Amy Wotapka: The value of knowledge-sharing and inclusion

ACAMS Today sat down with Amy Wotapka, CAMS, as we celebrate International Women’s Day. Wotapka is the Bank Secrecy Act and Office of Foreign Assets Control (BSA/OFAC) officer at First American Bank. Wotapka’s banking career started in 1982 as a teller, ultimately landing in anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in 2001 at PNC Bank. From there, Wotapka transitioned to Capital One in various management roles.

Over the past 20 years, Wotapka has enjoyed many volunteer positions with ACAMS. Wotapka is a founding member of the ACAMS Richmond Virginia Chapter. Wotapka was also privileged to be a member of the Chapter Steering Committee for ACAMS. In addition to her many years as an ACAMS Today Editorial Committee member, Wotapka has authored dozens of articles for ACAMS Today. She won the ACAMS Today Article of the Year Award in 2010. She has also moderated and presented on multiple webinars for ACAMS and has presented at both the Hollywood and Las Vegas national conferences.

In addition to her extensive volunteer work with ACAMS, Wotapka has taught courses in Economics for Bankers and Macroeconomics at the American Institute of Banking. She has a passion for helping animals and has volunteered with multiple dog rescues.

Wotapka received a Bachelor of Science degree from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Pennsylvania.

ACAMS Today (AT): In an industry focused on protecting the financial system, how do you see “Give to Gain,” this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, contributing to stronger and more effective anti‑financial crime (AFC) outcomes?

Amy Wotapka (AW): When I hear or read “Give to Gain,” my mind immediately goes to knowledge-sharing among peers on AFC compliance and educating the public on frauds, scams and financial crimes. Both information-sharing opportunities will aid in securing better AFC outcomes. Peer knowledge-sharing can help us improve risk-based programs, find more effective tools and processes and, through 314(b), weed financial criminals from our financial institution. Information-sharing with the public creates a more informed consumer and, hopefully, one less prone to falling victim to financial criminals. I authored an article for ACAMS Today back in 2011 titled “Share the Wealth of Knowledge” encouraging AFC professionals to talk about what we see. Technology advances, an aging public and innovative scammers make knowledge-sharing more important today than it was in 2011 to protect the public and our financial system. 

AT: As a woman with more than 20 years in AFC—from investigator to BSA/OFAC officer—what leadership lessons have shaped your career the most?

AW:

• Read and listen.
• Time in chair may get you a promotion, but it doesn’t get you knowledge.
• You must put in the work to reap real benefits. Read regulatory publications to understand the implications and formulate your own thoughts. Don’t just read blog posts to internalize posters’ comments as your own.
• Listen to the greats in our industry, learn where the industry has been and where we are headed.
• Find a mentor or mentors.
• Be proactive. Network. Join industry groups like ACAMS for exposure to other practitioners’ thoughts and practices.
• As Simon Sinek says, “find your why.” Why are you in this industry? Then make your why happen. 

AT: Can you share a moment in your AFC career when inclusion empowered you?

AW: The moment that comes to mind is when ACAMS Today published my first article. So many things happened with that publication. Even though I was a relative newbie to the industry, I felt “heard.” I had a voice. I had a career trajectory. Something that differentiated me from others. Things started happening after that. My BSA officer asked me to ghostwrite for him (I artfully declined), my ties to the ACAMS organization deepened, exposing me to new people who became friends and I transitioned from the newbie to the confident professional I am today. 

AT: What barriers do women still face in areas such as compliance leadership, investigations or threat‑intelligence roles, and what changes would most enhance inclusion across the AFC industry?

AW: This is a loaded question, but I’ll answer it honestly. Look at the stage for conferences and webinars—many of the presenters are white males. It makes sense in a way: The leaders that shaped our industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s would have been white males. Top law enforcement resigning and entering the industry today as experts are usually white males. When you see a female on the dais, it’s usually an examiner, not a practitioner. Or the female is the moderator. The change that is needed is to include females in main conference sessions and not as a “special session dedicated to females in the industry.” My peer groups are filled with females successfully leading AML programs—let’s include their voices and experiences at the lectern. To be fair, today there are a few females paving the way for better inclusion but truly, in the over 40 years I’ve been in banking, the change is incrementally slow, making opportunities to effect positive change like this interview even more valuable. 

AT: How do you use your role to elevate diverse voices and what advice would you offer women entering the AFC field today?

AW: My title is BSA/OFAC officer, but my passion is to develop the next level of AML professionals for my bank and the industry, regardless of gender. I knowledge-share ad nauseum with my team. My efforts include not only growing regulatory and AML program knowledge but also developing soft skills like communication and leadership skills. For the industry, I knowledge-share through articles, presentations and a fledgling peer group I started focusing on economic sanctions. My advice to women entering the field is to envision the future you want and work toward it. While you’ll likely have people rooting for you and you’ll find mentors along the way, you must put in the work. Network, author, speak, pay for association fees out of pocket and study for certifications. Your supporters and mentors can’t do this work for you. To get to the future state you strive for, be the “go to” person today. Don’t turn down any opportunity to learn something new—regardless of the task or effort. Education comes in multiple forms—stay open to every opportunity. But also, don’t ever forget your worth. My mother was from a coal mining town and she had only a fifth-grade education. I was the first (and only) college graduate in my blue-collar family. You are your only limiter. 

AT: Outside of your professional life, what shaped who you are today?

AW: I was in a very serious car accident on March 12, 1981, when I was 16 years old. I will never forget that date. When I look back at the pictures, it’s hard to believe I survived. I carry facial scars and dental work to remind me daily how precious life is. Prior to the accident I was terrified of needles. When I turned 18, I became a regular blood donor. Before the accident I was a typical know-everything teenager. My persona changed after the accident. It truly was the best thing that happened to me.

AT: Was there a special mentor who provided encouragement during your career?

AW: There are two. The first is the person who hired me into my first teller position, Marion Lynaugh. She embodied grace and professionalism and served as the professional I most wanted to emulate. The second is the person who hired me into the AML profession, Jacqueline (Jackie) Santos. She set me on the path to being the AML professional I am today. She shares her knowledge freely, even 25 years later. She encouraged, listened, directed and taught with the perfect balance of humor and professionalism. I am forever grateful to them both for their mentorship and friendship.

Interviewed by: Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS, editor-in-chief, ACAMS, [email protected]

Ben Bahner, CAMS, editor, ACAMS, [email protected]