XI Breakfast Conference

Junot currently leads the Broader Assurance Services (BAS) practice at PwC Dominican Republic and serves as Partner in risk, internal audit and internal control services, with more than 20 years of professional experience in various sectors, including the financial sector.

Throughout his career, he has headed numerous projects related to the design and implementation of risk management frameworks based on standards such as COSO and ISO 31000. He has led audits of operational, financial and business processes with a COSO-centered approach, and has managed diagnostic and assessment projects of the internal control system for financial institutions. In addition, Junot has led internal audit transformation initiatives, including the structuring of audit committees and internal audit functions, as well as quality reviews of the internal audit function under IIA standards. He has also carried out projects to adapt the internal control system under Sarbanes-Oxley – SOX 404 for subsidiary companies registered with the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). His experience covers both the national and international fields, working in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Junot holds a Master’s in Finance and Banking Risk, is a Certified ISO 31000 Lead Risk Manager (PECB) and Certified Internal Control (IIA / COSO). He is an active member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Yuderka Chong Franco is Second Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) at APAP, with more than two decades of experience leading strategic planning, corporate finance, profitability, budgeting and business transformation. She currently directs the processes of financial planning, projections, performance management, profitability and evaluation of strategic initiatives, providing the analytical support for decision-making by Senior Management and corporate governance.

Throughout her career she has built a successful track record in the financial, trust and international development cooperation sectors, holding leadership positions at APAP, Grupo Financiero León, Titularizadora Dominicana (TIDOM) and programs funded by international organizations. Her main achievements include leading financial and strategic transformation processes, implementing advanced models of planning and profitability management, and strengthening analytical and value-creation capabilities at the organizations where she has worked. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from PUCMM, a Postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance, a Master’s in Senior Management (INTEC), a Master’s in International Development and Sustainable Economics from Michigan State University as a Fulbright-Humphrey fellow, and an Executive MBA from Barna Business School and IESE Business School.

Melvin Felipe Deschamps is a finance, strategic planning and corporate administration executive with more than 25 years of experience in the financial and business sector. Throughout his career he has held leadership positions at financial institutions and companies in the commercial sector, taking an active part in strategic planning, organizational development and strengthening corporate management.

His experience spans banks, brokerage firms and companies linked to securities market infrastructure, where he has contributed to the design and execution of strategies aimed at sustainable growth, operational efficiency and value creation for stakeholders. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance at Banco Santa Cruz. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Inversiones Santa Cruz and of the Board of CENAPEC, where he contributes his experience in corporate governance, planning and financial management.

Bismark Rodríguez is a professional with 28 years of experience in the financial services sector, specialized in the convergence of capital optimization, operational efficiency and risk-adjusted profitability, central pillars for building financial resilience at institutions in the region.

His experience is concentrated on the key levers that connect efficiency with sustainable profitability: capital adequacy and optimization under the Basel II and III frameworks, Cost Control and Operational Efficiency, Financial Planning and Projections, and Financial Risk Modeling (IFRS 9, Basel). He combines this approach with a solid track record in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Corporate Governance and the transformation of the Finance, Treasury and Control functions.

In recent years he has led projects implementing risk monitoring systems through indicators, credit rating systems (design, validation and calibration), market and liquidity risk monitoring engines, as well as stress testing and scenario analysis — fundamental tools for linking risk management with value generation and sustainable profitability (RAROC logic).

He is a recognized speaker at congresses and academic events in Latin America and collaborates with Boards of Directors, the IIA, FELABAN and other sector associations. His experience also covers Regulation and Compliance (FATCA, CRS, AML, Beneficial Owner), Internal Audit, SOX 404 and the prevention of financial crime.

Leonidas Rey is a Certified Public Accountant with postgraduate studies in Finance and more than 25 years of experience in financial planning, risk management, control, audit and consulting for leading organizations in the financial and services sectors in Latin America. His career has allowed him to develop solid experience in financial analysis, profitability, risk management and strengthening strategic decision-making.

He is a specialist in banking and insurance, with broad experience in designing and implementing methodologies for measuring and managing financial and non-financial risks, capital optimization, asset and liability management (ALM), financial simulations, cost and profitability management, as well as in corporate governance and risk-based internal audit projects.

He previously led the Financial Services Risk practice for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic at a global consulting firm, responsible for strategic projects focused on financial resilience, operational efficiency, resource optimization and strengthening management and control models. He currently serves as Regional Director of Financial Risk Management & Analytics at PwC Interaméricas, where he advises financial institutions and organizations in various sectors on generating value by integrating risk management, advanced analytics and financial planning.