Ed Williams is a distinguished audit and risk management executive with over 20 years of experience leading comprehensive financial control frameworks, audit compliance programs, and enterprise risk mitigation strategies. As a trusted leader in the financial services industry and beyond, Ed has built his career on the principles of integrity, transparency, and operational excellence.
Currently serving as SOX Program Manager at Truist, Ed oversees the company’s enterprise-wide Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program. His role entails leading the design, execution, and ongoing refinement of Truist’s internal control environment. Acting as a critical liaison between internal and external audit functions and the business units, he ensures that regulatory compliance is not only achieved but is strategically integrated into the fabric of the organization. Ed’s leadership is defined by his ability to assess complex control landscapes, manage remediation efforts for identified gaps, and strengthen compliance postures through clear guidance and scalable solutions.
Before joining Truist, Ed served as a financial controls & oversight consultant at Wells Fargo, where he led rigorous control testing initiatives and played a key role in sustaining team performance during the company’s remote work transition. His early career included tenure at PwC, where he worked closely with financial services clients on audits for alternative investments and employee benefit plans—laying a strong foundation in financial reporting and audit efficiency.
Ed’s diverse experience also includes consulting roles with Newbold Advisors, where he helped formalize third-party vendor management processes and resolve regulatory consent order violations. During his time in the mortgage division at Wells Fargo, he helped reduce court-mandated mediation proceedings from 85,000 to 8,000 in New York—a testament to his commitment to outcomes that balance organizational needs with client-centered resolutions.
Complementing his financial acumen, Ed also has noteworthy experience in the construction industry, bringing unique insights into compliance and financial control within that vertical. He holds an MBA in Finance and a BS in Accounting from Fairfield University, where he also played NCAA Division I football. Additionally, Ed pursued computer programming coursework at Harvard Extension School, strengthening his capabilities in systems-based process optimization.
Though based in New York, Ed is open to international opportunities and brings a mindset of agility and adaptability to every challenge. While his experience is rooted in large financial institutions, Ed is deeply passionate about supporting smaller, mission-driven companies, where his broad industry exposure and people-first values can have the greatest impact.
Ed’s professional philosophy centers on creating audit and compliance functions that do more than check boxes—they enable growth, foster stakeholder trust, and elevate operational standards. Whether leading audit teams, presenting internally on risk strategies, or mentoring junior professionals, Ed consistently bridges the gap between governance and strategic business objectives.
Outside the boardroom, Ed enjoys time at the gym, home construction projects, coaching his children’s sports teams, and reading. He is a proud member of the Fairfield University alumni network and is actively seeking board and advisory opportunities where he can add value, support community-focused missions, and share his deep expertise in compliance, audit, and enterprise risk.
Character: Ed Williams exemplifies integrity, accountability, and a commitment to fostering ethical, people-centered business environments.
Knowledge: He brings over two decades of deep expertise in audit, SOX compliance, finance, and risk management across multiple industries.
Strategic: Ed aligns regulatory compliance with business growth objectives, creating scalable frameworks that enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
Communication: He is a skilled communicator who effectively bridges departments and stakeholders, delivering clear, actionable guidance on complex compliance issues.
