Sarah Lipps Email and Phone Number

Strategy, Planning & Governance Leader for Independent Testing & Validation with responsibility to drive technology strategy, staffing and budget optimization, and initiative implementation for the organization.

Lead the independent risk management team responsible for the execution of all risk type control testing for the Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking business at Wells Fargo.

Head of Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) and Investment Portfolio (IP) regulatory compliance testing team, within Enterprise Testing. Team is responsible for comprehensive coverage of complex capital markets, sales and trading, trade operations, corporate banking, and investment businesses subject to a wide range of regulations including FINRA, SEC, MSRB, CFTC, NFA, OCC and FRB.

Managed a multi-year build out of the Wholesale Operational Risk Assurance Program by establishing a strategy for execution, partnering with Senior Wholesale Banking Leaders, and supervising a team of internal employees and external consultants to identify and document Wholesale’s high risk processes, risks, and controls. Built a centralized Wholesale Banking team of managers and consultants to execute high risk business process control testing, which represented the largest portion of… Show more Managed a multi-year build out of the Wholesale Operational Risk Assurance Program by establishing a strategy for execution, partnering with Senior Wholesale Banking Leaders, and supervising a team of internal employees and external consultants to identify and document Wholesale’s high risk processes, risks, and controls. Built a centralized Wholesale Banking team of managers and consultants to execute high risk business process control testing, which represented the largest portion of operational risk testing in Wells Fargo. Show less

Managed a team of audit professionals to deliver quality audit coverage, documentation, and value-adding issues focusing on Wells Fargo Securities, Corporate Market Risk, Futures Commissions Merchant, and Swap Dealer Risk Management coverage. Designed effective and efficient audit coverage strategies, identified and quantified emerging business risks and provided credible challenge to business partners based on a sound understanding of the business environment.

Managed a financial services risk management simulation for graduate students in commercial banking and financial management courses. Advised students on how financial institutions manage balance sheet risk, including management of market risk/interest rate risk, customer reputation risks, and impacts of new regulatory requirements. Conducted financial research on the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Advised for “Women for Wall Street,” which aimed to educate female high school students on… Show more Managed a financial services risk management simulation for graduate students in commercial banking and financial management courses. Advised students on how financial institutions manage balance sheet risk, including management of market risk/interest rate risk, customer reputation risks, and impacts of new regulatory requirements. Conducted financial research on the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Advised for “Women for Wall Street,” which aimed to educate female high school students on the opportunities available in the financial services and capital markets industry. Show less

Executed control testing programs for the Commodity Derivatives and Structured Products trading desks. Detected and documented formal issues and recommendations for the trading desks to enhance supervisory oversight of trade activity. Built and presented a three-year business plan to executives on a refocusing of the Corporate and Investment Bank.