Spyro Karetsos, Chief Compliance Officer
Professional Overview
Spyro Karetsos is an accomplished compliance and risk management executive with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. As the Chief Compliance Officer at Remitly, he is responsible for overseeing the company's regulatory compliance programs, ensuring adherence to industry standards, and mitigating potential risks.
Experience Summary
Current Role
Spyro Karetsos joined Remitly in June 2024 as the Chief Compliance Officer, where he is tasked with maintaining the company's robust compliance framework and driving initiatives to enhance regulatory adherence across its global operations. In this role, he leverages his deep expertise in enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic advisory to support Remitly's growth and market leadership.
Career Progression
Prior to Remitly, Spyro held several high-profile roles in the technology and financial services sectors. He served as the Advisor to the President, Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer at Google, where he provided strategic counsel on complex regulatory and compliance matters. Before that, he was the Chief Compliance Officer at Google, responsible for overseeing the company's compliance programs and risk management strategies.
Spyro's extensive experience also includes serving as the Chief Compliance Officer at SunTrust, where he led the enterprise risk services function, and as the Director of Enterprise Risk Management at Vanguard, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the firm's risk oversight capabilities. Earlier in his career, he held roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as well as at Goldman Sachs and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
Academic Background
Spyro holds a Juris Doctor degree from a leading law school, where he graduated with distinction. He is also a member of several industry associations, including the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.
Areas of Expertise
- Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Enterprise-wide governance and control frameworks
- Strategic advisory on complex regulatory and legal matters
- Driving organizational transformation and operational excellence
- Building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of compliance
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Spyro has been recognized for his contributions to the financial services industry. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the Risk Management Association, where he has played an active role in shaping industry policies and best practices.
Conclusion
Spyro Karetsos is a seasoned compliance and risk management leader with a track record of driving strategic initiatives and delivering measurable results. In his current role as the Chief Compliance Officer at Remitly, he is poised to leverage his extensive expertise to further strengthen the company's compliance posture and support its continued growth and success in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.
