Renee Sterling did not plan to stay for more than two years when she left Miami for London in 2008. She saw it as a stepping stone opportunity when she was awarded a yearlong City fellowship to work for Goldman Sachs in the City of London. Seventeen years later, she is still there, now as the Executive Director and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Regulatory Controller and International Data Controller at Wells Fargo. Her stellar career has spanned two continents and multiple financial cycles, but her values have remained constant.
“My father, Clive Sterling, always taught me that, ‘You should be able to roll with queens and kings but maintain the element of a common man because you never know where life will take you so always remain humble” Sterling recalls. That parental grounding shaped her approach to leadership and service. It is also what makes her inspiring story resonate so deeply with a global diaspora audience, -those navigating both ambition and identity across borders.
Holding the Line on Financial Integrity
Sterling’s current role places her at the center of global banking oversight. She manages Wells Fargo’s regulatory reporting across EMEA and now manages the data for controllers in EMEA and APAC (Asia Pacific). For her, the stakes are clear: “Effective controls and strong governance are key to regulatory reporting.” “Data without context is useless; data with context is information,” she explains.
In diaspora communities, where banking across jurisdictions is often the norm, Renee’s perspective matters. She cautions against assumptions. Transparency, governance and oversight, and timely data are critical for any firm’s resilience and success.
For diaspora professionals and entrepreneurs, Sterling offers this advice
- Foster a culture that promotes a sense of ownership and collaboration
- Advocate for governance and oversight
- Ensure that you understand your domain
Her work ensures that the numbers reported are materially correct and that there are effective controls around the reporting. But it is not just about numbers. It is about protecting the financial standing of institutions, clients, and, by extension, communities.
Inclusion That Can Be Measured
Sterling currently chairs the International Finance DEI Council at Wells Fargo. Her approach to inclusion avoids slogans. “There is power in soft skills, and the burden should not rest solely on HR or the CEO,” she says.
She has implemented initiatives such as a six-week “Power Skills” challenge. Each effort is tracked. Data, once again, provides insights into what is working and what requires improvement.
Sterling’s DEI approach is pragmatic
- Find opportunities to develop talent.
- Partner with other groups who share the same vision to maximize impact.
- Measure cultural change, not just event attendance.
Her goal, she notes, is to build teams where inclusion is part of the structure -not an afterthought. “We could play it safe, or remove the mask, and really have honest conversations,” she says.
Teaching Wealth by Design, Not by Default
Sterling is passionate about financial literacy. Her own family, like many in the diaspora, worked hard, saved aggressively -but did not always plan with intention or foresight for the next generation. That experience inspired her to organize a webinar, Financial Formation – Estate Planning, to teach the importance of estate planning.
“What is the good of having all your assets if they then go into dispute?” she asks. “A house in order is making sure you have a will.”
The program featured Black female lawyers and covered topics many avoid—wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and the costs of inaction. For families building generational wealth across borders, the guidance is practical.
- Draft wills that are recognized in all countries of residence.
- Establish durable powers of attorney for healthcare and finances.
- Explore credit migration services when moving internationally.
- Consider trust structures for property held abroad.
(FunTimes will soon publish her checklists for download, turning policy into tools readers can use.)
Unmasking the Strong Black Woman
Sterling speaks about therapy without hesitation. She calls it essential, not indulgent. “Society expects Black women to always be strong,” she observes. “There is strength in being vulnerable, it is okay to say ‘something is too much for me to do.’”
In high-pressure environments, burnout can be subtle and happen gradually. Sterling uses her platform to make mental health part of professional development. At her firm, she advocates for integrating well-being into management and work expectations.
For diaspora readers, this reframing matters. Sterling reminds us that protecting your mind is as urgent as safeguarding your money
Anchored in Culture, Committed to Community
Sterling is not just a banker. She co-chairs the Arts facet of The London Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and was most recently inducted as its Treasurer. Renee is also a member of The Royal Pearl Society, an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is co-leading the Build Our Economic Wealth Program. One of the initiatives she led in this space is to promote “Black Pound Day,” a UK-wide movement that encourages consumers to solicit and prioritize Black-owned businesses. Last year in June, “We wore pink, spent green, and bought Black,” she jokes. “It is about making sure the money stays in the Black community.”
These efforts are not side projects. They are part of how she keeps her identity centered while working in global finance.
She also shares generously. On the Race2Rise podcast, she and her co-host spotlight Black professionals navigating transnational careers. The show probes questions many do not ask publicly -about code-switching, home ownership abroad, and how to make your success count for more than a salary.
What She Reads, What She Teaches
Sterling plans to read 30 books this year after achieving her goal to read 24 books in 2024. She sets quarterly self-care goals. She still calls Miami home, even as she builds her future in London. All of this is featured on her blog, www.reneeasterling.com.
Whether managing a regulatory submission or mentoring a student, her message is steady, prosperity must be protected, but it must also be shared. “We are not meant to work and die,” she says. “We are meant to grow and give back.”
Renee Sterling’s story is a reminder to those in the diaspora and beyond, that global success does not have to mean cultural erasure. It can mean bringing every part of who you are into the room and setting a place for others to follow.
This article is made possible with the support from the following organizations:
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
