Navigating Risk: Sasha Arkhangelska's Journey to Excellence in Enterprise Risk Management

Ms. Arkhangelska is Associate Director, Global Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM), for the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in New York, NY, where she resides. UBS is a global firm providing financial services in more than 50 countries. She is also a Risk Management adjunct lecturer at GSRM. 

What are a few of your major job responsibilities? 

At UBS, the second Line of Defense (2LoD) in TPRM plays a critical role in establishing a structured and comprehensive approach to managing third-party risks. My team is responsible for overseeing the TPRM framework, associated policies, and procedures; assessing risks; monitoring performance; and ensuring compliance—all aimed at safeguarding the organization from potential threats posed by its third-party relationships.  

My responsibilities include evaluating the indicators and challenges in the TPRM framework and associated policies and procedures, compliance, regulatory alignment, and risk appetite assessment process; conducting risk reviews and deep dives; continuous improvement of the TPRM framework based on lessons learned, industry best practices, and changes in the organization’s risk landscape; monitoring and reporting, including setting up data-driven, automated monitoring solutions (e.g., metrics and dashboards); tracking key performance indicators; and generating reports for senior management and relevant stakeholders. 

As a risk management lecturer at St. John’s University, my primary goal is to shape the next generation of risk management professionals by imparting knowledge and practical skills that are necessary for effectively managing risk in various industries.  

How did your St. John’s education help you prepare for a career in risk management? 

Overall, St. John’s University played a critical role in my professional development. The Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management program gave me valuable skills and knowledge that are crucial for success and growth in my career and current employment. For example,  

• It enhanced my decision-making abilities by equipping me with tools and strategies to assess and mitigate risks, enabling me to make informed decisions in my job.  
• It improved my problem-solving skill set by sharpening my problem-solving abilities, where I learned to identify potential issues and develop solutions to address these effectively. 
• It helped to set up my financial acumen by understanding risk that allowed me to manage resources more efficiently, ensuring my firm’s financial stability and success.
• It provided me with skills in the compliance and regulation environment, where I gained knowledge about industry-specific regulations to help reduce the risk of noncompliance and legal issues in my workplace.
• Very, very importantly, it set my competitive advantage. Risk management skills set me apart in the job market, making me a valuable asset to employers in various industries. 

What attracted you to St. John's for this degree and the GSRM program? Did you always want to work in this industry?

I developed my interest in the Master of Science degree in Enterprise Risk Management in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. There were so many things that could be done in this space, allowing people to devise innovative solutions and tackle problems. I was driven to pursue careers in risk management as a means of contributing to financial stability, safeguarding investments, and making the global economy more resilient to future shocks.  

St. John’s was recommended to me by a friend and alumnus who is a highly accomplished professional in the risk management field.  

Were there any other major factors that drew you to pursuing your graduate degree at St. John’s? 

My decision to attend St. John’s was primarily driven by my relocation from Germany to New York City. Even though I already had extensive work experience in logistics and finance, it was an opportunity for me to change my career trajectory and pursue my desire to become a risk management professional.  

I started to explore different risk management-related degree options at St. John’s, and Enterprise Risk Management was the best fit as it equips students with the comprehensive skill set and knowledge that are in demand across many industries, providing a competitive advantage and diverse career opportunities in risk management, compliance, insurance, and finance. Also, St. John’s was the only university in New York that provided an accredited degree in enterprise risk management—and to this day, the program is best in class. 

Did St. John’s large network of alumni connections help you move forward with your career? If true, can you share a few experiences?  

I am in contact with numerous St. John’s alumni and many of those are close friends. We support each other in a wide variety of ways on professional and personal levels. Examples of these interactions can be discussion around risk management-related topics and exploration of new career opportunities. It also can be a simple conversation and mental support, as well as taking part in family events. 

I am also on the GSRM Alumni Board of Directors. This role helps me to stay close to the University and gives me an opportunity to support and give back. 

Did you intern during your time at the GSRM program? Can you share examples and how they benefited you?

Yes, I was a graduate intern in PepsiCo’s Treasury Department with its Risk Management team. That was an exceptional experience. During this time, I had the opportunity to meet PepsiCo’s senior leadership, including then Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi. I was able to learn from and work with highly skilled risk management professionals. 

How did interactions with CEOs and industry leaders in the GSRM program impact your education and career?

I had an opportunity to meet the rock stars from the risk management field and witness what success looks like. These interactions were very inspiring and taught me to be willing to take chances.  

What would you say to someone who is considering a degree from the Greenberg School of Risk Management?  

Absolutely, go for it! A degree in risk management empowers you to navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions in our unpredictable world. It’s a field where you can elevate your analytical skills that eventually can protect businesses and communities from potential harm. You will be able to embrace the challenges and become a guardian of stability and progress. GSRM provides you with the best tools to accomplish this. 

Is there anything that you liked best about your experience at St. John’s?  

The most important part of being at St. John’s were the people, the faculty, and the students, who all contributed to my success. 

Did St. John’s provide you with financial assistance to help you pursue your degree? 

Yes, I was a recipient of several scholarships. If I didn’t receive them, I would still pursue my education at St. John’s. However, living in New York City is very expensive. Without this financial assistance, it would have put my family and myself in a big financial scramble. 

Learn more about what makes St. John’s University’s Enterprise Risk Management program unique.