Joseph Elias
JE

Joseph Elias

Data, Analytics & AI Expert  ·  Enterprise Risk, Compliance & Governance Leader  ·  GRC Specialist  ·  AML/BSA Officer  ·  Fair Lending Officer

Strategic Enterprise Data & Risk Executive with 15+ years in financial services and fintech. Partners with C-suite and Board stakeholders to drive ROI-driven data strategies and enterprise transformation.

Expert in scaling high-performing data/risk functions and leveraging AI/ML to optimize underwriting and operational efficiency.

Deeply experienced in complex regulatory environments, including Fraud, Cybersecurity, TPRM, and Fair Lending, ensuring data integrity and responsible AI deployment.

info@josephelias.info 📞 469-315-2808 Joseph Elias
15+
Years Experience
13
Certifications
68%
Avg Cost Reduction
53%
Audit Pass Lift
48%
Risk Exposure Reduced
6
Major Institutions

Work Experience

Strategic Consultant — Data & GRC Jan 2026 – Present
Compliant Mortgage Solutions
📍 Remote
  • Provided expert consulting to financial services institutions, defining enterprise data strategies and AI integration roadmaps that delivered measurable ROI.
  • Led the development of advanced GRC and analytics ecosystems, achieving 53% faster reporting and enhanced data visibility for executive decision-making.
  • Drove operational transformation through automation and technology integration, resulting in a 61% reduction in manual tasks and an 18% improvement in operational oversight.
  • Directed the development of data platforms to support enterprise-wide data initiatives and the transition to AI-driven decision-making.
VP, Compliance Feb 2025 – Dec 2025
Finance of America
📍 Remote  ·  AML/BSA Officer  ·  Fair Lending Officer
  • Served as AML/BSA and Fair Lending Officer, leading the Compliance team across Fraud Investigations, Consumer Complaints, Compliance Testing, Issues Management, and Regulatory Reporting; active member of the Fair Lending and AI/Data Governance Committees.
  • Revamped AML/BSA Program by updating the algorithm and fully automating the OFAC check process, updating policies and procedures, enhancing investigation protocols, and developing the internal risk assessment framework.
  • Established Fair Lending Risk Framework incorporating internal risk assessment, related processes, and Regression Analyses.
  • Shifted Compliance Testing to a risk-based, preventative unit using automation and revamping of testing scripts together with Statistical data sampling for greater efficiency.
  • Partnered with Operations to resolve systemic escalations and design scalable operating models that improved cross-functional delivery.
  • Developed Regulatory Reporting database to ensure data consistency, which reduced FTE hours by 17% and helped identify root causes of LOS and process issues affecting downstream reporting.
  • Developed Fair Lending Regression Analysis data structure and quality checks.
  • Established and developed formula-based semi-automated Risk Assessments to enhance compliance organization.
  • Partnered with the AI Task Force to develop the enterprise AI strategy and implement Ethical AI / Responsible AI practices, resulting in a 21% increase in data retrieval speeds and maintaining 100% quality and integrity.
  • Collaborated with the enterprise data team to implement a more robust data platform and data governance frameworks, reducing data inconsistencies by 24% and ensuring 100% compliance across enterprise data initiatives.
Strategic Consultant — Compliance & Ops Risk May 2023 – Jan 2025
Compliant Mortgage Solutions
📍 Remote
  • Provided strategic consulting in enterprise risk, IT risk, and governance, driving strategic data and compliance initiatives for mortgage lenders.
  • Led fair lending programs and regulatory filings (NMLS, MCR, HMDA), achieving a 29% improvement in compliance outcomes through advanced regression and steering analyses.
  • Designed controls to address operational gaps, reducing compliance failures by 63% and enhancing monitoring for call centers and cybersecurity risks.
  • Developed advanced analytics and GRC systems that improved risk visibility and accelerated regulatory reporting efficiency by 42%.
  • Built statistical sampling methodologies for quality control and implemented comprehensive Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) programs.
Key Achievements
  • 48% reduction in operational risk exposure through predictive analytics
  • 53% improvement in audit pass rates
  • 68% reduction in compliance costs via GRC platform deployment
Director of Governance & Reporting (Risk & Compliance) Sep 2017 – Apr 2023
American Advisors Group (AAG)
📍 Irvine, CA
  • Directed the full-lifecycle development of an Enterprise Data Mart and AI-driven GRC framework, providing real-time KPIs/KRIs that reduced operational overhead by 47%.
  • Chaired the Operations Risk and Technology Committee, partnering with the COO and C-suite to drive enterprise-wide risk governance and strategic mitigation.
  • Led the development of AI-driven RPA solutions and automated LOS review processes, increasing operational efficiency by 28%.
  • Directed Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and IT Risk/Cybersecurity frameworks, reducing risk issues by 19% through enhanced automated oversight.
  • Architected scalable operational models and delivery frameworks to close organizational gaps, ensuring risk controls aligned with enterprise ROI objectives.
  • Led a cross-functional team of 22, fostering a data-driven culture through analytics workshops and high-quality performance management.
Key Achievements
  • 36% reduction in issue resolution time
  • 72% savings in compliance-related costs via GRC systems
  • 53% mitigation of vendor-related risks through TPRM frameworks
Strategic Consultant — Compliance & Ops Risk Apr 2017 – Sep 2017
Compliant Mortgage Solutions
📍 Remote
  • Delivered enterprise-wide risk and compliance strategies for mortgage lenders, focusing on regulatory data alignment and governance frameworks.
  • Directed database development and statistical data modeling initiatives to address operational gaps and resolve compliance system failures.
  • Executed regression analyses for fair lending evaluations and redlining reviews, ensuring data-driven regulatory adherence.
  • Designed scalable operating models and per diem metric analyses for California-based lenders to maintain full compliance with state requirements.
Director of Compliance Initiatives & Analytics Mar 2014 – Apr 2017
Prospect Mortgage (Homebridge Financial Services)
📍 Dallas, TX & Sherman Oaks, CA
  • Served as the primary compliance contact, leading the development of GRC systems, regulatory databases (HMDA, tracking mainframe), and social media monitoring, which improved compliance accuracy by 84%.
  • Led strategic analytics initiatives that reduced compliance risks by 27% through cross-functional process improvements and predictive modeling.
  • Partnered with the Chief Fair Lending Officer to execute statistical analyses (regression, redlining, steering), achieving a 68% improvement in audit outcomes.
  • Developed an Operational Risk model and updated QC systems using statistical sampling, reducing operational failures by 34% in the first year.
  • Created a systematic approach for the Licensing Department to manage non-licensable activities and NMLS reporting, reducing filing errors by 39%.
  • Designed and implemented compliance tools and applications that drove a 42% increase in departmental efficiency and faster decision-making.
  • Partnered with product and credit teams to embed predictive models into core products, driving a 20% increase in engagement and revenue.
  • Trained a team of 5 analysts in advanced programming and led monthly analytics workshops to foster a data-driven culture.
  • Developed a data literacy and culture program to enhance understanding and effective use of data across the compliance organization.
  • Collaborated on the development of an Azure-based modern data architecture to support enterprise-wide data initiatives and AI/ML integration.
Key Achievements
  • 67% reduction in processing time via HMDA review system
  • 32% reduction in compliance costs through enhanced GRC systems
  • 68% improvement in audit outcomes through fair lending programs
Senior Analyst (Mgr.), Portfolio, Operational & Risk Analytics Apr 2011 – Mar 2014
Vericrest Financial (Caliber Home Loans)
📍 Dallas, TX
  • Served as a senior member of the Portfolio Risk and Analytics Management Team, overseeing the production and maintenance of 93 monthly reports and risk models for compliance and asset management.
  • Instituted a holistic reporting approach to quantify risk metrics and recommended workflow changes that improved operational efficiency by 26% across multiple business units.
  • Developed key data structures for the ASPECT dialer system, investor data reporting (S&P, Moody's), and standardized metrics for regulatory agencies and GSEs.
  • Created the Portfolio Risk monthly reporting package, providing actionable insights to 13 executive team members and boosting operational consistency and transparency.
  • Directed all compliance reports and strategic initiatives for the compliance division while supporting mortgage state licensing efforts.
Key Achievements
  • 26% improvement in operational efficiency through streamlined portfolio risk reporting
  • 71% reduction in reporting errors with standardized metrics
  • 49% cost savings through actionable portfolio risk insights

