It’s hard to believe I have been working in the financial services industry for 20 years. My primary focus over the last 12 years has been building enterprise, operational, and IT risk management programs from the ground up, including enablement of audit readiness. I’ve had the opportunity to work at banks, at a payment card company and at a boutique consulting firm. My responsibilities have spanned various lines of business and disciplines, which was ideal preparation and progression into building and managing comprehensive enterprise risk management programs at mid-large financial institutions. The breadth and depth I was fortunate to experience molded me into the individual I am today, and has kept me excited and energized.
I am currently working at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where I support the financial services companies I was working for in previous roles as they initiate, progress and mature use of the cloud. At Amazon and AWS, one of our leadership principles is “Learn and Be Curious.” While I have been someone who has focused on enhancing and improving my IT skills through ISACA since 2013, both through certification and event attendance, I have been grateful to work for a company that sets the bar high and encourages continuous learning.
Because I wasn’t busy enough with my job at AWS and with two children under the age of 3 at home (yes, I am being sarcastic), I decided to run for the ISACA New York Metropolitan Chapter Board of Directors for this next term, 2020-2021. I believe it is important to volunteer your time on things you are passionate about and allow you to give back. I am passionate about the IT industry, specifically enabling customers to use cloud for the efficiency and value it brings to organizations. ISACA has provided me with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and networking opportunities over my seven years as a member that has advanced my career and enabled continuous learning. It is time to give back and assist in leading the advancement of the chapter so it can continue to provide members the opportunities it has provided for me. I am currently the Committee Chair for the Corporate Relations Committee.
When the IT shifts end, you will find me spending as much time with my young family as possible – and maybe even logging a few shifts on the ice. I have played ice hockey since I was 4-years-old and continue to do so. The speed and intensity of the game is addicting, and being able to stay healthy and exercise while playing a game I love is just awesome. The lessons hockey has taught me in my life about teamwork, setting goals, and having the highest level of integrity have been invaluable. My favorite team is the Boston Bruins, which my son has become fond of as well.
My wife, son, infant daughter and I do a lot of fun activities together, like hiking, bicycling, cooking, gardening, and, of course, play driveway hockey when we can’t physically be on the ice. We also enjoy going to the beach as much as possible when the weather cooperates. Over the past three years, we have become very active in fundraising for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City through its annual Cycle for Survival event. When my son, Cameron, was born with an immune condition called SCID in 2017, he required life-saving treatment. We received that treatment and so much more from the doctors, nurses and staff at MSKCC. Cameron now has no issues or restrictions because of MSKCC. We ride and raise money so the researchers can continue to provide the type of care they did for Cameron for many others who will require it now and in the future.
I will close with saying, there is always more to learn! Budget and invest the time in learning about areas that interest you in your career and at home, as it truly will make you happy. In this difficult year, more than ever before, it is important to be flexible, adjust to your environment, and do the things that are safe and provide you enjoyment.
