Suzanne Garcia, CAMS
Suzanne Garcia, CAMS, is a seasoned financial crimes leader with over 19 years of experience across banking and financial technology. She began her career on the front lines in customer service and steadily advanced through roles in fraud prevention, anti-money laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), OFAC compliance, and risk management. Today, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical systems, regulatory compliance, and business strategy—operationalizing transaction monitoring frameworks that protect both customers and financial institutions while meeting complex regulatory requirements.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word. In addition to her academic background, Suzanne has earned multiple industry certifications, including Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and holds credentials in product management, Scrum, Lean Six Sigma, project management, and change management. Her expertise spans both traditional banking and fintech environments, where she is known for driving operational excellence and leading cross-functional initiatives.
A dedicated and empathetic leader, Suzanne is passionate about developing high-performing teams and mentoring the next generation of professionals—particularly women in compliance and financial crimes. She attributes her success to learning how to follow before leading, and to consistently leading with integrity, resilience, and purpose. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in ethical decision-making, relationship-building, and empowering others to find their voice and grow into impactful leaders.
• CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
• Product Owner Product Manager Certification
• Scrum Master Certification
• Project Management Certification
• Change Management Certification
• Training Certification
• Fraud Certification (in process)
• University of Texas at Austin – Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Minor in Mathematics)
• University of the Incarnate Word – Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership
• Influential Women 2026
• Influential Women Network
• Caregiver for elderly and sick mother
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to learning to follow first before I could lead. As an employee and hard worker, I became what's known as a top performer. From there, I was able to transition into leadership roles because of being a top performer. Now I'm no longer the top performer - instead, I lead top performers, mentor and develop them, all while still maintaining and managing the business. This transition has come with its lessons learned. My biggest accomplishment has been finding my own voice in leadership, finding my own path in leadership, but also developing others into leaders. That's been the most rewarding - developing others in the compliance world, especially if they're female. I have a soft spot for women, and I want to continue doing that. I also had to make a leadership decision to step away from work for a year to care for my elderly and sick mother in her declining medical state. As a leader, resiliency taught me to lead with empathy and to do ethical leadership - doing what's right when it's hard, even if it means for your personal life.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women to not be afraid to use their voice. It is important to find your voice early and use it for the greater good. Do not hesitate to ask questions, challenge ideas when appropriate, and advocate for yourself and others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is effectively bridging the gap between technical systems, compliance requirements, and business strategy. Operationalizing transaction monitoring systems while navigating regulatory exams and audits requires strong cross-functional collaboration. However, this also presents a major opportunity to create more integrated and effective solutions that better protect both customers and financial institutions from fraud and financial crime.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value empathy, ethical leadership, and doing what is right even when it is difficult. Building meaningful relationships, supporting others’ growth, and maintaining integrity in both professional and personal decisions are central to how I lead and live.
Locations
Covarrubias Consulting
San Antonio, TX 78245