Sheila Marcella Romero Rodríguez      

Legal Manager

Ternova 

Team size:  Five

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

Legal lead and structuring and advising to Nneo Nejapa the most emblematic logistic project in Central America.  This logistic park is in Nejapa in El Salvador but due to its location connects the region with Mexico.  This project has recently been awarded with the national distinction of the “most emblematic project for 2024”. This project is relevant for the organisation since it represents the commencement of a new line of business that places Ternova corporation in a solid position in the real estate business.  Becoming a relevant an important player of this market represents a great achievement for the corporation since we become solid players not only in the plastic business (our main core) but also in new line of business.

Setting the fundamentals to lead the legal department from a traditional one to a Legal Ops.  This year we have made the diagnosis of all breaches we still have to become a department based on Legal Ops.  As a leader, I consider that legal departments need to become real business partners delivering services with operational excellence and client oriented.  Lawyers, we need to change our mind and start thinking in automatization and processes to gain efficiency in the services.  In other words, we need to learn new ways to deliver our service using technological tools such as IA, process automatization. This year I have created the plan to change the culture in the legal department to become a T shaped lawyer. 

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?

One of the fundamentals of our operation is doing sustainable business, therefore, Ternova is always focusing on sustainability matters such as:

 Having and updating a sustainability policy. Ternova is in constant change therefore always seeking to adapt the business to the new trends of sustainability.  We have a robust policy that also includes a sustainability committee whose members are always looking to analyse power and water usage efficiency, lowering.  Our corporation is always looking to gain the newest and most recognised credentials in sustainability matters.

Desing of packaging products that are easy to recycle, reuse using biodegradable and recycled materials.  To achieve this, Ternova is betting on a new and expanded R&D department.

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? 

In our legal department, we aim for fair treatment for male or female. I foster for an inclusive recruitment stated in a policy that binds Ternova to not make any questions that can be considered as discrimination, same positions are awarded with the same salary whether a men or woman, hiring qualified women for managing positions. Our hiring process is based on competences and aptitudes for the positions. As a leader of the legal team, I have managed to balance the team and have 50% of women and 50% of men providing them with the same opportunities to develop their career. I also aim to educate the team in equality, non-discrimination and ethical matters so Legal department can become the champion in this company in these matters.

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

As a woman I care for women empowerment and obtaining equal opportunities. I believe that women have gained the right to have the same opportunities under the same conditions. Being a woman and a lawyer, I seek to find methods, opportunities and ways to ensure that women are treated fairly in Ternova. However, I also foster for teaching women that empowerment is not having privileges just for being a woman but is having the opportunity to prove that we can develop with excellence a job or task managing being a mom, a wife or even a daughter under the same situation that a man does.