Zuleika Dawson

Zuleika Dawson is a Director in Protiviti's Technology Consulting practice, based in Melbourne. She has more than 20 years of experience leading analytics and risk functions across ASX-listed financial services organisations in banking and superannuation as well as the public sector.

Zuleika helps organisations improve the way they use data, analytics, AI and governance to support better decision-making, manage risk and deliver measurable business outcomes. She has operated at scale in highly regulated, complex environments, holding senior leadership roles, building high-performing analytics teams and leading transformation programs across risk, customer experience, marketing and operations.

Her experience includes establishing Analytics Centres of Excellence, developing enterprise data and analytics strategies, designing operating models, implementing AI and advanced analytics solutions, and strengthening model risk management and governance frameworks. She also brings deep expertise in strategic analytics, reporting and insights, credit risk model validation and monitoring, and model risk management.

Zuleika combines deep analytics and risk expertise with commercial acumen, executive communication skills and strong leadership capability. She has worked closely with executive leadership teams and Boards to address regulatory requirements, improve business performance and support strategic change. She is known for translating complex data into practical, informed business, customer and governance outcomes, and for establishing new analytics capabilities from the ground up.

Major projects and accomplishments

Major Australian Bank

• Led enterprise analytics, AI and governance transformation initiatives, improving customer outcomes and delivering a 15% operational efficiency uplift.
• Oversaw credit risk model governance, validation and regulatory engagement, while delivering strategic portfolio analytics to support key business decisions.

Major Superannuation Fund

• Established and led a new Analytics and Reporting Centre of Excellence for Marketing, delivering advanced customer analytics and performance reporting.
• Defined and executed the strategic roadmap, including initiatives that delivered approximately 70% operational efficiency uplift.

Major Credit Bureau

• Managed and delivered bespoke credit risk models for major financial services organisations.

Federal Government

• Researched and delivered time series analysis, survey design and estimation for complex business and population surveys.

Industry expertise

• Financial Services
• Banking
• Superannuation
• Government

Education

• Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Science)
• Professional Banking Fundamentals (FINSIA)

Professional memberships and certifications

• Certificate IV in Project Management