Rising Stars of the Profession: Tara Wensel

Tara is a Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Senior Manager in the Regulatory & Operations Risk function specializing in the Banking & Securities sector. During her nine years with the firm, she has worked with banks, fintechs, and other financial institutions executing projects related to new bank charters, operational optimization, governance models design and regulator exam readiness and response.

In her most recent engagements, she had been leading efforts to advise her Financial Services Clients through business and entity transformations. For example, she had been leading new ank charter efforts to advise multiple clients on licensing and chartering strategies. This work has included legal entity options analysis and feasibility studies as well as assistance with the application process including business plan drafting, and implementation support including rafting implementation plans and preparing for regulatory examinations.

Tara also works with clients that are preparing for a new product or business launch (e.g. digital asset launch). The scope of her work in this space includes assessing risk and regulatory considerations and requirements, designing target state capabilities, and setting up robust governance structures in line with regulatory expectations.

Tara has an MBA from Columbia University in New York City.

What would you say has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

Being given a chance even when I didn't necessarily deserve one. When I was working for Deloitte in Chile, and spoke very poor Spanish, a few mentors gave me opportunities to work hard and prove myself.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

The work we do is seriously so cool and forever changing. I love working in a constant state of ambiguity (e.g. changing regulatory environment, shifts from banks to banking) and trying to find the constants that I can take to my clients to help us all learn from others that are going through the same challenges.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

Working with my first fintech client and helping them stand up their end-to-end program to launch their bank was a big deal for me. I proved to myself that I could work not only with financial clients but also more agile, cutting edge fintechs too. They let me know how much they valued my strategic eye and ability to bring in just-in-time insights while also executing on the work.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

You can go fast by yourself but you can't go far with others. This is a constant reminder to bring others along with me even as I blaze my own trail.

What does being honored as a Rising Star mean to you?

I remember feeling like an emperor with no clothes entering onto the big scene of working in consulting in New York City, with these impressively tenured global banking executives and trying to find ways to add value. I have learned so much during my career at Deloitte (and am fully dressed!) and being honored as a Rising Star is a reminder to any newbie in the consulting world to keep on working hard, one day at a time and soon you may find yourself with a recognition you didn't think was possible.