Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Summary of Experience
Professional Strengths & Leadership Philosophy
Generic

Pamela Burns

Lombard

Summary

Senior executive leader with track record of driving strategic initiatives and delivering impactful results. Adept at fostering team collaboration and navigating complex organizational challenges. Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, and operations oversight. Valued for reliability, adaptability, and results-oriented approach.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Vice President, Control/Audit/Risk, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2022 - Current
  • As Senior Vice President overseeing Control, Audit, and Risk for Global Fund Services at Northern Trust, Pamela leads critical initiatives aimed at strengthening resiliency risk assessment and addressing operational vulnerabilities. Her primary responsibilities include delivering key oversight functions, setting strategic priorities for operational preparedness, and ensuring the business remains compliant within a highly dynamic regulatory environment.
  • Currently, Pamela is executing a comprehensive strategic plan designed to meet stringent deliverables while providing Audit and Control support to the organization. She serves as the Business Continuity owner for Global Fund Services (GFS) Client Servicing, bearing responsibility for drafting, reviewing, and testing continuity plans to ensure business resilience. Pamela’s collaborative approach includes working closely with Risk partners to review associated risks, validate the adequacy of controls, and oversee the integrity of the testing process.
  • Her role is marked by a proactive focus on improvement and monitoring, keeping the organization well-aligned with evolving compliance standards and regulatory requirements. Pamela’s leadership has contributed to the development of robust risk mitigation frameworks that not only protect the business but also foster a culture of preparedness and adaptability.

Senior Vice President, Client Executive, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2020 - 01.2022
  • In her capacity as Senior Vice President and Client Executive, Pamela was responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, managing quarterly board reporting, and conducting complex fee negotiations. Her leadership extended to providing overall relationship management and setting strategic goals for client engagements, with a consistent focus on ensuring superior client satisfaction.
  • A key participant in regulatory forums, Pamela ensured that client accounts and services were fully compliant with all relevant regulations and internal policies. She provided tailored, advice-driven solutions that reinforced trust and solidified long-term client relationships. Her ability to merge strategic insight with operational execution resulted in meaningful business outcomes and enhanced the firm’s reputation for quality service.

Senior Vice President, North America Head of Control, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2020
  • As the North America Head of Control for Global Fund Services, Pamela was charged with continually assessing and improving the control environment for both current and future state practices. She partnered with business units to drive quality improvements, ensuring procedural rigor and consistency across all operations.
  • Her oversight brought comfort and assurance to Senior Management, as she drove organizational change and advocated for the adoption of best practices. Pamela developed a comprehensive approach for the Control team, providing operational business units with procedural reviews, testing initiatives, incident reporting and remediation strategies, business continuity planning, and Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) support.
  • A highlight of her tenure was the successful creation and execution of a three-year strategic plan, culminating in ten major Control deliverables designed to support and enhance business unit performance. Pamela’s work contributed significantly to a stronger, more resilient framework for operational risk management.

Vice President, Relationship Manager, Global Family & Private Investment Office

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2016
  • In this role, Pamela managed overall client satisfaction by directing and coordinating the efforts of diverse bank resources. Her focus was on ensuring timely delivery of high-quality service, resolving issues efficiently, and effectively communicating client needs to the appropriate teams.
  • Pamela added value by proactively solving existing problems, anticipating potential issues, and initiating preventative measures. Her client-centric approach helped cement long-term relationships and contributed to the sustained success and stability of the clients and the institution alike.

Accounting Analyst / Account Manager / Relationship Manager, Corporate & Institutional Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.1996 - 01.2011
  • Over the course of 15 years, Pamela held a variety of roles at Northern Trust within Corporate and Institutional Services. She served corporate client relationships in multifaceted capacities, contributing to the successful management of accounts and supporting the diverse needs of institutional clients. Her adaptability and deep industry knowledge allowed her to consistently deliver outstanding results, regardless of the complexity or scope of each role.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Accounting

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio

Skills

  • Comprehensive financial services experience
  • Ability to balance and manage a broad workload without sacrificing client or stakeholder satisfaction
  • Strong analytical acumen, with proven decision making and problem-solving skills
  • Experience within the control, risk and compliance space
  • 22 years of client servicing experience, upholding excellence and consistency
  • Strategic leadership and operational excellence
  • Ability to identify and implement process improvements
  • Cross-functional collaborator

Accomplishments

  • Used Power BI to create relevant reporting for executive management.
  • Supervised a Control team of 6, while creating and implementing a strategic plan to serve the Global Fund Services operational business.
  • Completed the COSO - Internal Control course in February 2025

Certification

COSO- Internal Control course completed February 2025

Timeline

Senior Vice President, Control/Audit/Risk, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2022 - Current

Senior Vice President, Client Executive, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2020 - 01.2022

Senior Vice President, North America Head of Control, Global Fund Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2020

Vice President, Relationship Manager, Global Family & Private Investment Office

Northern Trust Corporation
01.2011 - 01.2016

Accounting Analyst / Account Manager / Relationship Manager, Corporate & Institutional Services

Northern Trust Corporation
01.1996 - 01.2011

Bachelor of Arts - Accounting

Cleveland State University

Summary of Experience

  • 28 years of financial services experience, providing Pamela with a well-rounded perspective and a wealth of knowledge on industry best practices.
  • 4 years of direct auditing experience, underscoring her attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
  • 22 years of client servicing experience, reflecting her dedication to relationship management and satisfaction.
  • Proven track record in strategic planning, risk management, control environment oversight, and business continuity planning.
  • Strong history of supporting business units through procedural reviews, incident remediation, and regulatory alignment initiatives.

Professional Strengths & Leadership Philosophy

  • Pamela’s leadership style is characterized by her strategic outlook and her unwavering commitment to both operational excellence and client advocacy. Her extensive background in financial services is matched by her passion for developing practical solutions and her ability to inspire teams to achieve ambitious goals. Whether driving process improvements, navigating regulatory complexities, or building resilient risk management structures, Pamela’s approach is both pragmatic and visionary.
  • She believes in fostering collaboration across departments and disciplines, recognizing that the best solutions are achieved through partnership and shared expertise. Her experience with business continuity, audit, and risk control positions her as an asset to any organization seeking to strengthen its core operations and client relationships.

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