María del Pilar Mendez Fernandez

Grants Compliance & Operations Leader | Driving Federal Program Compliance & Growth Across Financial & Regulatory Sectors

Worthington, Minnesota, United States

About

Senior Grants & Compliance Leader | 20+ Years of Strategic Financial Management | Disaster Recovery & Federal Funds Expert ​I am a results-driven professional specializing in the end-to-end management of complex federal grant lifecycles and large-scale financial operations. With over 16 years of experience in the banking industry and 5 years dedicated to disaster recovery and federal fund management (COR3), I bridge the gap between rigorous financial compliance and efficient process optimization. ​ My expertise includes: ​Grant Lifecycle Management: Navigating the complexities of FEMA and CDBG-DR programs, ensuring strict adherence to 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). ​Financial Oversight & Compliance: Leveraging a deep banking background to manage multi-million dollar portfolios, financial tracking systems, and audit readiness. ​ Contract Management: Expert in redlining, technical documentation, and requirements gathering for large-scale modernization projects. ​Operational Excellence: Proven track record in streamlining workflows and optimizing organizational performance in high-stakes environments. ​I am currently seeking a remote professional opportunity in the United States within Grant Management, Compliance, or Process Optimization where I can apply my bilingual skills and extensive experience in federal recovery to drive impactful results.

Experience

  • COR3 | Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (4 yrs 3 mos)
    • Grant Senior Lead
      Nov 2025 - Jun 2026 · 8 mos

    • Grant Project Manager
      May 2025 - Oct 2025 · 6 mos

    • Grants Specialist
      Apr 2022 - May 2025 · 3 yrs 2 mos

  • Branch Analyst at ICF
    May 2021 - Apr 2022 · 1 yr

  • Evaluation and Monitoring Officer at UNIVERSIDAD INTERAMERICANA DE PUERTO RICO
    2014 - 2019 · 5 yrs

    Mitigated regulatory risks by guaranteeing program requirements adhered to subsidized programs with external funds compliance standards. Ensure compliance with institutional policy, federal and state laws applicable to the university setting. Monitoring, evaluation and improvement of the internal operational and financial processes of the administrative offices. Assist the Dean of Administration during compliance and audit process review. Carry out periodic internal review processes. Review internal operational processes to identify areas for improvement and make recommendations

  • Branch Manager at Banco Santander
    2010 - 2014 · 4 yrs

    Built strong rapport with new and existing clients to better serve financial needs and promote branch loyalty. Networked within communities to identify and capitalize on business opportunities. Planned and coordinated risk mitigation strategies to protect company assets. Produced sales by executing complete sales cycle process from prospecting through contract negotiations and close. Complied with company policies and government regulations to prevent and detect rule violations. Educated customers on variety of loan products and available credit options to promote valuable decision-making.

  • Branch Manager at Western Bank - Puerto Rico
    2009 - 2010 · 1 yr

    Supervision and accountability for the performance of the Branch and its personnel (19 employees). Commercial portfolio management. Worked with regulatory standards to complete accurate filings and maintain compliance. Delinquent accounts collection.