Data Analytics: Use Them Or Be Abused By Them

Jeff Bandman is Founder and Principal of Bandman Advisors, an advisory practice helping clients meet strategic innovation and regulatory challenges. Bandman Advisors bridges the gap between business and regulation.

Jeff is co-founder of the Global Digital Finance Initiative (GDF.io) to establish an industry-driven global code of conduct and taxonomy for cryptoassets. Jeff is on the Board of Advisors of Templum Inc. and iComply Investor Services, and a Research Fellow of the Blockchain for Algorithmic Regulation and Compliance (BARAC) initiative at University College London's Centre for Blockchain Technologies.

Jeff was a senior official at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2014-2017. As FinTech Advisor to Chairman Giancarlo, he was Founding Director and architect of LabCFTC, the CFTC's hub for engagement with FinTech innovation. He established and chaired the CFTC blockchain, virtual currency and FinTech working group from inception in 2015. Jeff led FinTech and RegTech coordination with domestic and international regulators and led an international regulator workstream on post-trade digital innovation. Jeff joined the CFTC as Special Counsel to Chairman Timothy G. Massad, then led the CFTC’s Office of International Affairs. Jeff also led the CFTC's Division of Clearing and Risk, which oversees many of the world’s largest clearinghouses. He led the negotiations resulting in “Clearinghouse Equivalence” with the European Commission.

Jeff worked for many years in the financial industry in New York and London as an attorney and business executive. He led a variety of market structure initiatives, and also rebuilt Cantor Fitzgerald’s market data business after the events of September 11, 2001.

Jeff graduated from Yale (Pierson College) magna cum laude, with honors in History and English. As an undergraduate he was President of Yale Debate, a Yale tour guide, and escorted Handsome Dan, the Yale Bulldog, during his graduation. He also has a law degree from Stanford (Order of the Coif). He is a five-time Jeopardy! Champion, and spent his winnings backpacking.

At Yale he is a Lecturer in Global Affairs on Cryptoassets and Public Policy in the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

Dennis Sullivan is a technology executive with extensive experience integrating business strategy, technology and process in leading global financial firms. He manages large-scale business-IT initiatives and innovative collaborations to both embrace emerging technologies and maximizes legacy IT ROI.

Alex Khachaturian serves as Director in FINRA’s Office of Emerging Regulatory Issues (ERI) in Washington, DC. Alex’s supports ERI’s mission in the identification and analysis of emerging products, laws and regulations, business models, and industry practices (both domestic and international) to inform FINRA’s risk management and strategy goals. Alex is most prominently involved in FINRA’s efforts related to financial technology, through FINRA’s Innovation Outreach Initiative, as well as developments in regulatory reform in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Prior to joining FINRA, Alex served as an attorney in the Office of International Affairs at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), where he worked on legal and policy issues related to global derivatives regulation. In that capacity, Alex was actively involved in various bilateral dialogues as well as multilateral engagement, through the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). Additionally, Alex worked as an attorney in the International Dispute Resolution group at the Washington, DC office of White & Case and as a FX derivatives analyst at a global financial services firm in New York.

Alex received a J.D., with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he served as an editor on the Law Review; a master’s degree, in International Relations, from Suffolk University, in Boston; and a B.A., with distinction, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Jeff Friedman is the Director of Product Management at Micro Focus. He earned his JD at the Suffolk University Law School in 1996.

Dr. Michael McGrath is an experienced and award-winning executive, mindful coach, author, entrepreneur and public speaker. He typically works with senior leaders and organisations implementing transformational change and experiencing difficulties. He has helped them identify the root causes of the difficulties and unlock them. He has brought leadership and analytical problem-solving skills to bear in order to achieve successful organisational change by thoughtfully using project and programme management techniques, portfolio controls and advanced delivery and operational risk techniques to achieve the desired outcome.