Simone Di Castri, Phd Email & Phone Number

New York, United States

Cambridge, England, Gb

The Cambridge SupTech Lab accelerates the creation and adoption of cutting-edge suptech solutions and the digital transformation of financial authorities. The Lab brings together elements of research, market intelligence, peer-exchange, tech implementation, project management, and technical assistance, into a pragmatic, transferrable and scalable initiative.

Cambridge, England, Gb

- Conceptualised and designed the Cambridge SupTech Lab.- Fundraised $3.1m to create the Lab.- Developed content for the Cambridge Fintech and Regulatory Innovation (CFTRI) programme.- Developed the curriculum for the Cambridge Regtech programme.

As Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Cambridge SupTech Lab, I am at the forefront of driving digital transformation in financial supervision. Leading a global team of experts and partnering with financial authorities, technology vendors, and industry leaders, my role focuses on shaping the Lab’s vision and strategy, and translating this into actionable plans and projects. I oversee the design and implementation of innovative solutions to enhance supervisory technologies (suptech), and manage multidisciplinary projects that bridge the gap between regulatory needs and technological advancements developing the human and technological capabilities to enhance financial supervision and data ecosystems across the financial sector.My work involves engaging with stakeholders worldwide, fostering partnerships, and ensuring that our initiatives align with priorities in financial regulation to keep pace with the ongoing evolutions in the market. Through a combination of leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on project management, I strive to contribute to more resilient, transparent, accountable, sustainable and inclusive financial sectors.

Cambridge, England, Gb

Partnering with governments, financial authorities, standard setting bodies, corporations, think tanks, development agencies, universities and philanthropic organizations to craft innovative solutions to address the digital divide, financial exclusion, and socio-economic inequalities.Current projects:- Cambridge SupTech Lab, with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.Past projects:- The "Regulator of the Future": Digital transformation of the NYS Department of Financial Services.- Design and implementation of the Global SupTech techsprint with the Saudi G20 Presidency and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).- Workshops on SupTech and consumer protection with the National Bank of Rwanda and the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI).- Workshops on SupTech with the Peruvian Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP and the Toronto Center.- Competition and fintech regulation in Ethiopia, with the Better than Cash Alliance (BTCA).

London, England, Gb

Teaching online course "Introduction to SupTech"

From October 2016 to November 2020, I led the RegTech for Regulators Accelerator (R2A), pioneering the development of innovative solutions for financial sector supervision, regulation, and policy analysis. My vision was contribute to the creation of a global SupTech marketplace where robust solutions are available and demonstrated for key use cases. In this role I:- Led the design and implementation of SupTech solutions in Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines. - Designed Proofs of Concept for financial authorities in Colombia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, and Ukraine. - Implemented capacity building activities in Peru and Rwanda.- Launched and facilitated a working group for AML supervisors.- Ran a taxonomy of SupTech experiments with the Bank for International Settlements’ (our findings are reported in the BIS “SupTech Generations” report).- Developed and implemented the Global G20 SupTech TechSprint with the BIS (I designed the evaluation process and methodologies and assessed 128 applications).- Shared outcomes and lessons from the R2A work at events hosted by the San Francisco Fed, NY Fed, Canadian OSFI, World Bank, the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, etc.- Assisted SupTech startups in scaling their capacity.- Published a number of knowledge products on SupTech and Digital Transformation.In November 2020 I focused to established an evolved version of R2A at the University of Cambridge. The Cambridge SupTech Lab was officially launched in March 2022.

I took some time off to reflect on my professional life, be closer to my son, and focus on personal healing and growth, deepening my practice of embodied movement and facilitating men's work.

Nairobi, Ke

Led BFA Global’s Knowledge Management & Influence activities, including:- Redesign of internal knowledge management processes with the creation of the Hippocampus, the new BFA knowledge manadgement intranet- Website redesign- Corporate rebranding from "Bankable Frontier Associates" to "BFA Global"- New external communications strategy and processes for production and distribution of knowledge products and social media content.

