Sam Samod

Background

About Sam Samod

If you had asked my younger self,"What do you want to be when you grow up?" you would have received a different answer on any given day. My go-to response was jokingly a "superhero" or something clever. The truth is, I didn't have any idea how to answer that question, even when I began my university education. I signed up for an interior design program and graduated in information systems and finance."Not all who wander are lost." As a partner at PwC Canada, I've arrived at my dream job, though the path was a whirlwind. I grew up in the U.S. and ultimately chose a career in Canada that cycled me through New York, Bangkok, and other parts of the world. Happily, change no longer signals indecision for me but is a positive choice that comes naturally. With a love of learning and problem-solving, I thrive when there is variety—in people, projects, and locations. When I joined PwC in 2015, I was excited to be a part of the financial crime practice, which felt very entrepreneurial and showed the power of collaboration in a promising new field. It was thrilling to draw from teammates across the globe to build a leading business from the ground up. Fascinated by the reach of the PwC network, I jumped on an opportunity to work next in Southeast Asia. I returned to Canada two years later to lead the financial crime technology practice. Delivering AML transformation programs at all of the "Big Five" Canadian banks is my source of pride. Large transformation, data analytics, and strategic alliances were integral to this work. Though, we must remind ourselves that financial crime is ever-changing. On the horizon, real-time banking systems will fundamentally change how we operate. Live-streamed data will replace batch processing. Graph databases will augment relational limitations. AML and fraud will converge for instant onboarding, and AI will solve operational burdens. The future is exciting as we come together to tackle new and more complex challenges. In my role, having critical conversations with clients to understand their issues and pain points is gratifying. I can bring the broad skills and talents of the entire PwC network into play. Whether pinpointing a consumer misdeed or targeting a criminal act, we transform large volumes of data into actionable insights. Each of my team members brings their unique perspectives and approaches. My team will be my legacy as we bond through our curiosity and desire to innovate. Change is indeed constant. The disparate twists and turns of my life and career are the elements of the human being I am today.