Legal and compliance director | Roche Pharma Caribbean, Central America & Venezuela (CCAV)
Juan Ignacio Zamora Montes de Oca
Legal and compliance director | Roche Pharma Caribbean, Central America & Venezuela (CCAV)
Juan Ignacio Zamora Montes de Oca
Legal and Compliance Director
Roche Pharma Caribbean, Central America and Venezuela
What are the major projects or initiatives you have worked on that you are most proud of?
Over the past year, the Legal Department has successfully delivered at least five high-impact projects, each demonstrating our strategic importance and commitment to excellence. These initiatives, crucial in both their nature and scope, highlight our ability to navigate complex challenges in a politically intricate region while aligning seamlessly with the organisation’s objectives.
Firstly, we spearheaded the comprehensive review and enhancement of compliance frameworks across the region, ensuring alignment with evolving legal standards. This initiative not only reinforced our operational resilience but also optimised our regulatory compliance.
In addition, we played a pivotal role in negotiating and finalising critical agreements for strategic partnerships with both public health entities and private organisations. These partnerships have expanded patient access to innovative treatments and diagnostic solutions, underscoring our impact on healthcare delivery.
Moreover, we led the update and implementation of corporate governance protocols, enhancing transparency and accountability in key operational areas. This step has been crucial in bolstering stakeholder trust and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.
Our ability to mitigate risk was also demonstrated through the successful resolution of high-stakes cases, which not only minimised financial exposure but also safeguarded the organisation’s reputation.
Finally, we provided essential legal insights to support the integration of sustainability initiatives, including ESG projects. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to long-term value creation and the embedding of sustainability into the organisation’s broader strategy.
Each of these projects exemplifies our department’s strategic foresight, operational agility, and dedication to driving meaningful results in alignment with the organisation’s mission.
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?
At Roche Caribbean, Central America and Venezuela (CCAV), we have made significant strides in integrating sustainability into our core business operations. Throughout 2024, we implemented several initiatives to ensure sustainability is embedded across all levels of the organisation.
Firstly, we developed a process to align our business strategy with sustainability objectives, ensuring that, alongside our business goals, we are also committed to creating social, environmental, and governance impact. This integration reflects our dedication to driving sustainable practices throughout the organisation.
Furthermore, sustainability at Roche CCAV is no longer treated as a siloed function. We have worked to embed sustainability into all departments and business areas, with Sustainable Strategy Product Owners appointed in key departments such as disease areas, operations, people and culture, and legal and compliance. This cross-functional responsibility ensures that our sustainability goals are aligned across the organisation, guiding decisions and actions at every level.
To foster a culture of sustainability, we have also implemented training and awareness campaigns for employees at all levels. Sustainability objectives are now integrated into the strategy and priorities of each department, making the achievement of these goals an integral part of the annual performance and compensation reviews, reinforcing their importance across the organisation.
Finally, our sustainability efforts are governed by a steering committee, with regular reviews conducted by the Enabling Team. We ensure accountability and transparency with our stakeholders through annual sustainability reports that adhere to Global Reporting Initiative standards, showcasing our progress and reinforcing our commitment to responsible business practices.
These initiatives highlight our commitment to sustainability and demonstrate how the role of the general counsel is essential in driving and ensuring the implementation of these practices across the company.
What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you care about, and why?
A cause that deeply resonates with me is ensuring that patients have timely access to innovative, high-quality treatments. This passion stems from a deep recognition of the profound impact healthcare accessibility has on both individual lives and society as a whole. My commitment to this cause aligns seamlessly with Roche’s sustainability strategy, which places a strong emphasis on expanding access to healthcare innovations and diagnostic tools.
At Roche, we prioritise early diagnosis and foster partnerships that enhance navigation through healthcare ecosystems. A prime example is the Patient Navigation Program, which simplifies the referral process for patients with critical conditions such as cancer. Additionally, initiatives like the Early Screening Programs for diseases such as lung cancer further reflect our organisation’s vision of empowering patients to receive timely, accurate care.
By focusing on these objectives, we not only improve patients’ quality of life but also contribute to building resilient healthcare systems. Advocating for equitable access to innovation is crucial in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status, can benefit from life-saving treatments. This mission is not only a professional endeavour for me but also a deeply personal one, as I am committed to creating lasting societal value by improving lives through healthcare.