The [Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers](http://www.bacobahamas.com/) (BACO) has announced this year’s Compliance Professional of the Year (CPTY). She is Duhiza Swaby Smith, Senior Compliance Officer of Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild Ltd. In this position she has responsibility for the bank’s compliance & anti-money laundering department and programmes.
The award was presented at BACO’s 11th Annual Gala Awards Ceremony last month.
BACO points out that Mrs. Swaby Smith embodies everything that a young Bahamian professional who is dedicated to her profession should be. *“Hence, we are privileged to have her in the unique field of Compliance where she stands guard with the many gatekeepers of this globally competitive, Bahamas Financial Services Industry.”*
Duhiza has given much of her time and energy to BACO, serving on its Executive Committee four times over the past 10 years. She has presented at various conferences and seminars on the area of Anti-Money Laundering & Compliance, both locally and abroad on behalf of BACO as well as on behalf of her company. She continues to support the organization financially and behind the scenes.
The CPTY graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1998 where she obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Duhiza worked for one year with the Juvenile Justice Board after completing her studies where she served as a liaison between the Juvenile Justice Board and Department of Juvenile Justice to facilitate regulatory mandates through various advisory groups.
Upon her return to The Bahamas she worked with Thorand Bank & Trust Ltd. between 1999 – 2001; there she had the opportunity to work and gain valuable knowledge in the area of the trust and company administration department as well as in client accounting.
Duhiza started with Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild Ltd. in May 2002 as the Secretariat Generale, with the primary responsibility for the Central Register and subsequently moved into the area of compliance, holding the position of Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering Officer after successfully completing the International Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance. She continued with her growth and development in this area by also successfully obtaining the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist Certification. In 2010 she was appointed as Senior Compliance Officer at Banque Privée.
Duhiza Swaby Smith is a stellar compliance professional. Her tenure, expertise and performance were duly noted by her employers who, in fact, nominated her for BACO’s coveted CPTY award.
Other professional affiliations include: Fellow Member of the International Compliance Association and Member of the Association of Certified Compliance Specialists.