Sandra Kowalski
Risk & Control Manager | Financial Services
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Summary
Risk & Control Manager with 9+ years in financial services, building risk frameworks and internal controls that protect the business and satisfy regulators. Skilled across operational, financial, and compliance risk, with a track record of closing control gaps, passing audits, and embedding a risk-aware culture through clear, credible engagement with leadership.
Experience
Risk & Control Manager · ABN AMRO
Apr 2020 – Present
- Own the operational-risk and internal-controls framework for a business line, running risk assessments and controls testing across processes.
- Closed 90% of open control gaps in 12 months and reduced audit findings 40% through remediation programs.
- Built KRI dashboards and quarterly risk reporting for senior leadership; ensured SOX and DORA readiness.
Senior Risk Analyst · ING
Sep 2016 – Mar 2020
- Performed risk assessments and control reviews across operational and compliance domains.
- Partnered with process owners to design and implement controls aligned to COSO and regulatory requirements.
Education
MSc Finance & Investments
Erasmus University Rotterdam · 2014 – 2016
BSc Economics & Business
University of Amsterdam · 2011 – 2014
Certifications
- FRM — Financial Risk Manager (GARP)
- CIA — Certified Internal Auditor
- CISA — Certified Information Systems Auditor
Skills
Risk: Risk Assessment · COSO · ISO 31000 · Operational Risk · KRIs
Controls & Compliance: Internal Controls · SOX · DORA · GDPR · Audit
Analysis: Controls Testing · Risk Reporting · Data Analysis · Governance