Michele Munster

Michele Munster currently serves as the Manager of Enterprise Vendor Risk at TIAA, where she plays a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s third-party risk management framework. In her capacity, Michele oversees the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, ensuring that risk assessments, due diligence, and ongoing monitoring are conducted in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Her expertise in vendor risk mitigation is instrumental in safeguarding TIAA’s operational integrity and compliance posture, especially as the organization collaborates with a diverse portfolio of external vendors and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Michele’s strategic approach involves not only managing contractual obligations and SLAs but also driving continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency and risk visibility across the enterprise.

A key aspect of her role involves stakeholder engagement—collaborating closely with internal business units, legal teams, and external vendors to facilitate transparent communication and effective risk mitigation strategies. Michele’s leadership in risk assessment and issue management ensures that potential vulnerabilities are identified early, and appropriate remediation plans are implemented swiftly. Her focus on developing robust Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) supports proactive monitoring and reporting, enabling informed decision-making at the executive level.

With a strong foundation in business control, people management, and process improvement, Michele is dedicated to fostering a culture of risk awareness and operational excellence. Her expertise in vendor onboarding, due diligence, and ongoing compliance positions her as a vital contributor to TIAA’s enterprise risk management initiatives, ensuring that vendor relationships are managed effectively while supporting the organization’s strategic objectives.