Redefining the intersection of AI, innovation, and integrity to transform compliance from a corporate barrier into a strategic catalyst for global growth

The Courage to Stand Alone

In the high-stakes world of global finance and emerging technology, compliance is often relegated to a checklist—a sterile barrier to be cleared. But for Oonagh van den Berg, risk management is a living, breathing exercise in human behavior and moral courage. Having spent over two decades navigating the boardrooms of JP Morgan, HSBC, and Citi, and the volatile frontiers of fintech and crypto, Oonagh has emerged as more than an executive; she is a disruptor. Her philosophy is simple yet radical: compliance isn’t about saying “no”; it is about enabling ethical, intelligent growth through the seamless integration of AI, data, and authentic leadership. Guided by the mantra “Alis volat propriis—she flies with her own wings,” Oonagh has dedicated her career to ensuring that as technology accelerates, our collective integrity keeps pace.

Resilience Forged in Northern Ireland

Oonagh’s professional grit was not born in a corporate seminar, but in the pragmatism of her upbringing in Northern Ireland during “The Troubles.” Growing up in an environment where community was vital and conflict was a daily reality, she learned early that doing the right thing rarely aligns with doing the easiest thing. This period instilled in her a profound sense of resilience and a strong moral compass that would become the hallmark of her leadership.

Her early work ethic was equally grounded. Long before she was advising global boards, Oonagh was cleaning horse stables—a task she recalls as the early training ground for the discipline of showing up. Her first paid role as a waitress further hammered home a fundamental truth: trust is not granted by title; it is earned through the accumulation of small, reliable actions. From the stables of her youth to the hallowed halls of Maastricht University and the Yale School of Management, her journey has been defined by the belief that “leadership and being accountable is less about authority and more about courage, particularly when decisions carry real-world consequences.”

A Force of Nature in Global Finance

Oonagh’s professional trajectory is a masterclass in versatility. With a career spanning giants like the ECB, Standard Chartered, and ING, she mastered the intricacies of traditional finance before pivoting to the “digital edition” of the industry. At Uphold, as Chief Platform Officer, she earned a reputation as a “force of nature,” as described by Chief Innovation Officer Marco Oliveira. Oliveira noted her unique ability to “connect the dots between departments,” ensuring that engineering innovation never outpaced regulatory strategy.

This period of her career was defined by her ability to act as a “translator” between the fast-moving world of fintech and the rigid requirements of global regulators. Whether she was designing regulatory strategies for global expansion or leading complex governance transformations, Oonagh remained dedicated to the technical side of the house, understanding that in the modern era, technology is the only foundation for scalable compliance. Her rise wasn’t just about climbing the ladder; it was about building a better, more transparent ladder for the entire industry.

Redefining the “Psychological Architecture” of Risk

Today, Oonagh is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Risk Solutions (VRS) and RAW Compliance, a global social enterprise that has trained over 15,000 professionals. Her impact is most visible in her Modernising Compliance book series, where she tackles the “uncomfortable” gaps in the industry. She argues passionately that compliance frameworks fail not because of a lack of policy, but because they fail to account for human behavior and toxic cultures.

Oonagh is a vocal advocate against the “boys’ club” mentalities that have migrated from traditional finance into crypto. She speaks with raw transparency about the cost of toxic cultures, noting that “silence and inaction are complicity—it’s time to call out and dismantle these behaviors.” Her work with global bodies like the European Parliament, Interpol, and the UN focuses on the intersection of AI governance and real-world risk. She challenges the industry to look at the “psychological architecture” of financial crime, reminding us that behind every digital scam is a human victim and an engineered system of exploitation.

A Legacy of Authentic Leadership

As Oonagh looks toward the future, her vision is one of “simplicity through collaboration.” She continues to lecture at Northumbria University and the School of International Financial Services, preparing the next generation for a tech-first world. Her message to Gen Z is clear: “Focus less on speed and more on substance. The world you’re entering is evolving rapidly, and the differentiator won’t just be technical skills—it will be judgement, integrity, and curiosity.”

For Oonagh, the legacy she is building is not just found in her books or the companies she has led, but in the culture of authenticity she champions as a working mother of three. She remains a firm believer that leadership requires the transparency to show one’s struggles and the optimism to start every day with a positive thought. In her world, risk management is the ultimate competitive advantage—a strategic catalyst that, when done right, allows a business to fly with its own wings.

Editorial Note

Oonagh van den Berg’s journey from the rugged landscapes of Northern Ireland to the forefront of AI-driven compliance is a testament to the power of principled leadership. Her story serves as a call to action for every professional: to move beyond the “checkbox” and embrace a culture where innovation is rooted in integrity.