Bardha Zendeli

Strategic and execution-focused risk and controls leader with deep expertise in AI/ML Governance, Model Risk, Data Risk, Technology Risk, and Regulatory Compliance within global financial services. Proven ability to design and operationalize enterprise AI governance frameworks, align emerging regulations (EU AI Act, GenAI controls) with business innovation, and partner effectively across first, second, and third lines of defense. Recognized for translating complex regulatory and technical risk into clear executive insights, scalable controls, and sustainable operating models.

Vice President – AI/ML Governance, Commercial & Investment Banking (CIB) - J.P. Morgan Chase - Chicago, IL

(2025-01)

• Lead AI/ML and GenAI governance for CIB, covering policy execution, risk assessments, control design, and regulatory readiness across hundreds of AI use cases.
• Designed and operationalized GenAI Impact Assessment framework in partnership with Firmwide CAO, streamlining Risk & Controls Assessments and reducing full RCA scope by 50–60%.
• Governed 1,490 AI use cases (1,035 GenAI), enabling deployment of 15 Top AI and 34 Accelerated AI solutions while maintaining strong risk posture.
• Led EU AI Act readiness, delivering AI Literacy and Prohibited AI obligations and completing 12- and 24-month impact assessments for future compliance.
• Partner closely with Model Risk Management, Legal, Privacy, Technology, and Risk to interpret new AI policies and translate them into actionable implementation plans.
• Serve as primary liaison for Audit, Regulatory, and Client inquiries related to AI/ML governance and controls.
• Developed executive-level AI governance dashboards and reporting, enhancing senior management visibility into risk, adoption, and compliance.
• Defined strategic roadmap for AI governance tooling, improving efficiency, traceability, and scalability across CIB.
• Launched an LLM-based knowledge tool with Privacy to automate responses to AI and data privacy client inquiries.

Vice President – Data, Digital & Product Controls, Commercial Banking - J.P. Morgan Chase - Chicago, IL

(2021-01 - 2024-12)

• Owned governance and control management for Information and Data Risk, partnering across first, second, and third lines of defense.
• Led end-to-end Control & Operational Risk Evaluation (CORE) mapping through deep process walkthroughs with product and data owners.
• Successfully closed 8 regulatory issues and 10 action plans, all validated and completed on time.
• Drove control automation and reporting improvements using tools such as Alteryx, reducing manual risk processes.
• Partnered with Chief Data Office to mature controls across complex data platforms and analytics environments.
• Championed continuous improvement culture aligned with firmwide policies and standards.

Vice President – Cybersecurity & Technology Controls, Commercial Banking - J.P. Morgan Chase - Chicago, IL

(2019-01 - 2021-12)

• Led technology and security control oversight across data platforms.
• Implemented and remediated action plans for Records Management control gaps.
• Developed and enforced security policies, procedures, and control documentation.
• Managed regulatory materiality assessments and descoping for EMEA legal entities.
• Provided executive reporting on control effectiveness, issue remediation, and risk posture.

Senior Project Manager – Global Information & Technology Risk Management - BMO Financial Group - Chicago, IL

(2016-01 - 2019-12)

• Delivered firmwide Data Loss Prevention (DLP) capabilities across North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Implemented regulatory-compliant controls for data-in-motion, endpoint, and data-at-rest environments.
• Designed governance processes, procedures, and internal controls aligned to U.S. and Canadian regulations.
• Provided executive risk reporting, roadmap management, and issue tracking.

Senior Project Manager, Infrastructure Program Management - Global Insight (United Airlines)

IT Operations Manager / Project Manager - Empire Today

Associate, IT Project Lead - Grosvenor Capital Management

Master of Science - Management Information Systems - Roosevelt University

Bachelor of Arts - Telecommunications - Roosevelt University