Curated Portfolio
James L. Gowen, Jr. , Ph.D.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data & Technology Risk Executive | Financial Services
Executive Value Proposition
AI & Data Strategy
Translates cutting-edge AI capabilities into responsible, compliant deployment strategies that balance innovation with enterprise-grade risk controls.
Risk Architecture Leader
20+ years steering AI, data governance, and technology risk frameworks across tier-1 global banks and regulatory environments.
Regulatory Fluency (AI/Data)
Deep expertise navigating Basel IV, BCBS 239, GDPR (Privacy), EU ACT, NIST- RMF, DORA, FFIEC, ISO 31000, and emerging AI regulatory mandates across US, EU, and APAC jurisdictions.
Executive Profile
Dr. James L. Gowen, Jr. combines extensive academic knowledge with over two decades of practical leadership in data governance, operational excellence, and emerging AI technology risk and controls across three (3) tier-1 global banks. He is adept at architecting robust data quality risk control frameworks that balance innovation with stringent regulatory compliance.
1
Strategic Visionary
Translates complex trends in AI and data into actionable, future-proof risk management strategies.
2
Operational Excellence
Drives the implementation of enterprise-grade risk controls and data governance initiatives.
3
Global Leadership
Proven track record leading high-performing teams across diverse international financial markets.
Signature Work
Portfolio Highlights
High-Impact Initiatives & Transformations
01
Citi—Accelerated Data risk reduction to meet regulatory milestones
Led enterprise data risk reduction initiatives to accelerate regulatory compliance milestones across multiple business units.
02
Wells Fargo—Deployed cloud platform to enable AI/ML capabilities
Developed a strategy and secured funding to deploy a cloud infrastructure platform enabling enterprise AI/ML capabilities with robust risk governance (despite COVID 19 constraints).
03
Bank of America - Certified all data regulatory exams for Operational Risk data
Established comprehensive data governance and operational risk data controls, achieving zero findings across all regulatory examinations.
Signature Wins
$400MM+
Cost Avoidance & Savings
25 +
Years of Technology & Risk Leadership
up to $6B
Risk Portfolio Managed
100+/35K
Global Staff
(Dir. Lead / Impacted)
70MM+
Customers Serviced
Citi -(Retail Channels)
95%
Adoption Rates Achieved
80%
Accelerated Gap Remediation
300%
AI/Data-Related Control Productivity Gains
My Transformation Journey
Career Transformation Experiences
(Organizational Process Maturity - Digital - Compliance - Data - Risk - AI Governance)
Core Competencies
Education, Experience, and Credentials
Technology, Data, Risk & Governance
- 20+ years architecting and leading enterprise-wide risk governance frameworks across AI, data, and technology domains.
- Expertise spans model risk management, data quality and lineage, cloud infrastructure risk, cybersecurity governance, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven ability to translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into actionable risk strategies that enable innovation while maintaining enterprise-grade controls.
Thought Leadership
Publications, Speaking & Industry Influence
Publications & Research
Gowen, James L. Jr. (2023). An Exploratory Study of Loss Event Frequency Approaches Using the Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) Model in Non-Financial Risk Areas. Capitol Technology University. ProQuest )
Publications & Thought Leadership
Gowen, Jr., J. L. (2026). Building Scalable Data Pipelines for AI Enablement: The Opportunity Cost of Speed at the Value of Trust. Intelligent Automation (IA) Forum Advisory Magazine, 1(1), 2. Also, serving on the IA Forum's Editorial's Advisory Board Committee for IA Forum Magazine, 2026, https://theiaforum.com/IAFORUMMagazine.
Panel Speaker
Panel speaker at IA FORUM Virtual Event: February 20 (2026), panelist at the PANEL DISCUSSION: DATA ENGINEERING SYSTEMS TO DRIVE ENTERPRISE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OPTIMIZATION & ENHANCED BUSINESS OUTCOMES
Topic: Building scalable data pipelines that enable Al, analytics, and automation across the enterprise
Other Panelists: Kohler, Google, Salesforce
Industry Expert Panel and Thought Leadership
- Expert Panel, Forbes Technology Council Contributor 2025-2026 - (Innovation)
- Expert Panel, Forbes Technology Council 2026 - (Synthetic Data Risk Modeling)
- Enterprise Risk Quantification Institute Contributor 2026
- Intelligent Automation (IA) Forum Advisory 2025-2026
Mentorship
Served as a mentor to enhance data skills for underrepresented communities and professionals in data science through Correlation One's Data Science-4-All (DS4A) cohort-based training program.
Shaping the Future of Responsible AI in Banking
Thought leadership in AI, data, and technology risk elevates credibility beyond the institution—positioning this executive as a defining voice in how the financial services industry navigates the AI era safely and sustainably.
About Me
Executive Contact Information
Portfolio and Additional Information:
For additional information and content, please reach out to contact me.
A Trusted Voice at the Intersection of AI, Data & Risk
A transformational executive who bridges the gap between advanced AI/data capabilities and robust risk governance—enabling financial institutions to innovate boldly without compromising safety, soundness, or regulatory standing.
Practical Philosophy
Romans 14:19—Cross-Functional Servant Leadership
"You will only be remembered for two things: the problems you solve or the ones you create." — Dr. Mike Murdock