About Francesca
Senior consultant | Certified coach | 15 years in finance.
I’m Francesca — a Senior Financial Services Consultant and Certified Leadership Coach. For 15 years I’ve worked across the US, UK, and Europe in banking and financial services, focusing on Market risk, PMO, and regulatory change at institutions including Deutsche Bank, EY, HSBC, and Banca IMI (Intesa Sanpaolo).
Along the way, I saw a pattern: projects fail not just because of process, but because of people — communication, leadership, and culture. That is why my work sits at the intersection of consulting and coaching.
I am also an Italian woman who navigated a demanding, male-dominated industry for 15 years — across three continents, often the only woman in the room. That experience shapes everything I do, especially my coaching for women in financial services.
I started my career as a Market Risk Analyst (at Banca IMI Intesa Sanpaolo) in Milan, and spend 15 years building my career across London and New York trading floors (working for HSBC and Deutsche Bank and most recently Ernst & Young — leading market risk management and advising G-SIB clients on governance, regulatory readiness and risk frameworks.
I have managed live trading book risk on credit, distressed and leveraged finance desks, led CCAR, EBA, and MAS regulatory stress test submissions across three time zones, and sat in front of regulators on behalf of major financial institutions.
My work sits at the intersection of deep technical expertise and executive-level communication.
I am also a Maxwell Leadership certified coach — and an Italian woman who has navigated a demanding, male-dominated industry for 15 years. ow I use that experience to help others do the same, faster and with more support than I had.
What I bring
15+ years in financial services across US, UK, and Europe
Deep expertise in market risk, PMO, and regulatory environments
FRM certified (GARP) · MSc Finance, Bocconi University
Maxwell Leadership certified coach
A calm, structured, and genuinely human approach
“Clarity is a form of care — both in organisations and in individual careers. My work is about creating that clarity, then turning it into action.”
“Projects fail not just because of process — but because of people. That is why consulting and coaching belong together.”
My journey
YEAR BY YEAR
2025 – 2026
EY — Risk Consulting Manager
Ernst & Young — New York
At EY, I led risk and regulatory engagements for global financial institutions, with a focus on FRTB, geopolitical risk, and trading-book governance. I partnered with cross-functional teams to design risk frameworks, strengthen governance structures, and support clients through regulatory exams and supervisory interactions. My work includes program management, regulatory alignment, and senior-management reporting across complex, multi-jurisdictional initiatives.
2021 – 2024
Market Risk VP, Credit Flow & Leveraged Finance
Deutsche Bank — New York
As a Market Risk VP, I managed trading-book and fair-value risk across distressed products, credit flow, and leveraged finance. I worked directly with traders to monitor exposures, set risk appetite, evaluate limit frameworks, and guide hedging strategies. I assessed capital efficiency, reviewed underwriting transactions, and represented Market Risk in key committees. My role required real-time decision-making, deep product knowledge, and strong communication with senior stakeholders.
2018 – 2021
Market Risk VP · Stress Testing Lead
Deutsche Bank — New York & London
I led regulatory stress testing submissions across CCAR, EBA, and MAS, coordinating teams in New York, London, Frankfurt, and Mumbai. I oversaw scenario design, execution, governance, and senior-management reporting. I also designed the global stress testing IT architecture, enabling faster submissions, automation, and offshoring of key processes. My work strengthened DB’s global stress testing capabilities and improved efficiency across jurisdictions.
2015 – 2018
Senior Traded Risk Engineer
HSBC – London
At HSBC, I supported market risk and traded credit risk changes across EMEA, focusing on system enhancements, methodology improvements, and regulatory submissions. I contributed to the successful delivery of FRTB QIS2, including Expected Shortfall, IDRC, and Standardised Approach calculations. My role combined technical analysis, system design, and cross-functional collaboration.
2010 – 2015
Market Risk Manager
Intesa Sanpaolo – Milan
I managed risk analysis for interest rate derivatives and structured products, overseeing daily reporting, limit monitoring, and stress testing. I partnered with trading desks, financial engineering, and valuation teams to ensure accurate pricing and effective risk management. I also contributed to ICAAP reporting and supported international expansion initiatives across London, New York, and Hong Kong.
I began my career in market risk, supporting VaR reporting, PL analysis, and risk monitoring across multiple branches and subsidiaries. I contributed to system consolidation projects and supported risk analysis across FX, IR, equity, and credit products.
My Approach
Whether I’m advising a global bank or coaching an emerging leader, my philosophy is the same: clarity, structure, and human connection drive better outcomes. I combine analytical rigour with a coaching mindset to help institutions and individuals navigate complexity with confidence.
Beyond Work
I’m passionate about personal growth, coaching, and exploring the world — and I believe that curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning are the foundations of meaningful leadership.