Team size:    Seven

  What are the major projects or initiatives you have worked on that you are most proud of?

Restructuring a legal department for the entire LatAm region by adjusting efficiencies with less resources. This was for me a significant undertaking, with positive outcomes that makes me feel very proud. I did my best to promote a culture inside the LatAm Legal Department based on respect, collaboration, teamwork, open communication, more work life balance, promoting a more equitable workplace through the incorporation of more female lawyers, and fun, by breaking down silos in which ideas, expertise, opinions are openly shared, taking into account and guiding those opinions properly but always making sure that those ideas connect with business objectives and high demands but working adhere to our global contract policies, respect and work ethics.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Fresenius Medical Care is committed to embedding sustainability into our core business operations, particularly in the sale and development of medical devices for renal therapy not only for the business success but also for the communities and for the patients that receive Fresenius Medical Care products and with my position, I play a critical role driving and ensuring sustainable practices across the organisation in LatAm mainly focused by ensuring that our contracts with suppliers and customers include clauses that promote sustainable practices,

compliance with regulations and laws relating to our operations and products ensuring that we adhere to both local and international standards to mitigate legal risks.

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment? 

A diverse and inclusive legal team not only reflects the communities we operate but also enhances our decision-making processes and legal strategies. To achieve this, I implemented an open and reciprocal feedback that allows the entire team (including myself) identify areas of improvement and measure our progress in time, ensuring that our practices are always, up to date, relevant, effective and complying with our local laws.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently?

After the general election of July 1st, 2024, fortunately the Republic of Panama remains as a right-wing country, with an open economy (only ruled in public services) with high confidence in the Private Sector and an estimation of a GDP growth of 5 % for the end of 2024 (pursuant to the World Bank) that provides political and economic stability; for sure, there are areas like debt rates as well as fiscal deficit that need to be properly reviewed and will be improved by the implementation of changes in economic and public policies by the new elected government.

After the global pandemic that affected the entire globe with the challenges that all countries faced (health and financial resources), Panama now has mainly focused on economic recovery in certain areas such as the strategic and globally important role of the Panama Canal and the increase of vessels transit, banking and financial sector, foreign investments (including real estate), booming of tourism and extensive infrastructure projects (transportation mainly, expansion of the Panama City Metro- Subway).