Latecia Chinn

Latecia Chinn is a Vice President and influential Financial Crimes Compliance Risk leader with over 15 years of experience advancing BSA/AML frameworks across leading U.S. financial institutions. Known for her ability to build strong relationships, she drives enterprise-wide governance innovation and translates complex regulatory expectations into practical, actionable strategies.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

I am a Risky Woman because I champion the visibility, diversity, and advancement of women in governance, risk, and compliance. I ensure diverse women are seen, heard, and empowered to influence decisions, shape strategy, and lead with impact.

Name your top 3 achievements

Three life achievements I am most proud of, in specific order:

1. Disrupting financial crime at the frontline
   I played a key role in disrupting and supporting the federal prosecution of a multi‑million‑dollar fraud scheme by detecting and preventing an attempted account takeover at the branch level.
2. Reinventing my career into risk leadership
   I transitioned from a career in restaurant openings and training into financial services, and now lead efforts to strengthen risk and control frameworks at one of the top banks in the United States.
3. Investing in people and leadership
   I use my experience as a leader and coach to mentor and develop others, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their professional goals with confidence and clarity.

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

I bet on myself—and it changed the trajectory of my career. I made a decisive move by relocating to a new city, self-funding the transition and entering an unfamiliar market without a network. Acting on strategic guidance, I accelerated my growth, expanded my influence, and unlocked greater visibility and opportunity.

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

Most people don’t know I am a board member for a national mental health organization and frequently speak in my community, advocating for mental health awareness and financial literacy.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Effective risk leaders adopt a horizontal and vertical view of risk, maintaining deep expertise in their domain while understanding interdependencies to drive informed, enterprise-wide decisions.