Ashnah Gunesssing

Management professional with diverse experience in Risk Management, Compliance, Governance and Internal Audit. Having worked in all the ‘Three Lines of Defence’ (i.e. Business, Oversight and Internal Audit) within organisations operating at different scales, I have been exposed to a variety of challenges, risks, issues and multicultural stakeholders that made me realise that ‘there is no one-size-fits-all solution’.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

Such exposure made me groomed to a highly motivated, dedicated, creative and conscientious individual and I am educated to degree level with 14 years’ experience in Compliance & Legal, offshore company and trust administration, including extensive experience in the Human Resource Management and IT Coordination. Member of Mauritius Institute of Directors with a high level of commercial acumen and demonstrable background in proactively sourcing new business with the ability to ‘think outside the box’. Approved Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) compliance Trainer, highly regarded and trusted adviser to clients and colleagues at all levels of seniority with excellent relationship and management skills. Strong work ethic prioritising and delegating to ensure all deadlines, objectives and targets are met. Invaluable team player who enjoys sharing technical knowledge and experience with colleagues, training and coaching new members of the team.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. High-Level Executive and Board Leadership
   She has established herself as a key governance figure in the Mauritius financial sector, currently serving as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Warwyck Private Bank Ltd since August 2024. This follows a progressively responsible tenure at Toukan Corporate Services Limited, where she advanced from Head of Compliance to Chief Operating Officer and ultimately to Chief Executive Officer, with 3 regulatory inspections resulting in successful outcomes without any findings.
2. Industry Authority and Technical Contribution
   Beyond her corporate roles, she has contributed to the broader industry as an Independent Member of the Legal & Compliance Technical Committee for Global Finance Mauritius. She is also recognized as an Approved Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) Compliance Trainer, validating her ability to train and advise others at all levels of seniority.
3. Advanced Specialized Qualifications
   She has demonstrated a commitment to elite professional standards by obtaining the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) designation. Furthermore, she expanded her legal expertise by completing a course in Contract Law at Harvard University in 2021 , which complements her practical experience in establishing compliance cultures from the ground up.

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

Accepting the shift from being the chief operations officer to being the Chief Executive Officer and maintaining the Company afloat and growing alongside continuing to service clients and upgrading their experience in the Private Wealth Sector and Offshore business sector.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I love the precision of a well-solved puzzle, whether it’s a complex compliance framework or the crosswords I do to unwind. While you may know me for my executive roles, few know that I love expressing my creative side by playing the Harmonium.

My analytical mindset actually stems from a strong foundation in sciences and mathematics at Dhunputh Lallah S.S.S., rather than just business. I also love getting hands-on with operational challenges—I personally coordinated our entire office move in 2020, managing everything from the logistics to the communication plan. Above all, I love sharing knowledge, which is why I serve as an Approved MQA Compliance Trainer to coach and mentor others.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

While technical expertise remains foundational, the modern Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Risk Lead must transition from a “control function” to a “strategic partner.” This quality enables a leader to shape organizational strategy by embedding risk considerations into the decision-making process rather than merely acting as a gatekeeper.

The following competencies support this primary quality.

Business Acumen
A Risk leader must possess a deep understanding of how the organization generates value. This involves moving beyond a check-box compliance mentality to analyzing how specific risks (such as regulatory changes or market shifts) impact the company’s bottom line and long-term viability. A successful leader aligns risk appetite with commercial objectives, ensuring that risk management enables safe growth rather than stifling innovation.

Communication and Storytelling
The ability to translate complex technical risk data into clear, actionable business intelligence is vital. Risk leaders must articulate the “so what” behind the data to the Board and C-Suite. This requires distinct communication skills that can simplify intricate regulatory or cyber threats into narratives that resonate with non-technical stakeholders, compelling them to allocate resources or alter strategy.

Adaptability and Resilience
Given the volatility of the global landscape—ranging from geopolitical instability to rapid regulatory updates—rigidity is a liability. Successful leaders demonstrate high adaptability, capable of pivoting risk frameworks quickly in response to new threats. They foster a culture of resilience, ensuring the organization can absorb shocks and recover while maintaining compliance with prevailing laws.

Technological Fluency
With the rise of fintech and digital transformation, a Risk leader must be technologically proficient. This does not require coding skills but demands a functional understanding of data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Leaders must leverage these tools to predict and monitor risks more efficiently, moving from reactive reporting to proactive prevention.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Risk management is fundamentally about people and culture. High EQ allows a leader to navigate internal politics, build alliances across departments, and foster a “psychologically safe” environment where employees feel comfortable escalating issues early. This soft skill is essential for embedding a robust risk culture throughout the organization, rather than enforcing it solely through policy documents.