In this episode of Finc Tank, I sit down with Mary Kerwin, a seasoned compliance leader who’s held top roles at major banks like JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Allied Irish, and Credit Suisse. Mary shares her unconventional journey from working-class Dublin to the upper echelons of global finance, reflecting on breaking barriers as an Irish woman in male-dominated environments, building diverse and connected teams, and navigating the evolving landscape of compliance and financial crime. The conversation also delves into her hands-on management style, lessons learned from international moves, the realities and myths of AI in financial services, and her passion for mentoring and writing. Mary’s candid insights offer inspiration and practical advice for anyone looking to make an impact in compliance, leadership, or beyond.

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Instagram: @thefinctank
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Website: fincselect.com

Get In Touch with Jessica :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahodson/
Jessica@fincselect.com

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Brought to you by FincSelect:
The financial crime career consultancy. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, we provide ongoing guidance and support beyond the contract.
We never send CVs without permission
We offer free market updates and benchmarking
We care about how you're seen in the market
Get in touch to build your FincSelect partnership: fincselect.com

In this episode, we welcome Sara Cass, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at IFX Payments, for an engaging conversation spanning her unique career journey from geology and brick sales to leading compliance in high-growth fintech. Sara opens up about how curiosity and resilience drove her from inspecting quarries and aggregates to steering risk and regulatory frameworks at innovative firms like WorldFirst and IFX. We discuss the cultural contrasts between fast-paced fintech and traditional asset management, the evolving nature of compliance leadership, and the personal challenges of balancing senior roles with family life—especially from the rarely heard perspective of a mother commuting long distance.

Sara shares insight into nurturing career growth in compliance, the importance of building frameworks from scratch, the value of curiosity and learning by doing, and what makes a company culture truly supportive during life’s toughest moments. We talk about hiring trends for MLROs, how to stand out as a compliance professional, the role of mentorship, and why asking the right questions during interviews matters. Finally, Sara shares her current studies in cybercrime, her thoughts on AI in financial crime prevention, and the future of fraud detection and digital risk.

Whether you’re a compliance novice, aspiring leader, or just fascinated by non-linear career paths, Sara’s story is packed with practical advice, candid reflections, and a few fun facts (such as why badgers are her new role model). Tune in for an inspiring and honest look at building a meaningful fintech career while making space for real life.

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Follow Us:
TikTok: @thefinctank
Instagram: @thefinctank
YouTube: @thefinctank
Website: fincselect.com

Get In Touch with Jessica :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahodson/
Jessica@fincselect.com

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Brought to you by FincSelect:
The financial crime career consultancy. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, we provide ongoing guidance and support beyond the contract.
We never send CVs without permission
We offer free market updates and benchmarking
We care about how you're seen in the market
Get in touch to build your FincSelect partnership: fincselect.com

In this episode, we sit down with Chet Shah, CEO of Wirex, to discuss his journey from risk and compliance roles to leading a fintech company. Chet shares insights on the evolving role of compliance and financial crime prevention in fintech, the importance of embedding risk management into company culture, and the challenges of balancing regulatory requirements with commercial growth. We explore lessons from industry giants like Revolut and Starling, the impact of board oversight, hiring trends for MLROs, and how fintechs can use compliance as a competitive advantage. Chet also offers practical advice for aspiring compliance professionals, the value of mentorship, and his perspective on the future of fraud prevention and fintech innovation.

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Follow Us:
TikTok: @thefinctank
Instagram: @thefinctank
YouTube: @thefinctank
Website: fincselect.com

Get In Touch with Jessica :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahodson/
Jessica@fincselect.com

--

Brought to you by FincSelect:
The financial crime career consultancy. Whether you’re hiring or job-hunting, we provide ongoing guidance and support beyond the contract.
We never send CVs without permission
We offer free market updates and benchmarking
We care about how you're seen in the market
Get in touch to build your FincSelect partnership: fincselect.com