Biography
Laura is the Director of Compliance, Ethics, and Regulatory Affairs (& Chief Privacy Officer) at General Bank of Canada. Bringing 10 years of experience across the banking and energy sectors, she has a proven track record in leading strategic initiatives, including the design and operationalization of Third-Party Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance frameworks, managing critical regulatory responses, and establishing key partnerships.
Laura brings a global perspective from her experience working in the UK and Canada and studying in France, allowing her to tailor risk management to diverse business environments. Her work focuses on enhancing cross-functional collaboration, aligning risk management with business objectives, and fostering a culture of compliance and operational excellence.
Laura is known for advancing risk management practices, driving change and her commitment to empowering others. In addition to her professional achievements, Laura is passionate about volunteering and mentoring individuals, guiding them in navigating their careers and building confidence.
Leadership Characteristics
Myers Briggs: INTJ
Laura approaches leadership with a strategic and long-term outlook. She is detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to building strong partnerships. Her leadership style is rooted in fostering collaboration and trust, while maintaining high standards for quality and integrity in everything she does.
Laura is passionate about enabling others to succeed, providing guidance and support to help her team members grow and develop their skills. She can adapt her leadership approach to meet the needs of individuals, demonstrating emotional intelligence and an ability to connect with her team on a personal level.
Laura drives meaningful change by empowering her team to take ownership of their work, encouraging accountability, professional growth, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Leadership Challenges
As a traditional 2nd line of defense function, Risk Management is often viewed as a blocker to operations. Laura has faced the challenge of shifting the perception to Risk Management being a business enabler and strategic partner. This transformation is an ongoing journey and won’t happen overnight. Laura’s perseverance and resilience have been a key force in helping to build and maintain strong partnerships and demonstrate the value of proactive risk management. Operationalizing the TPRM program in the Bank provided a key opportunity to address this challenge. Laura used this initiative to collaborate with, train and guide stakeholders, ensuring they understood how Risk Management could support business objectives and strengthen strategic decisions.
Key Take-a-ways
The true value of a strong TPRM program extends beyond just mitigating threats - it lays the foundation for operational resilience and long-term success. A well-designed TPRM program helps businesses anticipate risks, adapt to change, and seize opportunities with confidence, knowing they have made well-informed decisions.
Achieving this requires building strong relationships, educating stakeholders, and fostering a culture where risk is seen as a strategic partner in achieving business goals. When embedded effectively, TPRM becomes an integral part of decision-making processes, acknowledged early on rather than treated as an afterthought.
Laura’s favourite aspect of TPRM is its dynamic, cross-functional nature, allowing her to collaborate with diverse teams across the entire organization.
Fun Fact
Laura grew up in Scotland before moving to Canada and has a passion for exploring new places and staying active. She loves road-tripping, hiking, kayaking and camping with her husband and their energetic Australian labradoodle puppy. And of course, with her personality type, she is always planning their next adventure!