AI Risk, Governance, and Strategy Implementation Consulting
We assist small to mid-size organizations adopt AI responsibly - integrating the governance, strategy, and risk framework.
The real risk isn't ai. it's ignorance.
AI isn't just a future technology; it's a present reality that is reshaping organizations at unprecedented speed. Your institution is leveraging AI right now. The question isn't whether you need AI governance — It's whether you know where it is and how to govern it.
Transforming Risk Management for the Age of AI.
The Competitive Imperative
A recent survey found that 78% of financial institutions are already using AI in some capacity—yet only 35% have formal AI governance frameworks in place. That's not a competitive advantage. That's regulatory risk waiting to materialize.
While there's no specific "AI regulation" yet federal banking regulators made their position clear in a 2024 Government Accountability Office report: "Financial institutions must manage AI use in a safe, sound, and fair manner, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations."
Translation: They're applying existing frameworks—SR 11-7 model risk management, interagency third-party risk guidance, Fair Lending laws—to AI systems. And they're asking questions during examinations.
- That credit scoring model? AI.
- Your fraud detection system? AI.
- The chatbot on your website? AI.
- Your marketing automation platform? AI.
- The "intelligent" features in your loan origination system? AI.
Risk management is critical, but AI governance isn't just about avoiding problems—it's about enabling innovation.
Organizations with mature AI governance are:
- 30% faster at deploying new AI use cases (Gartner)
- 2x more likely to achieve ROI from AI investments (MIT Sloan)
- 40% more efficient in compliance processes (Forrester)
- Better positioned to attract top talent and technology partnerships
The organizations winning in AI aren't moving recklessly. They're moving confidently—because they built the right foundation.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Every day without AI governance, you're accumulating risk:
- Regulatory Risk: When examiners ask, "Show me your AI inventory" and you can't produce one in 48 hours, that's a problem. Nationstar Mortgage paid $73M - CFPB Consent Order
- Model Risk: AI systems that drift, produce biased outcomes, or fail without monitoring create capital and reputational exposure. JPMorgan's $300M Penalty - OCC Findings Summary
- Third-Party Risk: Your vendors are using AI in their platforms. Do you know what models are running? Do your contracts address AI-specific risks? CFPB fined Experian & TransUnion $17M+ - CFPB Action
- Fair Lending Risk: If your AI-driven credit decisions can't be explained or are producing discriminatory outcomes, you're looking at potential consent orders and fines. Trustmark National Bank paid $9M - DOJ Settlement
- Competitive Risk: While you're waiting, your competitors are leveraging AI safely and effectively improving efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and making better decisions.
Note: These examples highlight common themes; a tailored gap analysis is essential to surface the risks unique to your institution.
Size is Irrelevant
Federal regulators don't adjust their expectations based on your asset size. Whether you're $5 billion or $500 billion, if you're using AI, you're expected to govern it properly.
But here's the challenge: You likely don't have:
- A dedicated Chief AI Risk Officer
- An AI governance committee
- Big Four consulting budgets
- Specialized AI risk expertise in-house
You're expected to meet the same standards as large financial institutions without the same level of resources.
The Opportunity
Organizations that get AI governance right aren't just managing risk—they're creating competitive advantage.
With proper governance, you can:
- Innovate confidently knowing you have guardrails in place
- Scale AI adoption across business lines systematically
- Satisfy regulators before they find gaps
- Attract talent who want to work with modern technology
- Serve customers better through responsible AI deployment
The organizations thriving in five years won't be the ones with the most AI. They'll be the ones who implemented it responsibly—with clear governance, proactive risk management, and board-level oversight.
The Choice Is Yours
You can wait for regulators to tell you what to do—and spend the next year remediating MRAs and explaining gaps to your board. Or you can get ahead of it now—with a clear inventory, solid governance framework, and exam-ready documentation.
That's exactly why Elevâre exists. Elevâre helps organizations turn risk into resilience and strategy into measurable growth.
