Nitisha Bhandari

About Nitisha Bhandari

Enterprise Operational Risk & Compliance Leader with 15+ years of experience driving first-line risk ownership across U.S. banking and payments. Recognized for stabilizing high-risk, regulator-scrutinized environments; rebuilding fragmented ORM and internal control frameworks; and advising senior executives through consequential risk, regulatory, and growth decisions.Proven track record of translating complex OCC, Federal Reserve, AML, and consumer protection requirements into practical, scalable operating models that preserve business velocity while remaining defensible under examination. Trusted partner to business and technology leaders in embedding preventive controls, strengthening accountability, and eliminating repeat findings across large, complex organizations.Brings deep expertise in enterprise risk governance, regulatory remediation, and 1st Line of Defense program leadership, combined with the judgment to challenge, negotiate, and align leaders around explicit risk ownership and informed risk-taking within appetite. Known for building high-performing teams, influencing at the enterprise level, and delivering sustained risk outcomes—not point-in-time compliance.I have led enterprise operational risk transformations resulting in 40% reduction in regulatory findings, 30% reduction in loss events, and successful risk culture adoption across 8+ business lines. My work consistently balances regulatory rigor with business enablement—improving control effectiveness while accelerating strategic execution.I specialize in designing risk strategies that operate at scale: rationalizing control environments, elevating executive risk intelligence, and aligning governance with enterprise transformation initiatives. I am frequently relied upon by senior leadership to translate regulatory expectations into actionable business decisions, particularly in periods of heightened scrutiny and change.Core areas of leadership and impact include-Enterprise Operational Risk & Governance: Ownership of end-to-end risk frameworks, issue management, and control optimization that withstand regulatory scrutiny.Executive & Board Advisory: Trusted advisor to CXOs and senior committees, delivering concise, decision-ready risk insights.MBA-qualified, I operate at the intersection of strategy, regulation, and execution. I build organizations where risk management is not a constraint, but a competitive advantage that enables resilience, trust, and sustainable growth.

Experience

1. Executive - Strategic Enablement & Enterprise Risk Advisory

   Capital One

   Jun 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Strategic Risk LeadershipLead the design and execution of risk frameworks that proactively identify, assess, and mitigate emerging risks across business lines. Executive & Board AdvisoryAdvise senior leadership and board committees on risk posture, control effectiveness, and strategic implications. Enterprise CollaborationFoster cross-functional partnerships with Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit, and Business Units to embed risk-aware decision-making. Risk Intelligence & ReportingOversee advanced analytics and reporting to deliver predictive insights, trend analysis, and actionable intelligence. Regulatory EngagementLead readiness efforts and engagement with regulators (OCC, FRB, CFPB), ensuring alignment with evolving standards. Talent & Culture ChampionMentor high-performing teams and cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in risk governance. Transformation & ResilienceIntegrate risk into digital innovation, third-party oversight, and operational resilience programs. Strategic RepresentationRepresent the risk function in enterprise planning, M&A, and change initiatives to ensure risk is a strategic enabler.

Education

• APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University

  Bachelor of Technology - BTech, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• Kendriya Vidyalaya

  B.Tech, Electrical Engineering

  2000 — 2007

• IEC College of Engineering & Technology

  Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), EE

  2007 — 2011

• SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)

  Post Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain, Supply Chain

  2015 — 2017

Skills

• Crm
• Windows
• Teamwork
• Sql
• Team Management
• Sas
• Project Management
• Html
• Pl/Sql
• Microsoft Office
• Photoshop
• Management
• C
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Testing
• Core Java
• Business Strategy
• Team Ma
• Mysql
• Microsoft Word
• Business Str
• Php
• C++
• Business Analysis
• Java
• Leadership
• Business Development
• Sas Base