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risk. Expertise spans operational risk management, regulatory compliance, policy governance, enterprise risk frameworks, executive reporting, and regulatory readiness. Proven ability to influence stakeholders across all three lines of defence, drive continuous improvement, and translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, business-focused solutions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Audit Manager – Third Party Risk
CIBC
01.2024 - Current
- Delivered enterprise-wide subject matter expertise in third party risk management, supplier risk, governance, and procurement to enhance organizational understanding and compliance.
- Lead enhancements to audit strategy and work programs aligned with OSFI B-10 and emerging regulatory expectations.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across first, second, and third lines to assess governance, operational risk, and control effectiveness, driving informed decision-making.
- Facilitated executive and Board reporting through development of dashboards, annual reports, issue validation, and continuous monitoring for clear visibility into risk management initiatives.
- Drive efficiency through AI-enabled analytics, reporting automation and insight generation.
Compliance Manager
Sun Life Financial
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Managed regulatory compliance processes and initiated regulatory change initiatives to align with evolving standards.
- Developed enterprise reporting schedules and governance metrics to enhance visibility and accountability in compliance oversight.
- Conducted compliance reviews and gap assessments to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in compliance practices.
- Collaborated across business units to strengthen compliance governance and reporting.
Assistant Manager
KPMG
09.2014 - 01.2020
- Directed audit delivery from planning through reporting, ensuring high-quality execution, adherence to professional standards, effective issue resolution, and on-time completion of engagements.
- Led complex risk-based audit engagements by developing audit strategies, managing cross-functional teams, assessing operational risks, and providing regular updates to senior leadership.
- Established trusted relationships with senior stakeholders through strategic risk advisory services, facilitating process improvements and ensuring timely remediation of audit findings.
- Managed audit delivery from planning to reporting, ensuring quality execution, adherence to professional standards, and timely issue resolution.
- Developed high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement across multiple business functions.
Internal Auditor
Kezina Services
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Executed risk-based audit engagements that assessed operational processes, identified key risks and controls, and developed testing strategies to evaluate control effectiveness, enhancing overall compliance.
- Executed risk-based audit engagements by assessing operational processes, identifying key risks and controls, and developing robust testing strategies to evaluate control effectiveness.
- Partnered with business management to communicate audit observations and validate remediation plans, monitoring timely resolution of control deficiencies to strengthen internal controls.
- Supported external audit activities and regulatory reporting by preparing audit documentation and coordinating timely completion of annual audit requirements, ensuring compliance with standards.
Education
ACA -
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
MSc - International Business
University of Birmingham
BSc - Marketing
Covenant University
Skills
- Third Party Risk Management
- Operational Risk
- Operational Resilience
- Business Continuity
- Policy Governance
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Governance
- Executive & Board Reporting
- Regulatory Change Management
- Program Management
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Risk Analytics
- Stakeholder Management
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Continuous Improvement
- OSFI B-10
- Data Analytics
TARGET ROLE
Director, Operational Risk and Program Management
SELECTED EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Serve as Third Party Risk SME within CIBC Internal Audit supporting enterprise-wide assurance and strategic advisory.
- Enhanced Third Party Risk audit methodology aligned to OSFI B-10 and evolving regulatory expectations.
- Partner with First Line, Global Operational Risk Management, Third Party Governance Office and Procurement to strengthen governance and oversight.
- Support Board and executive reporting through quarterly dashboards, annual summaries, deficiency management and continuous monitoring.
- Previously managed Regulatory Compliance Management framework, regulatory change program and enterprise reporting at Sun Life.
- Led multidisciplinary audit and risk engagements across major financial institutions while mentoring high-performing teams at KPMG.
Timeline
Senior Audit Manager – Third Party Risk
CIBC
01.2024 - Current
Compliance Manager
Sun Life Financial
01.2021 - 01.2023
Assistant Manager
KPMG
09.2014 - 01.2020
Internal Auditor
Kezina Services
01.2013 - 01.2014
ACA -
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
MSc - International Business
University of Birmingham
BSc - Marketing
Covenant University