About
Vilija Vainaite is a highly skilled AI Consultant with a successful track record in delivering process optimisation, innovation-driven risk management, and responsible automation projects across various industries, with a focus on Financial Services, Security, and Technology & Telecommunications. Specialising in AI/ML-based solutions and project management, she brings a blend of expertise in effective communication, problem-solving, and innovation.
Driven by a passion for responsible business solutions and a commitment to driving innovation, she holds a Master's of Science in Crisis & Security Management and a Bachelor's of Science in International Business Administration.
Her proficiency in risk management methodologies, innovation implementation, and quality assurance sets her apart in ensuring project success, combining Big4 consulting experience with technical and strategic skillset within the AI safety domain. She combines rigorous research methodology with pragmatic business sense, be it in building AI products or guiding strategic AI adoption.
Vilija focuses on delivering measurable outcomes that align with real-world needs. Open to consulting and advisory engagements where she can help organizations unlock the full potential of AI in safe and responsible ways.
EXPERIENCE WITH





Professional Experience
AI Safety Course Facilitator
Facilitating AGI Strategy course for international non-technical and technical audiences. Guiding the participants through the topics and frameworks of:
- •Incentive mapping, to understand the AGI race;
- •Kill chains, to analyse AI threats;
- •Defence-in-depth, to design appropriate interventions.
Helping stakeholders with varying levels of professional experience learn and apply AGI strategy concepts in their domains of expertise and interest.
Client Feedback
- Great at giving guidance.
- Did a great job with a diverse audience.
- Was super supportive throughout the process and gave additional guidance.
Consultant - Business Resilience
Drove AI adoption for crisis, trust, and reputation management, bridging technical and strategic teams:
- •Implemented process automation solutions for educational cybersecurity exercises;
- •Steered AI adoption in the Business Resilience team, improving cost efficiency and operational effectiveness;
- •Built a PoC automating Enterprise Risk processes using AI/ML (Python) and LLMs, streamlining data extraction, analysis, and visualisation.
Designed and implemented business continuity solutions (in line with ISO 22301:2019 and BCI GPG 7.0) across:
- •Financial Services;
- •Consumer;
- •Technology & Telecommunications industries.
Developed and rolled out risk management frameworks for international Financial Services clients, improving organisational governance; accountability; and decision-making processes. Supported national-level implementations of CERD and NIS2 directives.
Client Feedback
- Demonstrated excellent professional qualifications.
- Showed a high level of motivation and ambition.
- Technical abilities and practical thoroughness were highly appreciated by us and our clients.
Analyst - Quantitative Solutions
Combined technical fluency with strategic communication, driving successful clients outcomes:
- •Delivered secure data automation solutions for compliance projects;
- •Translated complex risk data for strategic decision-making within tax;
- •Integrated IT security and financial services knowledge for a C-Suite data management training.
Built automated data analysis pipelines (Python, SQL, Power BI) to support forensic insights and governance reporting, enabling better visibility and regulatory alignment for clients.
Managed internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Client Feedback
- Vilija is a true team player. She is always willing to collaborate and share knowledge with others, which has fostered a positive and collaborative work environment.
- It is an absolute pleasure to work with Vilija. Her professionalism, work ethic, and passion for data and technology are truly commendable.
- I highly recommend Vilija to any organisation looking for a skilled and dedicated professional. She is a valuable asset to any team.
Specialist - Treasury Operations
Combined strategic business assessments with financial analysis, developing:
- •Liquidity reports, data consolidation, insight communication to management;
- •Financial risk control, data analytics and visualisation materials (Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint), disseminated for company-wide financial data presentation;
- •Commodity trading (hedging, future contracts), currency swaps, ITS (treasury & risk management ERP system) understanding.
Client Feedback
- I was amazed by the speed with which Vilija was able to pick up her tasks and by the ease with which she managed to to overcome difficulties she faced.
- Despite the challenging nature of the job with a lot of time pressure, Vilija constantly managed to deliver strong results.
- I would describe her as a hard-working, loyal, and dedicated person. She establishes herself as a real team player who is willing to help out when needed.
Education & Certifications
A foundation built on rigorous academic training and continuous professional development
International Security and Intelligence programme
Deepfakes and Societal Resilience
Cambridge Security Initiative
M.Sc. in Crisis & Security Management
AI and Cybersecurity Governance
Leiden University
AI Programming with Python Nanodegree, Artificial Intelligence
AI/ML Programming
Udacity
B.Sc. in International Business Administration
Business & Global Affairs
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Professional Certifications
Industry-recognized credentials
Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
ISC2
CBCI (with Merit)
Business Continuity Institute
Certified Disaster Recovery Manager
PECB
AI Agents for Everyone and Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp
Udemy
Strategic Risk Management in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
University of Cambridge Online
AI Safety, Ethics, and Society (AISES) Course
Center for AI Safety
Future of AI Course
BlueDot
AGI Strategy
BlueDot
Technical AI Safety
BlueDot
Skills & Expertise
A comprehensive toolkit spanning technical implementation to strategic leadership
AI & Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning
- AI Governance
- AI Agents
- AI Safety
- Technical Safety
- Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Prompt Engineering
- AI Ethics & Responsible AI
Security & Risk Management
- Cybersecurity
- Security Operations
- Security Management
- Risk Management
- Business Continuity Management (BCM)
- Crisis Management (CM)
- Incident Response
- Threat Assessment
- Regulatory Compliance
Technical Skills
- Python (Programming Language)
- Digital Transformation
- Analytical Skills
- Data Analysis & Visualization
- Process Automation
- Technical Documentation
- MS Excel
- SQL
Strategy & Business
- Consulting
- Business Development
- Strategy
- Innovation
- Scenario Planning
- Stakeholder Management
- Market Analysis
- Strategic Roadmapping
Leadership & People
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Facilitation
- Teaching
- Project Management
- Team Building
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Executive Communication
Entrepreneurial Projects
A selection of impactful entrepreneurial projects within technology field. Each project demonstrates practical application of an interdisciplinary skillset to solve real-world challenges.
Co-Founder & European Strategy Lead at Encode Europe
Co-founded an AI ethics non-profit organisation from scratch, mobilising young people steer AI in a direction that benefits society through advocacy, education, and policy research. Leading the Executive Board and a community of 30 people, steering organisational strategy.
Impact:
Participating stakeholders in the EU AI Pact. Collaborations with Stop Killer Robots, the United Italian Societies, and other organisations within ethical and responsible technology sphere. Mentioned in The Guardian.
Co-Founder & Board Member for Business Development
Co-founded a cybersecurity non-profit organisation, addressing the shortage of talent in the Dutch and European cybersecurity markets, the need to improve cyber resilience on both national and international levels, and the current limitations in diversity and inclusion practices. Worked on strategic direction, external relationship management, and business development.
Impact:
Organised numerous workshops, featuring speakers from the NATO Cyber Security Centre, the AIVD’s cyber team, and EY's cyber experts. Hosted the global Women4Cyber conference, gathering hundreds of our European community members.
Get In Touch
Open to discussing new projects, research collaborations, speaking engagements, or consulting opportunities in the AI space. Let's explore how we can work together.
Book a Call
Schedule a 30-minute consultation to discuss your AI innovation, research or consulting needs
Schedule NowLocation
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Available for remote work globally. Oftentimes based in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Vilnius (Lithuania).
Availability
Open to AI consulting, research, innovation, and training engagements
Typically responds within 24 hours