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

The return to the office and all the changes related to the Covid-19 pandemic, for sure. Two years ago, we were all working from home. After more than 27 months of remote work, in July 2022, we returned to the office two days a week, which then became three. Five years ago, I would have never imaged that a bank legal department could be run remotely. However, during the pandemic we proved that we are resilient and adaptable both as lawyers and human beings, thriving and leading even though we were not physically in the same place. With the right tools, leadership, and commitment we were able to be as dynamic and innovative as the other departments of the company. Once back in the office, we had to re-adapt and re-learn how to be social and good corporate citizens, retraining ourselves in corporate manners while delivering results and support the business. Once again, we have proven our flexibility and resilience in front of uncertainties. I have no doubts that these challenges have made us more human, grateful, and strong.

In which ways have you attempted to bring the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

I consider myself as a strategic advisor who provides clear and actionable solutions to our business partners. From the onset, our legal department works with the products and business in understanding our clients’ needs, issues, and potential risks; we work together with them to provide solutions that meet legal and regulatory requirements, meeting our clients’ demand. My goal is to provide an added value to my business colleagues by working with them and understanding what they do and how they do it, and not only participating when they need a legal perspective. I actively take part in business forums and governance committees to understand where the company is going and where they need my support.

What are the most significant cases or transactions you and your team have been involved in?

At Citi Guatemala we continuously strive to support our clients in their most important transactions while increasing their presence in the region. Last year we supported the business in the issuance of a Guatemalan based bottling company’s USD $1.1 bn offering of its Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes where Citi acted as joint bookrunner, joint dealer manager and joint sustainability-linked bond structuring agent in this landmark transaction for the region. In addition, we also completed the digitalisation project for Latin America — which I co-lead — that emphasised the partnership between the legal, business and product teams in the different countries and jurisdictions in the region to bring forth the best digital products for our clients.