Education

Management Information Systems & Engineering
Florida International University
2007 – 2009  ·  Miami, FL
Coursework in Management Information Systems & Mechanical Engineering
Biology (Pre-Med) & Engineering
University of South Florida
2004 – 2006  ·  Tampa, FL
Coursework in Biology & Biomedical Engineering

Certifications

GRCP
GRC Professional Certification
CGEIT
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT
CRVPM III
Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager
CRISC
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
CISM
Certified Information Security Manager
CBE
Certified Blockchain Expert
MCSE BI
MCSE Business Intelligence
EMCDSA
Data Science Associate
FMVA
Certified Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst
Six Sigma
Green Belt Certification
LPEC
Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance
CCP
Certified Compliance Professional
CIPP
Certified Information Privacy Professional

💼 Professional Skillset

Core competencies spanning strategy, data, AI, analytics, governance, and cross-functional leadership developed across 15+ years in financial services and fintech.

Entrepreneurial Mindset
Go-to-Market Planning
Application Development
Teamwork & Collaboration
Analytics
Quantitative Risk
Qualitative Research
Enterprise Risk Management
Risk Governance
Regulatory Compliance
Third Party Risk (TPRM)
Regulatory Affairs
Statistical Analysis & Modeling
Business Intelligence
Data Governance
AI/ML Strategy
Ethical & Responsible AI
Digital Transformation
ROI-Driven Innovation
Process Optimization
C-Suite & Board Reporting
Cross-Functional Leadership
KRI / KPI Development
Issues Management
Predictive Modeling
Portfolio Risk Analytics

🏠 Mortgage Lending Knowledge

Deep domain expertise across the full mortgage lifecycle — origination, licensing, servicing, risk, and regulatory reporting — built over 15+ years in financial services.

📋Mortgage Licensing — SAFE Act
🛡️AML / BSA / OFAC
🤝Vendor Risk Management (TPRM)
⚖️Counterparty Risk
📊Regulatory Reporting (NMLS / MCR)
🏦HMDA — Reg C
⚖️Fair Lending — ECOA / Reg B / CRA / FHA
📝Policy & Procedures
📈Portfolio Risk Analytics
🔄Loss Mitigation
🏠Servicing Risk
🏛️Risk Governance & Compliance
📉Regression & Steering Analyses
🔍Redlining Reviews
📋NMLS / MCR / MBFRF Reporting
🏢Third-Party Origination (TPO)

🖥️ Technical Acumen

Tools, platforms, and technologies leveraged to build data-driven risk, compliance, and analytics solutions.

T-SQL
SSMS — Management Studio
SSRS — Reporting Services
SSIS — Integration Services
Power BI
Tableau
RStudio
Python
Visual Studio
SalesForce
SharePoint
QuickBase
GRC Platforms (VendorRisk, ProcessUnity, Venminder)
CogentQC
ACES
E360 — Encompass
Mortgage Cadence
Azure / AWS

Let's Connect

Open to strategic leadership opportunities, consulting engagements, and professional collaborations.

Email
info@josephelias.info
Phone
469-315-2808
Languages
English · Spanish