Fintech & Operations Professional

Barbara Fitzgerald

Rooted in people. Wired for problem-solving. Fueled by creativity.

Behind every smooth experience is strong operations

I've built my career at the intersection of people and process — leading both customer experience and back-end operations across fintech, e-commerce, insurance, and international markets. I bring structure to complexity and care to every client interaction.

With a background spanning AML/KYC compliance, Salesforce-driven case management, e-commerce scaling, and insurance operations, I thrive in regulated, fast-moving environments where accuracy and empathy matter equally.

Outside of work, I'm an art admirer, devoted wife, proud dog mom, and loyal friend. I'm passionate about exploring the world, learning new languages, and growing through life's spiritual journey.

I currently live in the Chicagoland area — a community where cultures, languages, and backgrounds come together in ways that make everyday life more vibrant and inspiring. I'd love to connect if you're looking for someone who brings heart, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership to every role.

Languages English (native) · Portuguese (native) · Spanish (conversational) · French (learning)
Based in Chicago, IL — Open to remote & hybrid roles
Industry Focus Fintech · Insurance · E-Commerce · Customer Operations
Core Strengths AML/KYC Compliance · Salesforce · Process Design · Cross-functional Collaboration

Experience & Projects

New Accounts Associate
NinjaTrader
Chicago, IL — Remote
2025 – Present

Supporting the onboarding of new retail traders by reviewing applications, verifying documentation, and ensuring compliance with U.S. and international AML/KYC regulations. I guide clients through the account-opening process, resolve documentation issues, and collaborate with internal teams to maintain accuracy, mitigate risk, and deliver a smooth, compliant customer experience within a regulated futures trading environment.

Customer Onboarding & Case Manager
Volvo Cars – Percepta
Mahwah, NJ — Remote
2024 – 2025

Served as a Case Operations Manager supporting Volvo's Brazilian market electrification project, handling complex customer inquiries with accuracy and care. Used Salesforce to manage high-volume cases, maintained clear documentation, and collaborated across teams to deliver a premium customer experience. The role sharpened my operational skills and deepened my commitment to customer-focused work.

E-Commerce Operations & Customer Experience Manager
WigSalon.com
Miami, FL — Remote
2005 – 2024

Played a central role in building and scaling WigSalon.com over nearly two decades, contributing across sales, customer service, vendor relations, fulfillment, logistics, and financial operations. Shaped core processes, trained new team members, and supported key e-commerce initiatives as the business evolved. My cross-departmental leadership and workflow systems directly supported long-term growth and customer satisfaction.

Administrative Assistant & Event Planner
Botanic Gardens Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2003

Supported the head researcher in daily operations and academic coordination. Organized international events, managing logistics, communication, and cross-cultural coordination for visiting researchers and guests. The role blended administrative precision with global collaboration and strengthened my ability to manage complex, high-visibility projects.

Field Service Technician
Digidata
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2001

Provided on-site IT support for local businesses, primarily law firms in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Troubleshot hardware and network issues to keep critical systems functional and secure. This hands-on role became my introduction to workplace technology and ignited an early passion for tech problem-solving.

Professional Skills

✦ Soft Skills

Empathy
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Curiosity
Communication
Customer Service
Relationship-Building
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Cultural Awareness
Teamwork
Training & Mentoring
Leadership
Resilience

✦ Hard Skills

AML / KYC Compliance
Salesforce CRM
E-Commerce Operations
Life & Health Insurance
Financial Portfolio Mgmt
Vendor Relations
Order Entry & Logistics
Digital Marketing (SEO, Ads)
AI Tools & LLMs
Prompt Engineering
HTML, CSS & JavaScript
IT Support
Jira
Slack
B2C Sales
Bilingual: EN / PT
Conversational Spanish
French (Learning)

Education & Licenses

Harold Washington College – City Colleges of Chicago

Associate of Arts

23 credits completed · 3.6 GPA · Member, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Colégio Óperon

High School Diploma

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Foundation for a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.

FL DHS 7020 – Insurance Adjuster, All Lines

Florida License · January 2026

Qualified to handle property, casualty, and workers' compensation claims. Florida's reciprocity with many states provides broad national opportunity.

Life & Health Insurance Producer

Licensed in IL & FL · 2023

Licensed to guide individuals and families through protection, legacy planning, and long-term financial wellness decisions.

Certifications & Training

Complete certification details and verifications are available on my LinkedIn profile.

