Team size: 17

What has been the number one challenge that has impacted you over the past year?

Over the past year, my most significant challenge has been taking on the role of General counsel Peru and chief compliance officer for Latin America and Peru, while leading and managing the company’s legal defence in the aftermath of an unprecedented oil spill. This crisis occurred a mere 12 days after I took up my new position, further intensifying the complexity and implications of the situation. The crisis marked a pivotal point and was one of the most significant challenges faced by a Peruvian company in the last decade. Managing this crisis involved skilfully manoeuvring through a multi-faceted legal landscape that encompassed criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. Adding to the complexity was the task of restructuring the legal services team. It required my full attention and expertise to effectively oversee the company’s legal department, ensuring its smooth functioning in challenging times. With the unwavering support of a highly qualified team and the guidance of exceptional external lawyers specialising in criminal and environmental matters, we effectively addressed a variety of social and political claims and demands, as well as the concerns of multiple stakeholders. In addition to managing the legal aspects, we are dedicated to improving communication with our clients and support areas, providing an exceptional level of service.

Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

In the future, the role of in-house legal and compliance teams will be heavily influenced by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). By leveraging AI, in-house legal teams can conduct comprehensive legal research, contract analysis and due diligence more efficiently. These tools provide valuable insights that enable legal professionals to make informed decisions and proactively mitigate risks. In addition, AI-powered tools offer significant potential to automate compliance monitoring, data analysis and risk assessment processes, resulting in more efficient and accurate compliance management. By embracing technological advancements, such as regulatory technology and cybersecurity, in-house teams can streamline their processes, enhance regulatory compliance and improve risk management capabilities.

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?

A cause that holds deep significance to me is promoting gender equality and empowering highly qualified women to take on leadership positions, while maintaining a focus on professional excellence. I firmly believe that it is crucial to provide equal opportunities for people, regardless of gender, and to foster a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion. In my team we have a diverse group of talented individuals, consisting of fourteen women and three men. The composition of our team reflects our commitment to merit-based selection that creates an inclusive environment. There are two managers on my team, one of whom is a woman.

I am proud to be part of Repsol in Peru, a company that has taken significant strides in promoting gender diversity. For example, the Board of Directors of Refinería La Pampilla boasts a remarkable achievement with 43% female directors, aligning itself with European gender standards and setting an example within the energy sector in Peru. In addition, Refinería La Pampilla has achieved 40% representation of women in top executive positions, making it a notable benchmark in the national energy sector. These achievements demonstrate Repsol’s commitment to inclusion and create an inspiring environment that values talent and promotes equal opportunities.