Don’t Get Scammed! How to Vet Risk Management Consulting Firms

Speak In Flow

Kevin D. Oden, CEO of Kevin D. Oden & Associates and former head of operational risk at Wells Fargo, knows the high-stakes world of financial compliance isn’t for the faint of heart. In this episode of the Speak In Flow podcast with Melinda Lee, he reveals how to spot hollow expertise, why "big name" consultants often fail smaller institutions, and the uncomfortable truths leaders must confront to protect their organizations.

Learn why honesty, not optics, is the ultimate risk management strategy.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The Consultant Trap

"If your consultant hasn’t carried the burden of compliance themselves, they can’t guide you through it."

How "big name" firms lure clients with senior partners, then delegate critical work to junior teams lacking real-world regulatory experience.

The Toughest Conversation

Why Kevin insists on documenting every regulatory gap... even when clients beg him to omit them.

"I keep a copy of every recommendation. If regulators audit my work, I won’t be the reason a client fails."

Leading by Example (Even on Bad Days)

How a toxic former boss taught Kevin the cost of poor leadership: "He berated teams daily and was fired within a year."

🌟Golden rule: "There should be no surprises at work. Communicate openly, even when it’s hard."

The Local Reality of Global Rules

Why regulations are universal, but enforcement is hyper-local, and how to prepare for examiner biases.

"Assume every examiner will interpret rules differently. Over-prepare, but don’t overcorrect."

Connect with Kevin D. Oden

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-oden-3b8a39a/

Website: kdoa.com

About the Guest:

Kevin D. Oden is a rare hybrid of mathematician, risk whisperer, and hands-on regulator, a leader who’s as comfortable dissecting complex models as he is navigating boardroom battles. As CEO of Kevin D. Oden & Associates, he helps financial institutions untangle high-stakes compliance crises, drawing on decades of experience as Wells Fargo’s Head of Operational Risk and Compliance and architect of their model risk management framework.

Fun Facts:

• 🎾 From Courts to Calculus: Swapped tennis tournaments for differential equations, but still brings a competitor’s edge to risk management.
• 🚀 Rocket Scientist Turned Regulator: Proves analytical rigor applies equally to astrophysics and audit trails.
• 📚 Professor at Heart: Taught math at Harvard, now “educates” clients on regulatory loopholes with far higher stakes.

About Melinda:

Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.

She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.

Website: https://speakinflow.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall

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