Valerie Towery is a seasoned compliance professional with extensive expertise in the financial services industry, offering a proven record of success in regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency. With over two decades of compliance leadership experience with US, Canadian, UK, and EU organizations, Valerie combines strategic vision with a deep understanding of regulatory landscapes and advanced technical systems to drive sustainable improvements and compliance excellence.

Most recently serving as Vice President of Compliance at Visa and Chief Compliance Officer and BSA/AML Officer of Visa Global Services Inc. (VGSI), a registered Money Services Business (MSB). She ensured VGSI’s adherence to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) regulations while implementing innovative compliance frameworks that safeguard the organization from financial crimes. Her leadership extended to managing teams at other Visa regulated entities across the U.S., Canada, the UK and EU overseeing compliance functions for VGSI, Visa Payments Limited (VPL), Currencycloud, and Tink. Valerie regularly presented to global Boards through this and other roles. Valerie’s achievements include establishing Visa’s first global compliance center of excellence, leveraging advanced technologies such as Actimize modules, and optimizing KYC processes to enhance efficiency and mitigate risk.

Before joining Visa, Valerie held pivotal roles at Worldpay, LLC, including Head of Compliance for North America. She successfully implemented the FinCEN Beneficial Ownership/CDD Rule across complex platforms and led high-profile investigations, showcasing her ability to address regulatory challenges with precision and agility. At SquareTwo Financial, she played a key role in building a formal compliance program for a newly regulated industry, exemplifying her commitment to innovation and compliance integrity. While there she managed a CFPB/Multi-state exam involving over 10,000 artifacts and successfully lowered the number of findings through presentation of supporting documentation. 

Valerie’s distinguished tenure at Western Union further underscores her capabilities. As Regional Vice President for North America, she developed comprehensive AML/CTF programs tailored to diverse payment methods and regulatory frameworks. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams and build robust systems has consistently resulted in enhanced compliance operations and strong regulatory relationships. While there, Valerie represented key entities and products to a Moderator assigned via Consent Order with positive outcomes.

A U.S. Army Reserve Disabled Veteran and fluent Russian speaker, Valerie’s global cultural awareness enriches her professional perspective. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and International Affairs from the University of Colorado, where she graduated with distinction and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Iota Rho. Valerie also holds the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation, among other technical and professional certifications, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and professional excellence.

Valerie’s commitment to community is evident in her volunteer efforts with organizations such as Food for Thought and Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families. Valerie also brought this commitment into work through her participation and leadership in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and corporate volunteerism.  She founded the local Military ERG chapter at Visa and participated in/collaborated with other ERGs within the workplace. Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoor adventures Colorado offers, as well as yoga and reading, embodying a well-rounded approach to life and leadership.

With a dynamic blend of strategic insight, technical expertise, and a passion for compliance innovation, Valerie Towery continues to make a profound impact in the financial services sector, fostering a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

• Character: Valerie Towery demonstrates integrity, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility, consistently prioritizing compliance and ethical standards in all aspects of her work.
• Knowledge: Valerie possesses deep expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and AML/BSA requirements, with advanced technical proficiency in compliance systems and financial technologies.
• Strategic: Valerie excels at leading large-scale initiatives, optimizing compliance frameworks, and driving operational efficiencies while ensuring adherence to complex regulatory standards.
• Communication: Valerie is an effective communicator, adept at presenting complex compliance data to stakeholders, managing cross-functional teams, and building strong relationships with regulatory bodies.