Transitioning from Engineering to Risk: Meet Enio Almeida

From Engineering to finance, and eventually leading Risk across Latin America, Enio Almeida tells us more about his career journey to joining Wise. 

I graduated in Engineering and later pursued a master's in Project Management. Despite that, I always had a strong interest in finance, and that led me to join HSBC years ago, where I gained my first experience in Operational Risk, marking the beginning of my career in the field.

Towards the end of 2021, I was told about an opportunity at Wise in London for the Group Operational Risk Lead role, and it seemed like the perfect chance to gain the additional experience I was looking for. At that point, I was based in Brazil but was used to travelling to London for work.

I applied, got the offer, and joined Wise in February 2022. At the time, the team was small, and my main challenge was helping to build out the operational risk framework. I knew it would be an exciting role with a lot of growth potential. 

After 2 years in London I had the opportunity to return to Brazil as the Risk Lead for Latin America (LATAM), which was another big step in my career journey.

From day one, my leadership team has been incredibly supportive of my growth. When the Risk Lead role for LATAM became available and I expressed interest, my Lead encouraged me to apply for it and be part of the process. Wise supported my relocation, and my colleagues made the transition seamless. Due to that support, I’ve been able to expand my scope beyond Operational Risk to now oversee the full spectrum of risks, including Financial Risk. This has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the risks associated with Wise’s products across LATAM and, more recently, MEA (Middle East and Africa region).

The Risk team at Wise plays a crucial role as a growth enabler. We ensure that as our products and business expand, we’re doing so safely, managing risks effectively across all areas—from operational to financial risks. The team is structured by group domains and regions, with regional risk professionals overseeing all risk domains in their regions. This structure ensures clear accountability and fosters strong collaboration across teams, allowing us to tackle risks comprehensively and work seamlessly together.

It’s definitely a busy but rewarding role. Stakeholders often turn to the Risk team for guidance and support, helping us ensure that product launches and new initiatives happen in a compliant and controlled environment. We’re involved in key business discussions, providing insights and valuable advice on product and feature launches, conducting thorough risk assessments, and making sure everything stays within our risk appetite.

We’re also part of the governance structure, participating in product committees and planning sessions. Given that we work with teams across different regions and time zones—from Brazil to the UAE—there’s a lot of coordination involved, which naturally requires adjustments and flexibility - but we make it happen.

Working in São Paulo has been great. Not only am I close to my hometown, but the energy in the office is incredible. There’s a strong dynamic among the teams, which makes the work environment both motivating and enjoyable. Additionally, the growth opportunities in the LATAM region are exceptional, making every challenge even more exciting and rewarding. 

The incredible people I get to work with. We have a team full of smart, supportive, and collaborative individuals, and I learn something new every day. Interacting with colleagues who bring diverse ways of thinking and problem-solving really challenges me to step up my game. 

This diverse background is also invaluable when you consider the wide range of products we offer and have to look after risk-wise, helping to have a rich perspective over the same topic, build knowledge and learn something new every day.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on at Wise was building the first set of operational risk Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) from the ground up. I was deeply involved in discussions with all risk owners to map processes and define the most effective way to measure and monitor their risks. At that time, we were just starting to implement this kind of monitoring for operational risks, so it was incredibly rewarding to be part of those initial steps.

Since then, the Group Risk team has grown and the process and KRIs have evolved, and we’re now in a much stronger position to quantify risks more effectively. This has had a significant impact on how we prioritize actions.  Having a reliable way to measure risks allows us to demonstrate their impact clearly and hold stakeholders accountable.  I’m really proud to have contributed to the early stages of this project. 

When interviewing candidates for the Risk team, we not only assess the technical skills required for various risk domains but also look for individuals who bring energy and enthusiasm. This is a key factor for us. We value candidates who are committed to learning and growing every day, especially since the risk landscape is ever-evolving. Resilience is another essential trait, as the role demands the ability to identify and mitigate potential threats while maintaining a proactive and composed approach. As enablers of growth, we also seek individuals who can balance risk identification with supporting business expansion in a controlled and secure environment.

Joining Wise is an incredible journey filled with growth and new experiences. My advice would be to stay adaptable, embrace a growth mindset, and be deeply aligned with the company’s mission. 

Wise is fast-paced and constantly evolving, so being comfortable with change and ambiguity is crucial. You’ll also need to be open to continuous learning and feedback, as personal and professional growth are key parts of the culture. Most importantly, having a genuine passion for Wise's mission—making money work better for people—is vital. If you're driven by the idea of building a fairer financial system, that passion will keep you motivated and help you make a meaningful impact.