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"Plan for impact. Think about what amazing looks like and take steps every quarter to achieve it." – Marie Lauri
In this CPD episode of RiskMasters, host Julien Haye welcomes Marie Lauri, Deputy Chief Data Officer and Head of Data Risk and Controls at Deutsche Bank. With an impressive journey from micro-finance to global data governance, Marie shares her insights on navigating challenges in data management, building resilient organisations, and leading with impact.
This discussion delves into how organisations can harness data as a strategic enabler for operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and innovation—all while fostering a culture of collaboration and psychological safety.
In this edition of RiskMasters, you will learn:
Building Strategic Data Governance: How to align regulatory compliance, cost-saving initiatives, and innovation through robust data governance frameworks, including insights into navigating regulations like BCBS 239 and data residency laws.
Balancing Innovation and Risk: The importance of embedding strong controls to enable advancements in AI and cloud migration while ensuring compliance, efficiency, and secure data access across complex systems.
Empowering Leadership Through Networks and Literacy: Marie’s approach to fostering data literacy across organisations and her initiatives to build support networks for female leaders, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives in driving organisational success.
More about Marie Lauri:
Marie Lauri is a seasoned executive specialising in audit, risk management, and data governance. As Head of Data Risks and Controls and Regional Data Officer at Deutsche Bank, she has driven key initiatives in data management, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure modernisation.
With a PhD in applied econometrics and certifications in risk management and audit, Marie combines technical expertise with leadership experience. Beyond her corporate role, she advises Synthetized, an AI fintech, and is a prominent speaker on data transformation and AI adoption. Her passion for finance began through microfinance projects supporting women in developing countries.
Connect with Marie on LinkedIn to explore her insights on gender equity, data risk management, and leadership in financial services.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth discussion on strategic data governance, balancing innovation with risk management, and fostering data literacy to address the evolving challenges of today’s data-driven financial landscape.
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Accreditation number: 800042
Summary of the interview with Marie Lauri on RiskMasters
"Data is the backbone of innovation, but without governance, it becomes a liability." – Marie Lauri
In this episode of the RiskMasters podcast, host Julien Haye speaks with Marie Lauri, Deputy Chief Data Officer and Head of Risk and Control at Deutsche Bank. With over 14 years of experience at Deutsche Bank, Marie offers invaluable insights into the evolving challenges of data governance, the importance of embedding risk management into innovation, and fostering a culture of literacy and inclusion in the financial services sector.
A Career Built on Resilience and Adaptability
Marie reflects on her unconventional career journey, which began with a PhD in microfinance and evolved through roles in audit and risk management to her current leadership in data governance. From tackling records management to leading a global data strategy, Marie’s career demonstrates the power of adaptability and the courage to embrace new challenges.
The Strategic Role of Data Governance
Marie highlights how robust data governance frameworks are essential for aligning regulatory compliance, cost-saving, and modernisation initiatives in large financial institutions. She shares her experience implementing critical lifecycle disciplines like data disposal, residency, and access controls to enable infrastructure optimisation and innovation.
Balancing Innovation and Control
In an industry driven by rapid technological advancements, Marie discusses the importance of balancing innovation with rigorous controls. She explains how Deutsche Bank has leveraged AI and cloud technologies to drive efficiency while maintaining compliance through structured governance frameworks and automated processes.
Fostering Inclusivity and Leadership
As a strong advocate for gender equity, Marie shares her experiences as a female leader and her efforts to build support networks for senior women in finance. She emphasises the unique perspectives that diverse leadership brings to fostering innovation and resilience in organisations.
Actionable Takeaways from the Episode
Set Quarterly Goals for Impact: Marie’s advice to emerging leaders emphasises the importance of consistent, visible contributions to build credibility and advance career goals.
Strengthen Data Literacy Across Organisations: Investing in education ensures that all employees understand and can contribute to a strong data culture.
