Thomas Dunlap
Founder and Managing Partner, DIACSUS
How long have you been active with ISITC?
Onto our fourth year now.
What boards, working groups, etc. do you / have you participated in at ISITC?
Co-Chair of the newly founded Private Markets Forum; Member of Conference Task Force, Reconciliation and Reporting, Reference Data and Standards, Regulatory, and ESG working groups/forums.
What do you consider to be the top benefits of being active in ISITC?
First and foremost is the opportunity to network with leaders and practitioners of data, operations, and technology functions at an industry level across the buy and sell sides. Second, ISTIC’s ability to influence and support targeted outcomes from its working groups and forums to the broader industry, including regulatory matters, across governance, standards, and capabilities that are for the good and betterment of the markets.
What is your role at DIACSUS?
I am the founder and managing partner. Together with my partner, Kirke Cushing, we operate the firm.
What do you find most exciting with your current focus at DIACSUS?
We are involved in core challenges and opportunities across the financial markets space, so there is never a dull moment. This includes client projects for transformation and integration needs, operational risk, regulatory changes, tech enablement (especially GenAI and LLMs), digitization, and all things data. Our clients include buy and sell-side firms within capital markets, fintechs, regtechs, private equity firms, and trade associations. One function I hadn’t expected to become part of our core offerings when we launched DIACSUS, yet it is: we are experts in performing value-added and credible commercial due diligence reviews, primarily on the buy-side. We have performed about 25 of these over the past four years.
What’s the most impactful career advice you received?
Without taking risks, you don’t know if you’ve been able to maximize your reward potential. Always have a backup plan, yet it is okay to take some calculated risks. This has helped me evolve into more senior roles at firms and was the driver that led me to launch DIACSUS. And I am very happy that I did!
Do you have a personal philosophy by which you live your life?
Do your very best, show empathy, be collaborative, and listen well to others. Leverage the power of “we” to achieve outcomes.