In these challenging times, risk management plays a critical strategic role for financial institutions and other industries. The stakes are higher than ever, and one poor decision can have a seismic impact on a company’s bottom line. Risk officers must have the political skills to navigate and manage complex relationships with regulators, boards, the C-suite, and other external shareholders. They must have the business acumen to monitor cash flow, oversee business operations, and model potential outcomes. And they must have the strategic foresight to implement plans that qualify acceptable levels of exposure and minimize business losses.