Carissa Robb looks back on first year as SolomonEdwards Financial Services Head

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Carissa Robb taking the lead of the Banking and Financial Services (BFS) practice at SolomonEdwards. Her appointment came at a pivotal moment for the firm, which is expanding its offerings to firms in the complex and highly regulated BFS industry.

Following an impressive decade-long career in the banking sector, Robb joined SolomonEdwards three years ago during a period of significant expansion. SolomonEdwards is a rapidly growing consulting firm that has successfully closed several major deals in recent years. This growth has allowed the company to expand its footprint, reinforcing its position as a leader in BFS consulting.

In July 2025, Robb was promoted to managing partner of the BFS practice. Financial services is one of the flagship industries for the firm, representing a core area of expertise where partners consistently excel. Under her leadership, the practice has focused on delivering tactical solutions for the firm’s largest banking clients, helping them through regulatory pressure, transformation initiatives, and growth moments.

A team with deep expertise

Reflecting on the past year, Carissa Robb notes that the firm looks forward to more brand elevation and transformation. She credits her success to a high-caliber team of former bankers, operators, and regulators who are able to quickly earn credibility with clients.

"The level of experience we have attracted to SolomonEdwards has empowered us to move with intention and confidence. That is what our clients are asking for," she says.

"We’re not writing 60-page decks. We’re not deploying talent for our clients to train on the job. We are hitting the ground running and tactically solving problems in real time."

The practice specializes in finance, risk, operations, and change management, often helping clients navigate complexity under constraint, such as regulatory scrutiny and technology shifts. Carissa Robb explains that her team excels at seeing around corners and identifying potential pitfalls.

"We know the space, we know the rules and we drive rapid progress while maintaining control and defensibility. That execution‑first mindset is core to how we deliver value," she says.

A practice in expansion

A key objective for the past year was broadening the practice into areas like M&A, post-deal execution, and financial crimes. This evolution included a deep dive into the crypto space, where the team assists some of the largest financial institutions in the U.S. with governance frameworks.

"We continue to lean into technology enablement, including technical roadmaps and technical debt assessments, system selection, implementation support, and increasingly, data and AI‑driven use cases," notes Robb.

"We’re hyper focused on making our own house more efficient- not for margin- but for strengthening what we can deliver to our clients in a shorter amount of time. Everyone is on an AI implementation journey. We are showing up for governance and roadmap support so they can be intentional with their time and investments."

Additionally, the firm is supporting smaller regional banks and credit unions with assets between $2 billion and $20 billion. Robb notes the practice is ready to help guide these innovators through AI journeys, ensuring they remain intentional with their investments.

Standing out in the crowd

The SolomonEdwards BFS practice distinguishes itself through a lean, senior-led model. Unlike larger firms that may deploy junior talent for training, Carissa Robb ensures that the experienced professionals who start the job are the same ones that ultimately finish the job.

"We provide impressive profiles and deploy those same people for the duration, not just for the bid," said Robb.

"The regulators are paying close attention to the qualifications of contracted support. That’s an area I’m confident we outperform in. With that said, we play nicely in the sandbox. Almost every engagement has a blend of firms working toward a common goal. We enjoy supporting larger firms with these complex engagements and are often tapped for the actual production work."

Providing an objective perspective

On a more personal note, Robb notes finding deep satisfaction in the pragmatic nature of her work, whether in consulting or her previous roles in banking.

"I like a good mess – and I’m rather agnostic about the industry I get to clean it up in," shes says.

"I remember being an executive and raising the same set of concerns or asks then having a consultant come in and repeat the narrative to gain traction. It was frustrating; but sometimes it took an outside voice to get things moving. I take that role very seriously now on the advisory side."

She enjoys being the outside perspective that an external advisor brings in to an organization in a challenging situation. Though not everyone may agree with tough decisions at first, Robb is always ready to push for the best course of action to help her executives shine.

"I am acutely aware of the pressure leaders face and the gap that often exists between strategy and execution," she reflects.

"I can bring an objective perspective, proven approaches, and experienced teams – but still operate with the pragmatism of someone who is accountable for results. We’ll get it done and we’ll still like each other at the end of it."