Karla Chown
Karla Chown is a seasoned Third-Party Risk Management Officer at Bradesco Bank, bringing over 14 years of experience across financial services, compliance, and vendor governance. Based in Hollywood, Florida, she currently leads enterprise-level vendor risk and compliance programs supporting U.S. operations for a major Brazilian financial institution. Her expertise spans third-party risk management (TPRM), regulatory compliance, contract governance, and audit and exam readiness within complex, multinational environments.
Throughout her career, Karla has demonstrated a strong ability to build, optimize, and scale vendor management frameworks aligned with regulatory standards such as FFIEC and GLBA. In her current role, she oversees more than 300 vendor relationships, including critical and high-risk vendors, and directs cross-functional teams responsible for due diligence, risk assessments, performance monitoring, and lifecycle management. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she partners closely with Legal, Finance, Information Security, and business stakeholders while serving as a key liaison to regulators, auditors, and senior leadership.
Karla’s professional journey began in Ecuador, where she built a solid foundation in compliance and risk management before relocating to the United States in 2018. She has since held progressive roles at institutions including Itaú USA, further deepening her regulatory and governance expertise. She holds a Master’s degree in Compliance, Fraud, and Money Laundering with a concentration in Risk Management from UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, as well as a background in Accounting and Auditing. Fluent in English and Spanish, with conversational Portuguese, Karla is driven by integrity, accountability, and the belief that strong compliance programs enable sustainable business growth.
• UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia - MS
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong commitment to continuing education and professional growth. Earning a master’s degree in risk management strengthened my technical expertise and equipped me with practical tools to navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence.
Equally meaningful, however, has been the recognition I’ve received from peers. Being acknowledged for collaboration, reliability, and strong audit outcomes reinforces that integrity, consistency, and how we show up for others matter just as much as titles or degrees.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that success isn’t about controlling every outcome—it’s about controlling your preparation, your effort, and how you respond to challenges. That perspective, shared by my mentors, has stayed with me at every stage of my career and continues to guide how I approach both opportunities and obstacles.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In an industry defined by constant change, I focus on what I can control: my preparation, effort, and response to challenges. That mindset has guided me through high-pressure environments and continues to shape the advice I share with young women entering the field. I encourage them to trust their preparation, use their voice, stay curious, and never compromise their integrity.
I also emphasize the importance of building strong relationships and asking questions without fear. Consistency and curiosity are just as critical as technical skill, and I believe that one’s background and resilience should be viewed as strengths to be leveraged, not obstacles to overcome.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, accountability, and balance. As a Latina woman in financial services, my leadership has been shaped by both my professional journey and my lived experiences. To me, integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and accountability means owning decisions and outcomes with both confidence and humility.
Outside of my career, I am a mother, an avid reader, and someone who deeply values balance. I enjoy traveling, staying active, and following basketball—a sport I played competitively in college. These pursuits keep me grounded and remind me that effective leadership is built not only on expertise and discipline, but on living a full, well-rounded life that allows us to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
Locations
Bradesco Bank
Pembrooke Pines, FL 33029