Kathleen Yap is a seasoned professional with an impressive 30-year career in financial services organizations, where she held pivotal roles, including a decade as Vice President and Head of Compliance Department in two prominent Southeast Asian banks. Over the course of her extensive tenure, Kathleen has demonstrated proficiency in sales support, senior relationship management, and compliance management within a multinational bank. Her expertise extends to the establishment and effective implementation of compliance departments, regulatory frameworks, and anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs. She has played a crucial role in re-engineering business processes, devising integrated remuneration structures for sales staff, and conducting comprehensive training sessions on regulatory compliance, AML/CFT, and financial crime risks. Notably, Kathleen has received acclaim for her customer-centric approach to regulatory compliance, winning the GEMS Award in 2013 for delivering excellence in customer experience. Beyond her roles in established institutions, she has collaborated with legal and blockchain consultancy firms, offering advisory services on regulatory requirements and developing AML/CFT programs and policies for new start-ups.