Daniel Paula

Information

HITEC Top 100 Most Influential Hispanic Executives in Technology. I lead risk programs in highly regulated enterprises, with a focus on risk management, resilience, and AI governance. I scaled vendor-risk programs across 300+ vendors, cutting open issues by 30–40% and achieving zero repeat audit findings. I corrected siloed practices and strengthened internal controls, expanding metric coverage by 50% and driving double-digit reductions in open issues, failed validations, and extensions. Programs became cleaner, faster, and consistently exam-ready. I’ve led and coached large global teams (up to 100 FTE) across non-financial risk disciplines, including cyber risk, operational risk, AI governance, model risk, and operational resilience. Results include faster regulatory issue closure, improved exam outcomes, and measurable efficiency gains. My teams and I have designed and implemented enterprise risk frameworks at three Top 20 banks, the world’s largest fintech, and a non-bank mortgage servicer. I’ve also built and optimized cyber programs for 1st and 2nd lines of defense at multiple Fortune 500s, and selected and implemented GRC platforms that improved efficiency and adoption across global operations. My career has been intentionally structured to lead high-impact transformations at multiple Fortune 500s, delivering foundational change and measurable results in a concentrated timeframe. Known for calm execution, simplifying board conversations, and developing independent leaders. Mentor: Actively support HITEC and Cyversity in building the next generation of security leaders. Playbook: NIST CSF 2.0, CRI, NYDFS 500, DORA, NIST AI RMF; risk quantification, automation, and board-ready metrics.