Monika Gorgoń

Since 2017, employed by the Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie (GPW, Warsaw Stock Exchange) where I took the position of the Head of Compliance and Risk Management four years ago.

I concentrate management of multiple areas that are usually divided into several separate departments. Every day I am responsible for compliance, counteracting money laundering and terrorism financing, internal control, risk and business continuity at the same time. Thanks to effective supervision of the above functions, GPW was awarded the title of the “Ethical Company of the Year” (Etyczna Firma Roku) two years in a row (2018 and 2019) and the title of the “Super Ethical Company of the Year” (Super Etyczna Firma Roku) in 2020. Additionally, I have been concurrently realising my vision of introduction of new quality in the functioning of the areas I am responsible for, leading one of the strategic projects the objective of which is creation of an innovative technological for management. For the past three years, I have also acted in the capacity of the Chair of the Compliance Committee of GPW and was appointed the Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of GPW Benchmark S.A., i.e. a company belonging to the capital group of Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie, two years ago. I have gained vast experience in the technology, telecommunication and finance industry while working, inter alia, for the Citi Group and Orange Polska.

I graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw and the doctoral seminar in law, legal counsel with LL.M. titles in Internal Commercial Law and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). I hold compliance certificates awarded by the Compliance Institute in cooperation with the Viadrina Compliance Center (European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder)).

What makes you a Risky Woman?

Every day I am is responsible for:

• reporting directly to the Board of Management and Stock Exchange Council;
• managing the work of Compliance and Risk Department, including the following areas: Compliance, AML (Anti-Money Laundering), Operational Risk Management, Internal Controls, Business Continuity, Data Protection;
• regulatory project management and compliance support for GPWTech S.A. (a subsidiary of the Warsaw Stock Exchange) on technological project – Governance Risk Compliance;
• participation at seatings of Management Board, Stock Exchange Council (Stock Exchange Supervisory Board), and Stock Exchange Audit Committee;
• participation in audits and controls;
• representing Stock Exchange before Financial Supervisory Commission and other bodies.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Winning the awards for the WSE – Ethical Company of the Year 2018 and 2019 and Super Ethical Company of the Year 2020.
2. Award from the Rzeczpospolita newspaper: “Rising Star of Business” and  from the UK CEO portal: “Financial Services Chairperson of the Year 2021 (Europe)”
3. Project manager of WSE strategic projects the objective of which is creation of an innovative technological for management.

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

Project manager of WSE strategic projects the objective of which is creation of an innovative technological for management. Our system is a new technological tool which uses the GRC system to effectively support the management of any organisation; it allows you to manage compliance, risk and processes in an automated way. This system solution makes it possible to increase efficiency, productivity and effectiveness in these areas, while maintaining a high level of security for the organisation.

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

I am currently working on my dissertation and hold guest lectures in compliance and risk management at Kozminski University and SGH Warsaw School of Economics. I balance my career with the role of a mother of a 9-year-old daughter, still finding time for spots and travelling. Pursuing so many roles, I make sure my family, personal and professional development have their own, proper and non-competing space and time.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Understanding that an organisation that consciously manages risk has the ability to achieve planned objectives, more calmly, more consciously, avoiding surprises or limiting their effects in an organised way, and often allows to go further or completely new ways by identifying opportunities and implementing solutions to exploit them effectively. Well-developed analytical skills, acuteness, inquisitiveness, perception of details and discrepancies, making of essential conclusions to ensure right and compliant with the law functioning of business entities.