FinTech Female Fridays: Meet D'aundra Lewis

Some careers follow a straight line. D'aundra Lewis has been built by intentionally crossing disciplines, from national security investigations to global financial compliance, and now toward the future of fintech.

"My career began in federal investigations, where I held a Top-Secret clearance and conducted national security clearance adjudications,". Working with agencies including the DIA, DHS, and DCSA gave her deep expertise in risk assessment, financial exposure analysis, and regulatory compliance. She later spent nearly four years at Goldman Sachs leading risk strategy and compliance across 21 global divisions under FINRA, SEC, and CFTC frameworks, where she also gained hands-on experience using AI and machine learning to strengthen compliance workflows. "While my career was built in financial services, I am transitioning into fintech because I want to be where compliance and technology are being built together from the start, not retrofitted."

Today, D'aundra volunteers as a Compliance & Strategy Consultant with the Urban League of Hudson County, a civil rights organization dedicated to advancing economic self-reliance and equity in underserved communities. She provides strategic guidance on governance standards, corporate sponsorship strategy, and compliance framework development while leveraging AI to strengthen operational infrastructure. "What makes this work distinctive is applying the same frameworks I used at Goldman Sachs in a community context, proving governance innovation belongs in every sector." For D'aundra, the organization's mission-first culture reinforces that "sound governance and ethical risk management are most powerful when applied in service of people."

Her work has already left a mark on the evolution of compliance. At Goldman Sachs, she helped lead compliance and risk strategy across 21 global divisions and reduced false positives in sanctions screening by more than 40% using machine learning. "I was an early practitioner of machine learning in compliance workflows," she explains, combining her background in federal investigations with financial crimes, sanctions, and cross-border risk management. Through her work with the Urban League, she continues demonstrating how governance frameworks and fintech tools can expand financial access for historically underserved communities.

"My goal is to be a part of the growth of next-generation compliance infrastructure that is smarter, fairer, and built to serve everyone."

What distinguishes D'aundra is her ability to bridge worlds that rarely intersect. "I challenge myself by working at the intersection of disciplines that rarely talk to each other, from federal investigations to financial services compliance to nonprofit governance." She credits her success to balancing technical expertise with relationship building. "What sets me apart is being equally analytical and social, which allows me to lead with data and connect with people in any room." Her advice for women building careers in fintech is simple:

"Never let any industry put you in a box. Lean into opportunities that stretch you... and do not be afraid to pivot."

Looking ahead, D'aundra is energized by the rapid evolution of AI governance. "What excites me most right now is the emergence of AI governance as its own critical discipline within fintech." As regulators increase scrutiny of algorithmic decision-making, she believes the convergence of AI and RegTech will create enormous opportunities for professionals who understand both technology and compliance. She is equally excited about embedded finance and its potential to expand access to financial services. "Institutions that can prove their AI systems are auditable, unbiased, and fair will earn both regulatory and consumer trust."

Much of D'aundra's perspective traces back to advice from her mentor, Adeola Brown, before she left Newark to attend Penn State. He reminded her that earning the opportunity to attend a world-class university came with the responsibility to return and uplift the community that shaped her. "That charge reframed my ambition from personal achievement to communal obligation," she reflects. Today, she encourages other women in fintech to remember that "your community... is the source of your most original thinking, your deepest motivation, and ultimately your most lasting impact."

When reflecting on the best career decision she's made, D'aundra points to joining Goldman Sachs. The experience exposed her to world-class leaders, accelerated her growth, and helped her discover strengths she didn't know she possessed. She is especially grateful for the female executive who became her mentor and continues to challenge her to grow. "That experience has elevated my leadership and is fueling my next chapter."

More about D’aundra

Where you currently live: New York

Hometown: Newark, NJ

Favorite hobby: Hiking

Favorite show to binge: Right now The Flash or Emily in Paris

Can you tell us about a time someone encouraged you to try a task or take on a project you didn’t think that you would know how to do/or be good at? 

Two women at my church, a financial services partner and an education administrator, knew my professional background and tapped me on the shoulder to lead our very first Singles Ministry Retreat last year. Since a Singles Retreat had never been approved before, I had to write a proposal from scratch. I also had to build enough trust with church leadership to convince them the investment was worth making. Then I had to execute the entire retreat from the ground up. They did not choose me because I had a history of organizing retreats but because they had seen me lead church initiatives, think quickly on my feet, and drive execution in any arena I step into. Not only did the retreat succeed, but it created an expectation that one will happen annually going forward.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from a mistake you’ve made in the past? 

Early in my career, I found myself advising senior leaders while consistently being the youngest person in the room. The mistake that taught me the most was quietly questioning whether I belonged there. That self-doubt was the only real barrier between me and the contribution I could make. I had to learn quickly what executive presence looked like and then build it intentionally. The quality of my work was always there, but the quality of my influence is what shifted once I stopped questioning my place. Now I walk into every room knowing my perspective is not just welcome but necessary.

Do you have any productivity hacks?  What keeps you motivated? How do you maintain a work/life balance? 

My biggest productivity discipline is ruthless prioritization by impact, identifying the three things each week that would move the needle most. I then protect them from calendar creep and scope drift. What keeps me motivated above everything else is my community and the knowledge that this work connects to something far bigger than any single job title. For balance, I am very big on all things self-care. Between my relationships and practicing stillness, it restores me. I love a great movie, hike, SPA day, and food coupled with laughs.

Daily Diary 

Honestly, no two days look the same for me, and I have made peace with that. Prayer and devotion are how I start every morning, because that foundation is what makes everything else possible regardless of what the day brings. From there I move into wherever I am needed most, whether that is advancing my consulting work with the Urban League, networking and building meaningful relationships, or staying current on what is happening in the industry. I protect my priorities rather than my schedule, making sure the three things that matter most get done no matter how the day shifts. My community is woven throughout everything, not saved for after hours, because it is not separate from my work but the reason behind it. I close every day with reflection, not to grade the day but to make sure tomorrow is set up with intention.