Her Story
About Natalie
Natalie Nix has built a dynamic and purpose-driven career in the field of anti-money laundering and financial investigations, combining analytical precision with a strong commitment to protecting communities from financial crime. Currently serving as a Senior Analyst I at AML RightSource in the Columbus metropolitan area, Natalie specializes in transaction monitoring, Know Your Customer (KYC) reviews, and identifying suspicious financial activity tied to crimes such as human trafficking and drug trafficking. Her keen attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and investigative instincts have helped her excel in a field where criminal methods constantly evolve and adaptability is essential.
Natalie’s professional journey reflects both determination and versatility. Before transitioning into anti-money laundering work, she developed extensive experience in customer service, operations, and leadership through roles ranging from administrative support to business management. As a manager at Glow Putt Mini Golf, she handled customer relations, employee training, scheduling, and event coordination, while later positions as a nanny and administrative assistant strengthened her organizational and multitasking abilities. Her decision to pursue AML investigations stemmed from a lifelong interest in detective work, but she intentionally chose a career path that would allow her to balance professional fulfillment with being fully present for her family and her son’s important milestones.
Education has played a central role in Natalie’s success. She earned a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminology and Sociology with a minor in Forensics from The Ohio State University. Backed by strong analytical skills and a philosophy grounded in honesty, persistence, and hard work, Natalie continues to grow within the AML industry while remaining passionate about investigative work that helps safeguard the financial system.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natalie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my attention to detail. I'm OCD, so all the little details pop out for me, which makes it a lot easier in this field. If you don't catch the little details, then you really can't be successful in anti-money laundering. Beyond that, I'd say honesty, hard work, and persistence are what drive me. I have two full-time jobs right now and I'm the only girl on my team, but I have the best numbers and the best scores. I stay quiet and let the numbers speak for themselves, because that's all that really matters when it comes to moving up.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to stay strong and confident in a male-dominated field, trust my abilities, and never let challenges or stereotypes stop me from succeeding.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay strong and don't let the guys bully you, because they will. I'm the only girl on my team, and even though I have the best numbers and the best scores, they still look down on me. Honestly, just work hard, and if you stay quiet, you can show the numbers, and that's all that matters really. You'll move up a lot faster that way. It's a male-dominated field, and they will try to kick you down, but you have to keep pushing forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that everything changes so much. As far as technology and people go, criminals change the way that they do things once investigators figure out what their current method is. Everything is constantly changing, and we have to figure out what their new methods are. That's probably the biggest challenge I would say. There are systems in place to help figure out what they're up to, and they let us know what we need to change, which helps out a little bit.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are honesty, hard work, and persistence. I also value attention to detail, which is critical in my work. On a personal level, I value being present for my son and not missing out on the important moments like birthdays, holidays, and school events. That's actually why I chose anti-money laundering over becoming a detective - so I could have set hours and be there for all those things with him. My safe place is being outside doing yard work and spending time with my son.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Ohio
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.