Sharon Higgins
Middletown
Summary
Accomplished leader with extensive experience at Citigroup, Inc., specializing in third-party risk management and operational resilience. Expert in developing risk and controls frameworks, achieving significant cost reductions, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Successfully managed compliance for 3,000+ suppliers, ensuring regulatory adherence and strategic planning excellence.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Technology Third-Party Risk & Controls
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
07.2024 - Current
- Lead enterprise third-party risk governance across Technology.
- Onboard and implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) supplier relationships, developing AI-specific risk and control frameworks.
- Design and implement controls addressing data privacy, model governance, explainability, and operational resilience.
- Oversee 70,000+ controls annually supporting 3,000+ suppliers and $2B+ spend.
- Managed compliance processes to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
Senior Vice President – Services, Markets & Banking Operations and Technology Institutional Clients Group (ICG)
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed a team of 26 overseeing third-party risk across TTS, Markets, and Technology.
- Supported 2,300+ supplier relationships.
- Delivered 10+ enterprise initiatives annually in compliance with Third-Party Management Policy.
- Acted as senior escalation point for complex vendor and control issues.
- Managed risk assessment processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Senior Vice President – Supplier Governance, Third-Party Management Treasury & Trade Solutions (TTS)
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Led a team of 10 Third-Party Officers governing 1,000+ supplier relationships.
- Facilitated supplier contracts, governance forums, and regulatory reviews.
- Built and scaled a remote supplier governance model supporting operational resilience.
Senior Vice President – Third-Party Lead & Controls Officer Operations & TTS Controls
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Oversaw 200+ vendors supporting North America Operations.
- Served as Controls Officer for Prepaid and Commercial Cards portfolios.
- Supported 20+ regulatory exams and audits.
Vice President – Global Operations Readiness / User Acceptance Testing
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2004 - 01.2010
- Led 80+ global resources delivering 7–10 product tracks and 30+ initiatives annually.
- Implemented vendor governance and productivity standards.
- Achieved $600M annual cost reduction through efficiency and optimization.
North America Escalation Coordinator & Project Lead – Client Investigations
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2003 - 01.2004
Project Lead, Senior Specialist – Disbursement Operations
CITIGROUP, INC.
New Castle
01.2001 - 01.2003
Education
MBA - Executive Leadership
Wesley College
Certificate - Systems Analysis & Project Management
University of Delaware
BA - International Relations
University of Delaware
Skills
- Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic planning
- Risk & Controls Frameworks
- Regulatory Engagement & Exams
- Operational Resilience
- Vendor & Supplier Governance
- Audit & Issue Management
- Policy Execution & Control Testing
Websites
Professional Leadership And Recognition
- Member, Women’s Leadership Council; Black Heritage Network; NY & Delaware Pride Councils
- Co-Chair, Citigroup Delaware Women’s Council (2015)
- Participant & Mentor, Citigroup Developing Talent Program
Additional Banking Experience
- Citi, Cash Management Customer Service, 5 years
- Advanta National Bank, Credit Card Customer Service & Retention, 2 years
- First USA Bank, Credit Card Customer Service, 2 years
Timeline
Director, Technology Third-Party Risk & Controls
CITIGROUP, INC.
07.2024 - Current
Senior Vice President – Services, Markets & Banking Operations and Technology Institutional Clients Group (ICG)
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2022 - 01.2024
Senior Vice President – Supplier Governance, Third-Party Management Treasury & Trade Solutions (TTS)
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2015 - 01.2021
Senior Vice President – Third-Party Lead & Controls Officer Operations & TTS Controls
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2010 - 01.2015
Vice President – Global Operations Readiness / User Acceptance Testing
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2004 - 01.2010
North America Escalation Coordinator & Project Lead – Client Investigations
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2003 - 01.2004
Project Lead, Senior Specialist – Disbursement Operations
CITIGROUP, INC.
01.2001 - 01.2003
MBA - Executive Leadership
Wesley College
Certificate - Systems Analysis & Project Management
University of Delaware
BA - International Relations
University of Delaware