🤖
BUILT WITH CLAUDE AI
This portfolio was designed and built entirely using Claude AI — a live demonstration of my prompt engineering and AI collaboration skills.
Anthropic · Apr 2026
Anthropic · Apr 2026
Anthropic · Apr 2026
FL DHS 7020 – Insurance Adjuster, All Lines
Florida Dept. of Financial Services · Jan 2026
Human-Centered Leadership
LinkedIn · Aug 2025
AI for Organizational Leaders — Microsoft & LinkedIn
Microsoft · Aug 2025
Leading Responsible AI in Organizations
LinkedIn · Aug 2025
AI Literacy for Business Leaders
LinkedIn · Aug 2025
Integrating Generative AI into Business Strategy
LinkedIn · Aug 2025
AI Challenges & Opportunities for Leadership
LinkedIn · Aug 2025
How to Keep Your Team on the Bleeding Edge of AI Innovation
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Generative AI for Business Leaders
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
How to Boost Your Productivity with AI Tools
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Introduction to Risk Management
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Learning Jira (Data Center Edition)
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Increasing Tech Team Productivity: Tools, Strategies & Workflows
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Developing Your Emotional Intelligence
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Critical Thinking for New Managers
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Prompt Engineering with ChatGPT
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Google Gemini for Developers
LinkedIn · Jul 2025
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
IBM · Jun 2025 · ID: 8IV5QA1CUKDP
Artificial Intelligence Essentials V2
Coursera · Jun 2025
IBM Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics
IBM · 2025
IQ Test — Result: 120
Brain Metrics Initiative · 2025
Supervised Machine Learning: Regression & Classification
Stanford / DeepLearning.AI · Nov 2024
Life and Health Insurance License
Illinois Dept. of Insurance · Nov 2023 · ID: 21000293
Learning Data Analytics: 1 Foundations
LinkedIn · 2023
75hr IL Real Estate Broker Pre-Licensing
TheCEShop.com · 2022

Other Skills & Interests

🛒

E-Commerce

E-commerce is more than products — it's people, platforms, and precision. I've managed it all: vendor relationships, customer support, inventory coordination, and backend systems.

💻

Tech Enthusiast

I got my first PC at 14 and immediately took it apart to understand how it worked. I taught myself HTML in Notepad, and today I'm diving deep into AI — always eager to explore what's next.

📈

Personal Finance & Investing

Over six years of self-directed portfolio management across Vanguard, Fidelity, trading, and crypto. For me, personal finance is about building freedom and resilience.

📣

Online Marketing

While living in Miami, I launched a website selling Brazilian jeans, teaching myself SEO and Facebook Ads from scratch — hands-on experience driving online sales and building brand awareness.

🌍

Travel & Culture

Fluent in English and Portuguese, conversational in Spanish, and learning French. Travel fuels my curiosity and broadens my perspective, enriching both my personal life and professional approach.

💇

Wig Consulting

Over 18 years as a wig consultant and sales specialist with a keen ability to assess client needs and recommend tailored styles and colors with a personalized touch.

🐾

Dog Grooming

Self-taught dog groomer — a reflection of my belief in taking initiative, hands-on learning, and finding caring, practical solutions every day.

📋

IL Notary Public

I became a Notary Public not as a career move, but as a way to help family and friends during important life moments. A small skill that makes a real difference.

🏠

Real Estate

Before buying my first home, I completed the 75-hour Illinois real estate pre-licensing course to better understand the process and make informed decisions. I don't hold a license, but I have the foundational knowledge to navigate real estate with confidence.

Recommendations

"

Barbara is proactive, resourceful, conscientious, and trustworthy. She has the skills, discipline, and professionalism to excel in any role she takes on, and I am confident she would be an asset to any organization.

Diane A.
Owner, WigSalon.com
"

Barbara's strong work ethic, attention to detail, and proactive approach make her a reliable and effective team member. Beyond her professional capabilities, Barbara is a person of integrity and empathy, consistently demonstrating strong communication skills and a genuine willingness to support her team members.

Daniela B.
Volvo Teammate
"

Her attention to detail is nothing short of remarkable — she catches even the smallest nuances, ensuring every task is completed with precision. Her ambition and goal-oriented mindset are truly inspiring. I highly recommend Barbara to anyone looking for a dedicated, detail-oriented, and ambitious professional.

Andrezza W.
Volvo Teammate
"

I am always surprised by how she wants to improve herself or add a new skill to her list. Her intelligence, paired with her dedication, makes her not only a capable professional but also someone others naturally turn to for guidance and support.

Juliana S.
Friend & Client
"

Barbara consistently demonstrated a solution-focused mindset, exceptional efficiency, and deep subject matter knowledge. Her honest and transparent communication style fosters trust and reliability, making her an invaluable asset to any team or organization.

Mayra A.
Volvo Teammate
"

She combines strategic thinking with a people-first mindset, making her an exceptional leader and a reliable asset to any organization. Her common sense and fair approach created a respectful environment that directly influenced the team.

Constance F.
Volvo Teammate
"

Bárbara is incredibly organized and possesses a team spirit that inspires and uplifts everyone around her. Her ability to conduct strong and fair case analyses is impressive; she consistently seeks the most equitable solutions.

Jenifer P.
Volvo Teammate
"

Her leadership style combines empathy with efficiency — an ideal blend for managing dynamic teams and achieving reliable outcomes. She builds trust with ease, encourages team engagement, and maintains a positive team atmosphere.

Brenda G.
Volvo Teammate
"

Barbara brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, and her problem-solving skills made a huge difference in our day-to-day operations. Her professionalism, dedication, and ability to navigate complex situations made her an invaluable asset to the organization.

Lais C.
Volvo Teammate
"

Bárbara is reliable, collaborative, and truly committed to excellence in everything she does. Personally, she's been a great mentor — offering advice and encouragement that's helped me grow in my career.

Luiz B.
Volvo Teammate
"

She combines technical expertise with a very human, solutions-oriented approach. She thinks ahead, asks the right questions, and brings insights that add real value. Barbara is reliable, intelligent, and naturally collaborative — the type of person who strengthens any team she joins.

Tatiana B.
Professional Contact

Let's Connect

I'm open to fintech, compliance, operations, and customer experience roles. Let's talk about how I can contribute to your team.

View My LinkedIn Profile