Gregory Lucas is a seasoned financial executive and risk management leader with over 40 years of experience in banking, financial services, and regulatory compliance. A trusted advisor and strategic visionary, Gregory has built and led high-performing teams while spearheading enterprise-wide risk frameworks, regulatory transformation initiatives, and corporate governance enhancements at some of the world’s most prominent financial institutions. His deep expertise spans enterprise risk, market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, and financial oversight, making him a highly sought-after thought leader in risk management and regulatory strategy.
Gregory’s distinguished career includes leadership roles at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and risk consultant at Citigroup, where he played an integral role in risk transformation, compliance enhancement, and operational governance across diverse financial entities. As Managing Director and Head of Enterprise Risk Management Americas at SMBC, he was responsible for evolving the Target Operating Model for the bank’s U.S. risk function, aligning it with the Americas’ growth strategy and regulatory expectations. Gregory successfully managed Chief Risk Officers across multiple legal entities, ensuring a unified, enterprise-wide risk management framework that adhered to global best practices and regulatory compliance.
Throughout his career, Gregory has been at the forefront of risk mitigation strategies, regulatory adherence, and financial sustainability. He has designed and implemented risk appetite frameworks, establishing governance and oversight models that ensure sustainable and controlled growth within complex banking environments. His leadership was instrumental in remediating regulatory matters, developing global climate risk frameworks, managing reputational risk, and refining capital stress testing standards. Gregory’s strategic insights into risk identification and mitigation have helped financial institutions navigate emerging risks, market volatility, and regulatory shifts while fostering an organizational culture of transparency, accountability, and operational resilience.
Gregory also played a pivotal role in the creation of a bank holding company (BHC) during his tenure at SMBC. He was the project management lead in structuring the legal entity risk framework and aligning capital stress testing programs across risk disciplines. His expertise in liquidity management and market risk allowed him to design effective stress testing methodologies, contingency funding plans, and risk metric frameworks that bolstered the institution’s financial stability. His extensive experience engaging with regulatory agencies and compliance bodies has reinforced his reputation as a highly respected regulatory strategist with the ability to drive effective risk-based decision-making at the board and executive levels.
Gregory’s global exposure further distinguishes him as a cross-cultural leader with extensive international risk management experience. Having spent 29 years working with a Japanese bank, he has developed a deep understanding of global banking operations, cross-border risk management, and international regulatory compliance. His ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional risk landscapes, assess geopolitical risks, and implement strategic risk frameworks makes him an invaluable asset to organizations seeking seasoned risk leadership with a global perspective.
Now looking to transition from full-time executive roles into board service and advisory leadership, Gregory is eager to leverage his decades of expertise in risk management, finance, and regulatory compliance to help organizations achieve sustainable growth, enhanced governance, and robust risk oversight. His strategic mindset, regulatory acumen, and proven leadership in financial risk mitigation position him as a high-impact board candidate, particularly for financial institutions, fintech firms, and corporations seeking strong risk governance and compliance oversight.
Gregory holds an MBA in International Finance from Pace University and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from Western Washington University. He is known for his sharp analytical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to synthesize complex financial and non-financial data into actionable insights. A passionate mentor and advisor, Gregory is excited about helping organizations strengthen their risk posture, improve governance structures, and drive sustainable financial success.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Gregory enjoys golfing and networking through business engagements. He remains open to international opportunities and is particularly interested in serving on boards where he can provide strategic guidance in risk management, governance, and financial sustainability.
Character: Gregory Lucas is a principled and trusted advisor known for his integrity, leadership, and ability to foster a culture of accountability and risk awareness.
Knowledge: With over 40 years of experience, he possesses deep expertise in risk management, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and global banking operations.
Strategic: Gregory excels in designing and executing enterprise-wide risk frameworks, governance models, and regulatory transformation initiatives to drive sustainable financial growth.
Communication: He is an effective communicator who articulates complex financial and risk strategies clearly to stakeholders, executives, and regulatory bodies.
