How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure organisational resilience?

Managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis requires a well-coordinated and adaptive strategy. Our approach is based on anticipating risks, maintaining flexibility, and ensuring clear and constant communication with all stakeholders. First, we activate our crisis committee, composed of key members from the company, including representatives from the legal, finance, communication, and operations departments. This committee meets regularly to assess the situation, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies. During these periods, it is crucial to maintain constant vigilance over government regulations and policies, as these can change rapidly in times of crisis. Our legal strategy is closely aligned with the broader business strategy to ensure organisational resilience. This means that in addition to managing legal risks, we also consider the impact on the company’s reputation, sustainability goals, stakeholder and customer relationships, and business continuity.

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

Unilever Chile has implemented various measures to integrate sustainability practices into its core operations, and the role of the General Counsel is crucial in driving and ensuring these sustainable practices. We have established strict internal policies that promote sustainability across all areas of our operations, including waste management, efficient resource use, reducing our carbon footprint, minimising plastic use, adopting renewable energy sources, and soon launching a fleet of 100% electric high-tonnage vehicles. We ensure compliance with these policies through regular audits and sustainability reports, which allow us to measure and communicate our progress.

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond complying with existing laws and regulations. We have set internal goals that exceed legal standards, driven by the conviction that it is our responsibility to lead change in the market. This approach has enabled us to set ambitious goals and raise industry standards. For example, in 2014, we committed to achieving ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ in all our global plants. We are proud that Chile was one of the first countries to meet this goal, successfully valourising all the waste generated.

Unilever has pioneered the creation and promotion of clean production agreements. Initially, what started as a small initiative has grown to include 50 companies with 100 adhered facilities. This initiative not only enhances our internal practices but also fosters collaboration between companies towards cleaner and more sustainable development.

The logic behind our collaboration and leadership is the genuine intent and a clear sense of purpose, not only the will to stand out. At Unilever, we believe that leading by example and motivating other companies to follow the same path is essential for achieving real impact. Although sustainability is not yet a priority at the regional level, Unilever Chile is driving a structural and organisational transformation. We strive to avoid greenwashing by focusing on concrete actions with meaningful impact, involving constant introspection to identify new areas for improvement and advance our cultural evolution toward more sustainable practices.

A notable example of our innovation is the implementation of Chile’s first 100% electric high-tonnage truck fleet. The legal department plays a vital role in creating and reviewing these policies, ensuring they not only comply with local and international legislation but also reflect the company’s commitments and values. In addition, we are involved in negotiating contracts with suppliers and business partners, establishing clauses that mandate sustainable practices and respect for human rights.

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?

At Unilever Chile, diversity and inclusion are fundamental pillars of our corporate culture, and this is clearly reflected in our legal department. For instance, having a young woman of 35 leading the team is rare in the industry. Unfortunately, young women are underrepresented in the legal field, and I am committed to changing that. In Chile, women’s participation on company boards is only 15%. To address this, we have established inclusive hiring policies aimed at attracting and retaining diverse talent, ensuring that our selection practices are fair and free of bias. To foster a more inclusive work environment, we organize regular workshops and training sessions on diversity and inclusion. These initiatives are intended to raise the importance of these values and how they can contribute to a more equitable and respectful work environment.