Boise, ID – The Inner Circle recognizes Echo Payton-Brown as an Inner Circle Lifetime Member for her enduring contributions to risk management, governance, and leadership across banking and business sectors. With a career shaped by discipline, service, and strategic insight, she continues to influence how organizations approach safety, resilience, and long term growth.
Currently serving in a new role as a Fractional Chief Officer at Protecht, Ms. Payton-Brown advises organizations on strengthening risk frameworks, operational resilience, and enterprise governance. In this capacity, she partners with executive teams to deliver strategic risk insights, align governance structures, and implement scalable controls that support sustainable performance.
Ms. Payton-Brown brings more than two decades of experience spanning enterprise risk management, financial services, and strategic consulting. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles in enterprise risk management and spent a decade in financial risk consulting at KPMG LLP, where she supported organizations in building comprehensive risk taxonomies and governance models.
A former leader in the U.S. Army, Ms. Payton-Brown credits her military service with shaping the disciplined and mission driven leadership style that continues to define her work. Her background blends finance, technology risk, and strategic oversight, allowing her to guide organizations through complex and evolving risk landscapes.
She holds a Master of Education from the University of Idaho and has maintained professional affiliations with organizations including the American Bankers Association, the Risk and Insurance Management Society, and the Project Management Institute. A recognized voice in the field, she has presented at national conferences on governance, third party risk, and enterprise strategy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Payton-Brown is committed to mentorship, financial literacy initiatives, and supporting veteran transitions. She also brings a creative dimension to her work as a musician and artist and credits key mentors for shaping her journey.
Looking ahead, she aims to expand her impact through strategic advisory work, including advancing responsible AI integration and risk education initiatives for growing organizations. Her leadership philosophy centers on building resilient systems that empower people and organizations to thrive.
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