Career Biography
Ricardo Zuñiga
Manager, Legal Affairs and Data Protection Officer LATAM
FOUNDEVER

Ricardo serves as the Manager of Legal Affairs and Data Protection Officer for FOUNDEVER, one of the largest and leading global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies. In his dual role, he handles highly complex legal matters related to commercial and technology contracts, including software licensing, SAAS, and other sophisticated tools. Ricardo provides legal counsel to multiple business partners across various departments such as IT, Administration, Operations, Human Resources, Finance, and Tax, while ensuring compliance and strategic management of the Free Trade Zone System. He also leads investigations that involve issues surrounding personal data, privacy, security, and technology.

As the Data Privacy Officer for LATAM, Ricardo contributed to the creation of the company’s Global Privacy Program and continues to oversee its implementation and raise awareness across the region. He conducts privacy assessments of high-tech tools and systems, reviews contracts, handles data subject requests, and addresses other related matters. Collaborating closely with the business and information security teams, he ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and resilience of personal data, while staying updated on cutting-edge technological developments. Ricardo also supports Brazil in all privacy-related matters.

Before joining FOUNDEVER, Ricardo served as Coordinator of the OECD Forum and Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, where he led the preparation of the country’s strategic plan for enhancing its relationship with the OECD. He also held the position of International Tax Services Manager at one of the Big Four accounting firms and was tasked with leading the firm’s tax practice opening in the Dominican Republic.

Ricardo is a licensed attorney from the University of Costa Rica, where he graduated with honours. He holds a Master in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Economic Development from Harvard University, and a Master of Laws in Communications and Technology Law from McGill University. He also holds a Diploma in Enterprise and Investment Law from the International Development Law Institute (IDLO) in Rome. A scholarship recipient from both Harvard, McGill University, and IDLO, Ricardo is fluent in Spanish and English, with professional working proficiency in Portuguese.