Judith Watler
Meet Judith Watler
CO-FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL – AML COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY SERVICES
Judith.Watler@canopy.ky | 1 (345) 916-8959
Judith is a seasoned professional with expertise in Regulatory and AML Compliance, as well as Corporate Governance. With over 30 years of experience, Judith has been at the forefront of legislative development in Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Regulatory matters within the Cayman Islands.
Before launching Canopy Consulting, Judith held the position of Director of Compliance and Regulatory Services at Walkers Professional Services, where she was responsible for establishing the firm’s outsourced compliance solutions business line in 2018. During her tenure, she provided critical technical guidance and advice on AML, Countering Terrorism and Proliferation Financing, and Sanction Compliance matters to clients, primarily in the hedge and private equity funds sectors, as well as other sectors, including securities investment businesses. In addition to providing an outsourced solution to clients, Judith was responsible for oversight and mentoring the team of AML Officers, providing technical support and guidance. During the time Judith worked in the private sector, she held senior regional and global compliance and regulation positions at top-tier firms throughout her career which included Group Regional Head of Compliance at another global listed company for several years. While at the listed company, she led complex compliance matters for the Americas region. Prior to joining the private sector, Judith performed regulatory roles over 14 years, the latest being Chief Analyst (Acting) in the Investments & Securities Division at the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.
In 2014, Judith was appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA). She also served as an advisory consultant to the Cayman Islands Government, where she assisted with drafting and updating. AML Regulations and Guidance Notes on the Prevention and Detection of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Proliferation Financing in the Cayman Islands in preparation for the 2017 CFATF assessment.
Get in touch with Judith and email judith.watler@canopy.ky.
Canopy Consulting Core Services: AML | Compliance | Regulatory
- BA of Arts, St. Leo University
- Certified Chartered Secretary Offshore Finance & Administration (ICSA)
- Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)
- AML Certificate from the Florida International Banking Association (FIBA)
- Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance
- Notary Public of the Cayman Islands
- ✅ Provision of AML Officers to licensed and registered entities
- ✅ Regulatory Reporting
- ✅ Sanction Compliance Reporting
- ✅ Corporate Governance
- ✅ Preparation of AML Risk Assessments
- ✅ Preparation for regulatory inspections
- ✅ Writing of AML policies and procedures
- ✅ Conducting AML gap analysis by performing review and testing of the AML programme
- ✅ Applying the Risk Based Approach, 2017
- ✅ Member, Association of Certified AML Specialists (ACAMS)
- ✅ Former Vice President, the Cayman Islands Compliance Association, 2006 - 2018
PRINCIPAL – AML COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY SERVICES
Judith.Watler@canopy.ky | 1 (345) 916-8959
Judith is a Founder and Principal of Canopy Consulting, which was established in April 2022.
Judith brings over 30 years of experience in the financial industry and has been at the forefront of legislative development in Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Regulatory matters in the Cayman Islands.
In 2014, Judith was appointed and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA). She also served as a consultant to the Cayman Islands Government where she assisted with the redrafting of AML Regulations and Guidance Notes on the Prevention and Detection of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing in the Cayman Islands in preparation for the 2017 CFATF assessment.
Throughout her career, Judith has held senior regional and global positions in Compliance and Regulation at top tier firms
Prior to joining Canopy, Judith held the position of Director of Compliance and Regulatory Services at Walkers Professional Services where she was responsible for establishing and launching the firm’s outsourced compliance solutions business line in 2018. During her tenure, she provided key technical guidance and advice on AML, Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) and Sanction Compliance matters to her team and clients primarily in the hedge and private equity funds sectors. Judith was also the Group Regional Head of Compliance at another global firm for several years where she led complex compliance matters for the Americas region. Prior to joining the private sector, Judith performed regulatory roles over a 14-year period with the latest being Chief Analyst (Acting) in the Investments & Securities Division at the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.
At Canopy, Judith is a Principal and is responsible for providing clients with AML Officer appointments as well as other AML and Regulatory Advisory Services.
Areas Of Expertise
- Provision of AML Officers to licensed and registered entities
- Regulatory Reporting
- Sanction Compliance Reporting
- Corporate Governance
- Preparation of AML Risk Assessments
- Preparation for regulatory inspections
- Writing of AML policies and procedures
- Conducting AML gap analysis by performing review and testing of the AML programme
Associations & Memberships
- Board Member, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA)
- Member, Association of Certified AML Specialists (ACAMS)
- Former Vice President, the Cayman Islands Compliance Association, 2006 - 2018
Articles
- Applying the Risk Based Approach, 2017