Integrate Innovation with Governance: Building foundational controls enables organisations to safely accelerate adoption of new technologies like AI and cloud computing.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Data Risk Management
Marie Lauri’s career is a testament to the importance of adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning in navigating the challenges of modern financial services. Her insights on strategic data governance, innovation, and fostering inclusive leadership offer a roadmap for professionals looking to excel in today’s data-driven landscape.
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of risk, innovation, and leadership in financial services.
FAQs: Insights from Marie Lauri on Data Governance, Risk Management, and Leadership
1. What is the key to successful data governance in a global financial institution?
Marie emphasises the importance of clear accountability, robust governance frameworks, and embedding data literacy across the organisation. At Deutsche Bank, divisional data officers play a critical role in aligning data initiatives with business objectives, ensuring compliance, and driving strategic outcomes like cost savings and innovation.
2. How does Deutsche Bank integrate innovation and risk management in its data strategy?
Marie highlights the need for foundational controls as an enabler of innovation. For example, Deutsche Bank developed strong frameworks for cloud migration and AI adoption, which are continually optimised for efficiency and automation. By codifying processes and embedding controls by design, the bank ensures that innovation aligns with regulatory and operational requirements.
3. What are the biggest challenges in managing data at scale?
Marie identifies three key challenges:
Scope and Complexity: Managing 4,500 applications and 1,300 critical data elements requires harmonised standards and processes.
Cultural Gaps: Many employees lack end-to-end ownership of data processes, relying heavily on technology teams.
Regulatory Expectations: Increasingly stringent regulations, such as BCBS 239 and data residency laws, demand consistent compliance across global operations.
4. What role does data literacy play in modern organisations?
Marie believes data literacy is essential for embedding good data practices across an organisation. Deutsche Bank has invested heavily in training programs, educating 4,500 technologists in cloud engineering and fostering broader awareness of AI and data governance principles. She advocates for structured programs like data academies to elevate baseline knowledge across all roles.
5. How does Deutsche Bank address gender equity in leadership?
Marie shares her experience as a pioneer for gender equity within the bank. She established a female MD network in the UK, providing senior women with opportunities to connect, learn, and mentor others. Her initiatives also include developing gender balance strategies and participating in industry steering committees focused on inclusivity.
6. How do regulations like BCBS 239 influence data governance?
Marie explains that BCBS 239 sets the standard for data aggregation and risk reporting in financial institutions. However, regulators now expect these practices to extend beyond risk metrics to include all key processes. This expanded scope challenges organisations to scale data governance frameworks and maintain compliance across diverse regulatory environments.
7. How can organisations balance innovation with regulatory compliance?
Marie recommends focusing on three pillars:
Automation: Streamlining compliance processes through automated controls.
Metadata Strategy: Ensuring all data is properly tagged and documented to facilitate governance.
Centralised Reference Data: Building consistent standards and taxonomies to improve data quality and process integration.
8. What emerging trends in data governance should leaders prepare for?
Marie sees three major trends shaping the future:
AI Adoption: As AI models become central to decision-making, robust data governance will ensure ethical, unbiased, and accurate data use.
Data Privacy and Sovereignty: Regulations around data residency and privacy will become even more critical, influencing cloud migration strategies.
Metadata Optimisation: Organisations will need to improve metadata tagging to enable automated controls and seamless data access.
9. What advice does Marie have for emerging leaders in data and risk management?
Marie advises leaders to:
Plan for Impact: Define what success looks like for your role and aim for visible achievements each quarter.
Build Support Networks: Surround yourself with mentors and peers who can provide guidance and collaboration.
Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay informed about new technologies, regulatory changes, and best practices in your field.
10. How does Deutsche Bank drive cost savings through data governance?
Marie explains that robust data management allows Deutsche Bank to rationalise IT platforms, decommission legacy systems, and optimise processes. For example, effective records retention and data disposal frameworks enable the bank to reduce costs while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.
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