Paul Marrinan (Co-Chair) works in Blockchain Intelligence for TRM Labs, and is Principal of Túath Consulting, where he has provided consulting services internationally across the African continent, North America, the LATAM region, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. TRM Labs is an industry leading blockchain analytics company. Prior to joining TRM in May 2021, he was Head of Investigations at Inca Digital, a data analytics company focused on cryptocurrency regulation.

Paul has over 16 years of experience in International Law Enforcement, where he worked with INTERPOL, EUROPOL, SIRENE, and An Garda Siochana. During his time in INTERPOL he worked across a broad range of crime areas, including fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, and a large variety of scams. While working on the SIS II integration project he led the DPIA process for GDPR compliance.

Paul holds a BA in Administration of Justice, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict and Dispute Resolution Studies. In 2019 he graduated with a first-class honors MSc in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation from University College Dublin, where his dissertation was based on a blockchain use-case for the transfer of digital evidence across borders.

Aaron Archer (Co-Chair) is a Senior Manager at Western Union where he is responsible for leading a team of fraud analysts, driving global fraud mitigation efforts, and developing strategies to combat and reduce consumer fraud around the world. Aaron has nearly two decades of experience in the field of financial crime investigations. Since joining Western Union in 2012 he has led investigations related to a variety of typologies including human smuggling, counterfeit goods, and consumer fraud. Aaron has a master’s degree in Criminology from Regis University in Denver, where his thesis focused on persuasion tactics used in online relationship scams. Aaron is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS).

Micah Velasquez (Programming Director) is a Manager of Internal Audit Business Intelligence at Charles Schwab. He is responsible for leading and developing strategies in policy, technology, analytics, governance, and risk assessments. Prior to joining Charles Schwab, he conducted global financial crimes investigations at Western Union focused on high-risk areas such as the US Southwest/Mexican Region, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Moreover, he produced significant advisory work on a monitored settlement agreement and FTC consent order by providing recommendations to executive leadership on global policies and processes related to transaction monitoring, due diligence, sanctions, fraud, consumer protection, and technology. Micah’s industry experience also includes financial and data analysis at Wells Fargo Corporate Bank, PWC Wealth Management, and Invesco. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Colorado State University-Pueblo.

KJ Kim (Event Manager) is VP, Sanctions Officer at Bank of Hope. In her role, she is responsible for reviewing sanctions updates and providing leadership and direction on sanctions related aspects, leading model validation projects and export controls program, and managing policy and procedure of OFAC unit of Bank of Hope. Prior to her compliance career in financial institutions, she had worked for one of the embassies located in Seoul, South Korea. She is a Certified Financial Crimes Specialist (CFCS), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), and Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS).

Melanie Ragan (Event Manager) is a Senior Manager at Charles Schwab Brokerage and Bank where she is responsible for conducting Enhanced Due Diligence on high risk clients.  As a tenured member of the Financial Crimes Risk Management team, Melanie serves as a coach and mentor by reviewing and approving the work of peer analysts, she creates and facilitates trainings on various BSA/AML and procedural topics, and is a trusted resource for knowledge in numerous financial crime typologies including complex relationships, tribal accounts, and marijuana-related businesses.  Melanie has served over 16 years in financial services and holds a FINRA Series 7, 63, 9, and 10.  She has an MBA from Regis University in Denver and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS).

Justin Wehrheim (Communications Director) is the Leader of Western Union’s AML/CTF Transaction Monitoring Program Management Team. Prior to coming to Western Union, Mr. Wehrheim served as an Army Officer for nearly 10 years primarily serving as an Intelligence Officer with part of his mission to combat terrorist financing. Mr. Wehrheim served over three years in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflict zones. Mr. Wehrheim is also a graduate of U.S. Army Ranger School and the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course. Mr. Wehrheim has 12 years of compliance experience. Mr. Wehrheim is CFCS certified by the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (“ACFCS”). Mr. Wehrheim is also certified as an International Project Manager and a Master Project Manager by the American Academy of Project Management Board of Standards. Mr. Wehrheim holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from Webster University.