About the Collective
Calhoun Compliance & Risk Collective was founded on a simple belief: organizations deserve more than advice—they deserve experienced partners who understand the regulatory environment, appreciate the realities of running a business, and know how to turn complex challenges into practical solutions.
We bring executive-level compliance and risk expertise to banks, mortgage companies, fintechs, and financial institutions that need experienced leadership, a fresh perspective, or additional capacity to move critical initiatives forward.
Meet Sharmyn Calhoun
Founder & CEO
Sharmyn Calhoun is a seasoned compliance, risk, and banking executive with extensive experience leading organizations through regulatory complexity, transformation, growth, and change.
Her career spans banking, mortgage lending and servicing, enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and financial services. She has served in executive leadership roles including Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer and has built and led compliance and risk programs within complex regulated organizations.
From working directly with regulators and navigating examinations to building Compliance Management Systems and Enterprise Risk Management frameworks, Sharmyn brings something different to consulting: she has actually sat in the chair.
She understands the responsibility of advising executive leadership and Boards, leading teams, managing regulatory expectations, and balancing strong risk management with the realities of running and growing a business.
Sharmyn's experience crosses multiple areas of financial services, giving her the ability to see risk from more than one perspective.
Her expertise includes:
Compliance Management Systems
Enterprise Risk Management
Regulatory Examination Management
Banking & Community Banking
Mortgage Origination & Servicing
Fintech & Emerging Financial Products
Fair Lending & Consumer Protection
CRA & Community Impact
Third-Party & Vendor Risk
Regulatory Licensing & Readiness
Policies, Governance & Risk Assessments
Executive & Board Advisory
Why I Founded the Collective
After years in executive compliance and risk leadership, I saw the same challenge repeatedly: organizations often need seasoned, executive-level expertise without necessarily needing another full-time executive.
I created Calhoun Compliance & Risk Collective to fill that gap.
Our approach is hands-on, practical, and straightforward. We don't simply identify what's wrong and hand you a report. We work alongside your team to understand the problem, develop the solution, and help get the work done.
Sometimes what an organization needs most isn't another opinion. It's a fresh perspective from someone who has been there before.
Leadership lessons don't only happen in executive meetings.
Sharmyn's leadership experience extends well beyond traditional compliance roles. She holds a Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law and has been recognized for high-performance team leadership and community service.
She is also a United States Air Force veteran whose military service helped shape an approach to leadership grounded in accountability, discipline, service, and getting the mission accomplished.
Outside the boardroom, Sharmyn is an entrepreneur, ranch owner, animal advocate, wife, mother, and grandmother. Ranch life has reinforced many of the same principles she brings to her professional work: stay curious, be willing to adapt, take care of your people, don't ignore problems, and never be afraid to roll up your sleeves when there's work to be done.
Different environments. Same philosophy.
Beyond the Boardroom
Let’s Start the Conversation
Whether you're preparing for an examination, strengthening your compliance program, building an ERM framework, launching a new financial product, navigating regulatory change, or simply need an experienced executive perspective at the table, Calhoun Compliance & Risk Collective is ready to help.
Guidance. Integrity. Confidence.
That's what we bring to every engagement.