Souzan Esmaili – Dubai
Founder & CEO,
TCAE
Souzan Esmaili’s journey from Iran to Dubai and eventually to Canada is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of community.
After 18 years in Dubai, where she built her career, she moved to Canada, facing the challenge of integrating into a new professional landscape.
Despite initial struggles, especially in finding a job, she leveraged her experiences and the support of her network to establish TCAE.
What began as a community resource for newcomers and evolved into a comprehensive service offering training, consultancy, and events, with a special focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency education in partnership with Chainalysis. Souzan’s story highlights the importance of adaptability, networking, and focusing on helping others as key strategies for overcoming obstacles.
She advocates for Canada to adopt more welcoming hiring practices for immigrants, emphasizing the value of their international experience.
Reflecting on her journey, she feels empowered by her ability to assist others and is proud of the business and community she has built.
Souzan Esmaili is a trailblazing force in the realm of Regulatory, Financial Crime and Crypto Compliance.
With a distinguished career spanning over 18 years across international landscapes, she honed her expertise through roles in esteemed financial institutions and consultancies in Dubai and Toronto.
Throughout her journey in Dubai, Souzan has served as an Authorized Individual by the regulator, Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), helped with major remediation projects and acted as Compliance Officer and MLRO for various firms.
Upon relocating to Canada in 2019, Souzan’s commitment to excellence led her to establish TCAE, a platform dedicated to educating and empowering compliance and AML professionals and offering training, consultancy, and recruitment services to corporates globally.
Her visionary approach and dedication to fostering knowledge have earned her widespread recognition and accolades as a Women of Inspiration in 2023 by the Canadian Immigrants.
Her academic prowess is as impressive as her professional achievements, holding an MBA from the American University of Sharjah (UAE), a Post Graduate Diploma in GRC from Manchester Business School (UK), and certifications including CAMS, FinTech Program certificate from Oxford University, and Chainalysis Cryptocurrency Fundamentals and Reactor Certifications.
Souzan has carved a niche for herself as an exemplary leader, educator, consultant, and mentor. Her unwavering dedication and extensive knowledge and experience make Souzan an indispensable asset in the fight against financial crime.
As she continues to inspire and empower professionals in her field, her impact reverberates far beyond borders, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and the communities she serves.