About Elevâre
Elevâre brings enterprise-grade risk management and AI governance to small and mid-size financial and non-financial institutions that need sophisticated expertise but may not have access to Big Four consulting resources. You deserve the same level of strategic guidance that larger institutions receive—right-sized for your organization and budget.
Elevâre's approach is different: Elevâre blends strategy with purpose, aligning risk management with leadership, culture, and values—because true sustainability depends on all three and risk management is not a check the box exercise. A strong risk culture is foundational to lasting success.
Proactive, right-sized risk management isn't just about compliance; it's about doing what's right for your customers, your company, your employees, and your shareholders.
That's integrity in action!
Whether you're building your first AI risk program, strengthening a legacy compliance framework, or integrating AI strategy into your business objectives, Elevâre helps leaders navigate evolving regulatory expectations and proactive risk management with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Let's build something better—together!
Consulting Services
Elevâre partners with organizations to assess and mature their risk management programs and framework - Integrating AI strategy and risk management into systems, policies, and processes. Our services include:
- AI Risk Readiness Assessment: Comprehensive gap analysis of current AI risk posture vs. current and forthcoming regulatory expectations. (Start with our free AI Governance Self-Assessment to get an initial snapshot of your organization’s readiness.)
- AI Policy & Governance Framework: Comprehensive, plug-and-play AI governance program documentation.
- AI Strategy & Integration Roadmap: Alignment of AI initiatives with enterprise strategy, risk appetite, and governance framework to ensure responsible and sustainable adoption.
- Fractional Leadership: Ongoing executive-level support in the form of monthly AI risk oversight, quarterly board reporting, regulatory monitoring and updates, and ad-hoc coaching and consulting hours.
Additionally, Elevâre offers enterprise risk management and operational risk advisory services tailored to the size, maturity, and complexity of your organization.
Our Vision
Our vision is to elevate how organizations succeed by integrating AI risk management, governance, and strategy into their business goals and culture. We envision a future where businesses thrive in collaboration with AI through educated and empowered people, aligned purpose, and resilient systems that foster a cohesive risk culture and deepen customer trust and loyalty.
Project-Based Engagements
Fixed-fee pricing for clearly defined initiatives—such as risk assessments, governance frameworks, or strategy development—with structured deliverables and timelines. Ideal for organizations seeking end-to-end ownership of a specific outcome.
Fractional Leadership
Ongoing executive-level support that includes advisory hours, regulatory monitoring, board-ready reporting, and strategic oversight. Designed for organizations that want consistent partnership without the cost of an in-house executive.
Ad-Hoc Advisory Support
Ad-Hoc Advisory Support
Flexible, on-demand expertise for targeted needs—such as policy reviews, issue-specific guidance, or ad-hoc strategic support. Best for teams needing immediate insight or supplemental expertise at hourly rates.
CEO and Founder
I’m Lola Garcia, Founder & CEO of Elevâre. I help small to mid-sized financial and non-financial organizations weave AI risk, governance, and strategic alignment into their operational fabric. With more than two decades of experience leading enterprise and operational risk programs across highly reputable regional and national financial institutions - like Charles Schwab, JP Morgan Chase, and US Bank - I’ve developed a deep understanding of how risk, culture, strategy, and technology must converge.
In my career, I’ve led large-scale GRC transformations — including a key role in the historic Charles Schwab –TD Ameritrade integration (the largest acquisition in broker/dealer history) — and directed the team that designed and implemented Schwab’s first centralized, enterprise-wide post-merger process-mapping program. I’ve also architected enterprise-wide risk-maturity strategies that executive teams and Boards adopted to drive alignment, resilience, and sustainable growth.
At Elevâre, I blend strategic rigor with emotional intelligence and cultural insight, because I believe that true sustainability depends not only on frameworks and controls, but on leadership and values. I’m committed to helping organizations not only comply but thrive — turning risk into resilience and strategy into measurable growth.