Speakers

Ken Schroeder

SVP - Commercial Mortgage Group, KeyBank Real Estate Capital

Satya Pandey

CTO - Investment Banking, William Blair

Doug Bowers

Senior Advisor – Banking, Acuity Knowledge Partners

Jon O’Donnell

COO - Acuity Knowledge Partners

Rajul Sood

Managing Director - Head of Banking, Acuity Knowledge Partners

About the Event

As the banking industry stands at the cusp of an AI-driven revolution, only a handful of institutions are truly prepared to capitalize on this transformative opportunity. AI readiness is not just about investing in platforms and toolchains; it involves investments in deploying and implementing technology. To drive AI adoption, banks need to establish a comprehensive data quality & governance framework and ensure robust data security and privacy measures. Banks also have to deal with ambiguity around regulations concerning the use of AI while complying with existing laws.

Join us for a wonderful warm evening of focused discussions and networking as we explore how banks can more seamlessly embrace AI and drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and achieve sustainable growth. Acuity Knowledge Partners is delighted to bring together a panel of industry experts to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for banks and how they can accelerate AI adoption within their organisations.

Schedule at a glance:

  • 15:45 – 16:15 – Registration (with Coffee & Tea service)
  • 16:15 – 16:30 – Welcome Keynote
  • 16:30 – 17:00 – The Acuity story for banks
  • 17:00 – 18:00 – Panel Discussion on “AI readiness for banks”
    • 1. Orchestrating data transformation and AI adoption in your bank
    • 2. Develop an enterprise strategy for implementing AI across the organization for better business outcomes
    • 3. Discuss the regulatory challenges around AI adoption and best practices to comply with policies across geographies – data security and privacy
    • 4. Envisioning the bank of tomorrow
    • 5. Q & A
  • 18:00 – 19:00 – Networking reception (cocktails and canapés)

Register for this event

Speaker Profiles

Ken Schroeder

SVP - Commercial Mortgage Group, KeyBank Real Estate Capital

Ken Schroeder is SVP, responsible for operational effectiveness for the
Commercial Mortgage Group. He is responsible for researching, recommending, and implementing enhancements to business processes and systems through a deep understanding of business functions and strategic goals. Major initiatives that he has handled include implementing an offshore sourcing strategy and deploying a comprehensive technology solution that supports the Origination and Underwriting functions. In 2008, he was awarded with Key’s prestigious Chairman Award for his innovation through the use of technology and dedication to customer service. Prior to joining KeyBank, Ken managed software development for the Real Estate Investments department of Travelers Group in Hartford, CT. He holds degrees in Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration.

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Satya Pandey

CTO - Investment Banking, William Blair

Satya is a technology executive specializing in data, AI, and software engineering. With extensive experience in innovation and strategic technology implementation, Satya has successfully led transformative AI initiatives within the financial services industry. He excels in building high-performing, outcome-driven teams and brings a robust background in software engineering and applied artificial intelligence, driving innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and strategic advantage. Satya holds a master’s degree in Applied AI & Data Science from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree in engineering from NIT Calicut, India. He is dedicated to advancing the integration of AI technologies within capital markets.

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Doug Bowers

Senior Advisor – Banking, Acuity Knowledge Partners

Doug Bowers currently serves as Senior Advisor to Banking clients at Acuity Knowledge Partners, with a primary focus on North American based Banks. Prior to this role, Doug served as President and CEO of Banc of California from 2017 to 2019, where he strategically repositioned the bank, transformed its leadership team, recast its balance sheet, and upgraded its regulatory and legal standing, resulting in a much-improved financial outlook and competitive stance.

Previously, Doug had been President and CEO of Square 1 Bank, where he led the bank’s considerable turnaround, resulting in an IPO and later a sale of the bank at among the highest valuations attained in the banking industry in the last 15 years. For nearly 30 years, Bowers worked at Bank of America (BAC), where he led a series of wholesale banking businesses, including middle-market banking, large corporate banking, leasing, trade finance, and foreign exchange.

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Jon O’Donnell

COO - Acuity Knowledge Partners

Jon is a proven business leader passionate about applying technology to business practices. At IBM, he led the Business & Technology Consulting and Cloud Consulting divisions, achieving significant market growth. He was also part of IBM Consulting’s Global Leadership Team, holding key positions in the UK, EMEA, and North America.

Jon has launched and led business units focused on AI and cloud platforms, driving market growth and innovation. He is known for his commercial acumen, client service passion, and positive leadership style. Jon holds a degree in mathematics and operational research from Southampton University and is CIMA-qualified.

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Rajul Sood

Managing Director - Head of Banking, Acuity Knowledge Partners

As the Head of Banking, all business units in the Banking Group will report to her, including Lending Services, Investment Banking and Sell-Side Research & Operations. She has more than two decades of experience, with over 20 years at Acuity.

Rajul also provides oversight to the Costa Rica Delivery Centre, which has over 250 analysts providing on-time zone support to US-based banks and financial institutions. She supports in strategic planning and expansion of the Delivery Centre and integrating it with the global Delivery Centres.

Rajul joined Acuity as an Analyst in 2004, held multiple management positions over the years and worked across multiple service lines including investment banking, fixed income research and financial modelling.

She started the Lending Services vertical 2006 with 40+ staff and 2 lending clients and has grown this 800+ staff and 31 lending clients. This is one of Acuity’s fastest-growing businesses and has significant growth potential.

Rajul is also the co-head of the Women Initiatives Network, Acuity’s oldest and biggest diversity network. She is passionate about this role focused on encouraging women in the workforce especially at the senior levels and has launched several initiatives directed at growth and development of female employees, including the Rise mentorship programme, the Step-Up women returnee programme, Project Velocity for future female leaders and the MoM Project for women going on or returning from maternity leave.

Prior to joining Acuity, she worked as Manager – Corporate Finance at Vardhman Group, one of the largest textile groups in India. She was also a part of the IPO team of one of this group’s companies.

Rajul was awarded the ‘Business Leader of the Year’ in the second edition of the ‘Women Leading Change Awards 2023’.

In her free time, Rajul enjoys Zumba and follows a daily exercise routine. She likes listening to music and is a pet parent.

Rajul holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi and a masters in Finance and Control from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has also attended the Harvard Business School’s Women in Leadership Program.

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