Where to Begin? How to Conduct a Financial Risk Assessment in Your Organization
Chris Mandel, President and Managing Consultant, Excellence in Risk Management, LLC
Soubaghya Parija, Consultant and Former Chief Risk Officer, FirstEnergy Corp.
September 17, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Risk leaders everywhere have often struggled to understand and add value to how financial risks are managed within their organizations, trusting that CFOs and treasurers are the experts. Yet, to be effective, all risk leaders need to understand how these risks should be managed and how they fit into the overall risk profile of their organizations. This session will address financial risk assessments and explore how to ensure these are prioritized and fit into the broader scheme of risk management.
Attendee Takeaways:
1. Learn the fundamentals of key financial exposures and how they affect organizational success
2. Understand the assessment tools and techniques that are used to manage these risks
3. Know who the key stakeholders are and how they see these risks fitting into the risk profile of the organization
4. Walk away with a clear understanding of how financial risk fits into the big picture
Presenters
Chris Mandel, President and Managing Consultant, Excellence in Risk Management, LLC
Soubaghya Parija, Consultant and Former Chief Risk Officer, FirstEnergy Corp.
Chris is founder, president and managing consultant for Excellence in Risk Management, LLC, an independent risk consultancy founded in Texas in 2004. He is the recently retired SVP, strategic solutions for Sedgwick and the founding director of the Sedgwick Institute. He is assistant professor of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he teaches ERM. He was named Risk Manager of the Year and is an award-winning thought leader in risk and related areas. Chris has more than 30 years of experience in insurance and large global corporate risk management.
Soubhagya is renowned for his pioneering efforts in establishing and leading enterprise risk, operational risk, risk analytics, business resiliency and corporate insurance programs. His visionary approach to risk management has shaped the industry, ensuring organizations are not just reactive but proactive in managing risks. Throughout his career, Soubhagya has demonstrated a profound understanding of the multifaceted world of risk management. From financial and risk modeling to compliance risk, privacy and risk appetite modeling, Soubhagya has consistently showcased the ability to navigate complex terrain with precision, having led risk management programs in multiple companies both in the utilities and retail industries. Most recently, Soubhagya served as the chief risk officer at FirstEnergy Corporation, a US based utility with operations spanning across five different states. Prior to that he was the chief risk officer at New York Power Authority.
