What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Over the past year, our legal team has undergone a regionalisation process across Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. This transition has represented a significant paradigm shift for our team and me personally, as we have embraced an integrated regional approach and positioned ourselves as facilitators of business. Our ability to adapt and navigate the challenges of the market has provided us with valuable negotiation experiences with clients and suppliers, allowing me to develop a strategic regulatory perspective through a comparative law lens.

In Chile, our legal team has been engaged in various noteworthy transactions and cases related to our core business of expanding and operating telecommunication towers. Additionally, we have explored creative and innovative solutions to venture into new areas such as indoor and outdoor antenna distribution systems and urban low-rise solutions.

Given the country’s rollout of 5G technology, we have actively participated in transactions focused on the implementation of telecommunications infrastructure and services to support the deployment of 5G networks. Collaborating with companies like WOM, Telefónica, Claro, and Entel, we have addressed specific regulatory, contractual, and compliance aspects to ensure the successful implementation of 5G in Chile.

Moreover, with the recent approval by the Chamber of Deputies of the bill recognising the internet as a public service, we anticipate that the telecommunications industry will be strengthened, alongside the necessary infrastructure required for this initiative to become a reality. In a country as geographically diverse as Chile, widespread connectivity significantly enhances our quality of life. As a part of American Tower’s legal team, we are committed to actively contributing to this transition, supporting it from start to finish.

What diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have you and your legal department been championing within your company’s endeavours?

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) is deeply ingrained in our company’s values and practices, evident at all levels of the organisation, including our leadership, Board, and executive team. To drive our DE&I efforts, we appointed a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer in 2021, who reports directly to our President and CEO. This role spearheads our DE&I strategy, fostering social change through the implementation of equitable best practices and initiatives to cultivate a global footprint and inclusive culture.

In Chile, we have made significant strides in promoting gender diversity. Currently, 41% of our managers are women. For over five years, we had a female Country Manager, and our Board of Directors, of which I have been a member since 2019, comprised solely of women for more than four years. Furthermore, in August 2022, we launched our WAATCH Community (ERG), which stands for ‘Women and Allies of American Tower Climb Higher,’ to further empower and support women in our organisation.

However, our commitment to diversity goes beyond gender. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of every team member, fostering a collaborative environment that respects individual differences. Another notable initiative at American Tower Chile is our inclusion of individuals with disabilities or developmental disorders in our teams. Since 2019, in collaboration with Best Buddies Chile, we have established a synergistic partnership that humanises our organisation and enhances our abilities to lead diverse teams.

These DE&I initiatives are integral to our organisational culture, promoting inclusivity, equality, and respect. We continue to strive for excellence in building diverse teams that embrace and celebrate differences, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

If existent, can you talk about you or your company’s efforts relating to renewability, sustainability or other environmentally friendly activities?

This is a subject that holds great personal importance to me and aligns directly with my academic background and professional experience. American Tower is a company that recognises the challenges posed by climate change to our assets, teams, and long-term business outlook. We have developed a robust Sustainability Strategy built upon three key ESG pillars: environment, social, and governance, all of which are aligned with the United Nations sustainable development goals.

In terms of environmental impact, we have made significant strides. In 2021, we adopted science-based targets (SBTs) to guide our global operations and supply chain. Our objective is to reduce direct scope 1 and indirect scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by a minimum of 40% by 2035, using a 2019 baseline. Additionally, we aim to reduce indirect scope 3 supply chain emissions by at least 40%.

Furthermore, we have implemented a comprehensive waste management program, with a particular focus on tower dismantling. Through this program, we prioritise waste reduction and reuse while ensuring responsible disposal through certified channels. In Chile alone, we have successfully managed 64 tons of waste to date.

Under the social pillar, we have implemented the Digital Communities program, which aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance access to essential services. These digitally connected spaces provide access to technology, digital literacy training, education, financial literacy programs, career skilling, and healthcare services. Since 2021, we have established eight digital communities in various regions of Chile, directly and indirectly benefiting over 2500 thousand individuals, with over half of the beneficiaries being women (52%).

These examples, coupled with a strong commitment to ethics and best practices that permeate every level of our organisation, make me immensely proud of my nearly five years at American Tower.