Maria Hortensia de la Peña – GC Powerlist
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Netherlands 2025

Consumer products

Maria Hortensia de la Peña

Legal Counsel | Inter IKEA Systems

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Netherlands 2025

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Maria Hortensia de la Peña

Legal Counsel | Inter IKEA Systems

What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?

The projects I am proudest of working on are the ones focused on updating and reorganising processes to make them more efficient, both in terms of internal collaboration and our interactions with external stakeholders. A key priority has been refining agreements to align them to current evolving technological landscapes and optimising workflows. These improvements have allowed us to strengthened relationships across teams and have also contributed to a more efficient way of working.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

The opportunity to study and work in many countries has given me a diverse range of experiences, not only in relation to my legal career, but also in understanding different cultures and ways of working. This international exposure has been invaluable in navigating cross-border legal issues, building relationships with people from various backgrounds, and adapting to different business environments. It also gave me the ability to approach legal challenges with a broader perspective, considering both the technical aspects and the human and cultural elements that influence decision-making.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

I believe that modern in-house counsel need to have more than just legal know-how. They should really understand the business and be able to manage relationships with stakeholders, turning legal challenges into practical solutions and building strong partnerships. Some other attributes are adaptability, strategic thinking, and clear communication. Plus, it is very important to see new technologies as allies: they can make legal processes more efficient, improve decision-making, and ultimately help the business perform better.

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