Michele Edwards has 30 years of combined experience in fraud and compliance risk management, compliance and monitoring and auditing. She specializes in assessing, implementing and remediating antifraud and compliance programs, including as part of corporate compliance monitorships. She also has extensive experience conducting fraud risk assessments, fraud and compliance training, fraud detection and forensic investigations.

Michele has served as a monitor and led numerous compliance monitoring teams to seamlessly support independent monitors across complex, high-stakes engagements with overseeing day-to-day operations, coordinating with regulators and stakeholders, and ensuring effective implementation of remedial and compliance measures, including as part of eight corporate compliance monitorships:

• Appointed DOJ Independent Compliance Co-Monitor and Department of Navy Independent Monitor, respectively, for a global ship builder and defense prime contractor;
• Serves on the leadership team supporting the Independent Compliance Monitor, appointed by the DOJ, of a multinational e-commerce company, related to its compliance with a Deferred Prosecution Agreement;
• Serves on two leadership teams supporting two DOJ Antitrust-appointed Monitoring Trustees in their roles related to the oversight of compliance with obligations within a Stipulation and Order and Final Judgment related to the merger of two leading wireless telecommunications service providers and of a global leader in access solutions;
• Chief of Staff and led the Independent Compliance Monitor and Auditor team appointed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for Volkswagen AG, one of the largest and most high-profile corporate compliance monitorships in history;
• Served as a risk assessment subject matter expert to the DOJ-appointed Independent Compliance and Ethics Monitor to a global investment bank;
• Led the StoneTurn team serving as forensic adviser to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration appointed Monitor of a Tier-One automotive supplier; and
• Led two workstreams of a New York Department of Financial Services appointed Compliance Monitor of the largest non-bank mortgage servicer in the U.S.

She also has extensive experience assessing the design effectiveness and testing the operating effectiveness of remedial actions taken by several companies to address root-cause findings, prevent future misconduct and support favorable government settlements where no compliance monitor was appointed.

Michele has assisted many Fortune 500 companies with building and assessing antifraud and compliance programs and controls, conducting fraud audits and operationalizing robust fraud detection strategies with enhanced internal controls. She has also led and assisted clients with corporate investigations and litigation matters. Michele’s experience spans numerous industries.

Michele previously spent four years with PRGX Global, Inc., developing and leading the firm’s Fraud Risk Management Service practice. Prior to PRGX, Michele spent 14 years at PwC, where she advised clients on fraud prevention, developed firm methodologies during a pivotal period of regulatory scrutiny, led complex financial investigations, conducted financial statement audits, and supported public offerings, acquisitions, negotiations, and private placements. Michele currently serves as Co-Chair of the WWCDA Monitor/Receiver Subcommittee.