The Risk Strategist | Risk Management Strategies & Solution
Where Risk Intelligence Becomes Strategic Advantage
About The Risk Strategist
Our Mission
At The Risk Strategist, our mission is to empower businesses with innovative risk management solutions. We focus on helping organizations navigate uncertainties and make informed decisions for sustainable growth.
We help Financial institutions struggling with risk visibility, control failures, regulatory pressure, or digital transformation risks.
The following are the types of financial institutions for which I provide services:
-Banks
-FinTech
-Credit Unions
-Insurance Companies
Our key areas of expertise are as follows:
- Risk Intelligence & Governance
- AI/Model Risk Management
- Digital Regulations & Compliance
- Financial Resilience
- Strategic Risk Leadership
The Core Services that The Risk Strategist provides are as follows:
- Interim Chief Risk Officer
- Enterprise Risk Framework Development
- Board & Regulator Reporting
- Control Frameworks & Risk Appetite
- Risk Metrics and Analytics
Meet The Risk Strategist
The Risk Strategist is a premier risk intelligence and governance advisory firm founded by Dr. Jeffrey L. Edwards, a nationally recognized leader in enterprise risk, regulatory strategy, and digital transformation for financial institutions. With over 30 years of experience, we help institutions build risk-smart cultures, strengthen regulatory compliance, and future-proof their operations in an evolving digital and financial landscape. We empower boards, executives, and risk teams with strategic insight, practical tools, and forward-thinking governance to transform risk from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage.
What Sets Us Apart
✅ Deep regulatory knowledge + practical execution
✅ Experience across banks, fintechs, and digital asset ecosystems
✅ Risk frameworks tailored for scale, compliance, and innovation
✅ Thought leadership in AI risk, model governance, and digital finance
✅ Empathetic, values-driven partnership with your board, executives, and stakeholders
Our Clients
We serve financial institutions, fintech startups, credit unions, and regulated entities looking to:
-Navigate regulatory change
-Build or mature ERM programs
-Improve board governance and risk reporting
-Launch compliant digital products
-Strengthen internal controls and 3LoD alignment
Dr. Jeffrey L. Edwards
Dr. Jeffrey Edwards is a seasoned Fractional Chief Risk Officer, thought leader, educator, and former bank executive with deep expertise across:
-Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) & Risk Governance
-Regulatory Compliance (OCC, FDIC, FRB, FFIEC)
-AI & Technology Risk Oversight
-Digital Banking & Fintech Strategy
-Credit, Operational, and Strategic Risk
-Stress Testing, KRIs, and Risk Appetite Frameworks
Dr. Edwards' Education and Credentials include the following:
-Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
-MBA & MS in Financial Mathematics
-BS in Statistics
-Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF)
-Six Sigma Black Belt
Key Roles & Experience
-Chief Risk Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, lead enterprise-wide risk management
and credit policy for all lending activities, developed risk governance framework, credit
risk appetite, and risk-adjusted decision-making processes
-Former Chief Control Officer, responsible for risk and compliance across all lines
of defense
-Oversaw risk and controls at a digital trust bank, bridging traditional finance with Web3
-Led enterprise-wide regulatory exams, internal audit readiness, and board risk reporting
-Designed and implemented ERM frameworks, governance models, and risk dashboards
for banks, credit unions, and fintechs
-Frequent advisor to boards and C-suites on emerging risks and strategic foresight
Why The Risk Strategist
Why The Risk Strategist?
-Strategic foresight rooted in quantitative and governance expertise
-Proven ability to align risk with board and business priorities
-Experience across financial services, fintech, credit unions, and more
Top Problems I Solve:
-Lack of ERM structure
-Ineffective control implementation & performance
-High risk exposure without controls
The following is a list of tools used during the service implementation:
-Board-Ready Risk Checklist
-ERM Maturity Scorecard
-Vendor Risk Toolkit
-KRI Starter Kit
-Risk Appetite Builder
-RCSA Kit
The following is a list of deliverables to expect depending on the scope of the engagement:
- ERM Framework
- Heat Maps and Dashboards
- Risk Appetite Statement
- Board Reporting Templates
- Policy Reviews and Development
Fractional CRO Engagement Process
The following Fractional Chief Risk Officer Engagement Process outlines what to expect, what you’ll need to provide, and how to make the most of Fracitonal CRO engagement.
What to Expect
• A structured engagement beginning with onboarding and risk discovery
• A collaborative and confidential process
• Clear deliverables aligned to risk maturity, board visibility, and compliance requirements
What you'll need to provide
• A completed onboarding questionnaire
• Access to key policies, reporting, and organizational structure
• A primary point of contact for day-to-day collaboration
Engagement Roadmap
Week 1: Onboarding & Risk Discovery
Weeks 2–4: Risk Assessment & Framework Review
Weeks 5–8: Control Mapping & Board Reporting
Weeks 9–12: Implementation Support & Ongoing Advisory
Let’s Talk
Whether you’re facing a regulatory exam, launching a new product, or building risk capabilities from the ground up — The Risk Strategist is here to help.
📧 Contact: Jeffrey.Edwards@theriskstrategist.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Dr. Jeffrey Edwards