Nairobi, Ke

- Led the Policy and Ecosystem Development practice at BFA.- Led advisory, research, and strategy engagements with governments, financial authorities, financial service providers, and philanthropic institutions, focusing on the development of inclusive and sustainable digital economies- Designed and implemented public sector strategies (i.e., digital economy, payments, financial inclusion), Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA), technology solutions for regulators and supervisors (RegTech/SupTech), fintech and digital financial services regulation, eKYC solutions, complex data architectures, and work in the area of payments digitization, and competition.- Conceived and led the multimillion, multiyear initiative RegTech for Regulators Accelerator (R2A)- Portfolio included projects in Mexico, Colombia, Ghana, the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Fiji, Zambia, India.

Taught for two academic years a graduate course on "Digital Transformation and Digital Citizenship" #ICT4D #digitalcitizenship #techforgood.

1 Angel Lane, London, Gb

Led a team of experts that provided support to mobile network operators, policymakers and regulators to address the policy and regulatory barriers that were preventing mobile financial service providers from launching, scaling and serving low-income customers. I worked with the industry to improve risk mitigation and compliance policies, and conceived and implemented the Code of Conduct for Mobile Money Providers. I also represented the global mobile industry with standard setters bodies such as the FATF, the BIS and the ITU.

Kuala Lumpur, My

Provided support to financial sector authorities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to develop effective policies for financial inclusion. Managed high-impact $8+ mil grant portfolio in francophone Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Conceived and led policymakers’ working group on consumer empowerment and market conduct regulations involving 30 central banks.

Washington, Dc, Us

Gathered and analyzed data from 64 countries for Basel Committee on Banking Supervision paper on the regulation and supervision of deposit taking microfinance institutions. Conducted comparative analysis of financial consumer protection regulation in 25 countries - leading research team of scholars from CGAP and the University of Michigan Law School. Participated in regulatory assessment and in-country diagnostic on consumer protection for the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank in Kenya. Analysed directed lending and priority sector lending policies in 20 countries for CGAP brief. Provided technical input into leading CGAP policy publications (e.g. Financial Access 2009 and 2010, and a number of policy papers). Contributed to standardization of CGAP procurement and partnership documentation.

Roma, 00165, It

Implemented and provided trainings to central bankers, policymakers, donors, investors, microfinance practitioners, and lawyers, in Cameroon, Ecuador, India, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Romania, Senegal and Tanzania. Provided technical assistance to governments, central banks, and local microfinance networks. Conducted research, authored country surveys, and coordinated researches of alumni on microfinance regulation in developing countries. Drafted budget and periodic reports for the project's grantor (Omidyar Network). Assisted IDLO General Counsel in high level consultations for IDLO 2009-2012 strategy. Wrote winning grant for research on legal issues related to access to finance, financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (US $760,000).

New York, Ny, Us

Wrote country specific overviews of microfinance policy and regulation in Central Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Advised the Chief of Unit and the Assistant Secretary-General of UN/DESA for participation in UN Advisory Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors.

Bologna, Italia, It

Lecturer, examiner, tutor, and thesis supervisor for undergraduate and graduate students in the courses of Corporate Law, Securities Regulation, and Banking Law. Wrote winning grant for the Research Group on Microfinance of the University of Bologna (US $100,000). Led research group to survey Italian microfinance sector in 2005, and in 2007in collaboration with the European Microfinance Network (EMN). Awarded Cultore della materia “diritto commerciale” (Expert of the Field “Corporate Law”) by the Dean of the Faculty of Law.

London, Gb

Participated in high profile Project Finance transactions involving international banks and corporations having economic interests in Italy. Legal advisor for Depta Bank PLC in the loan negotiation of € 165 million to Acque Spa. Conducted extensive research and prepared legal memoranda.

Phd, Law And Economics

Visiting Scholar, Law And Economics, And Financial Markets Regulation

Master In International Law, Comparative Law

Laurea In Giurisprudenza, Legal