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

Managing legal aspects during instability or crises requires a proactive, integrated approach that aligns legal strategies with broader business goals. By conducting proactive risk assessments, aligning with business objectives, ensuring compliance, communicating effectively, adapting contracts, prioritising cost-effective dispute resolution, engaging strategic external counsel, and continuously evaluating and improving our approach, we ensure that our legal strategies contribute to organizational resilience, growth, and long-term success. 

What are the main cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?  

We generate an integration between our CRM and ERP to automate the contractual process with clients who acquire access to our learning software to reduce costs and be more efficient with the contract generation process. This action has helped generate an annual recognition revenue of approximately US$9.5m for the first semester of 2024. Additionally, we maintained the guarantee and quality certificate to secure our clients’ information in our software according to the ISO 27001-2013 standard. 

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?  

Since 2021, we have been applying an Environmental and Social Policy Framework (the Framework) that is global for all our entities and applies to all our business operations in all jurisdictions. This Framework seeks to be consistent with the precautionary principle of “not harm”. We aim to comply with all applicable environmental, health, safety, and labor laws and regulations across our jurisdictions. Over time, we will seek to converge our internal policies and procedures to good international industry practices such as the IFC Performance Standards. 

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?  

Within our legal department, prioritising diversity and inclusion begins with strategic initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment. We have implemented several key initiatives.

Diverse hiring practices: we employ structured, unbiased hiring processes that focus on attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds. This includes using blind resume reviews and ensuring diverse interview panels.

Training and education: regular training sessions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) topics are conducted for all employees. These sessions cover unconscious bias, inclusive language, and cultural competence.

Mentorship and sponsorship programmes: we have established formal mentorship programs that pair junior employees, particularly those from underrepresented groups, with senior mentors who provide guidance and advocacy.

Sponsorship programmes support diverse employees in career advancement opportunities. Inclusive policies and practices: we continually review and update policies to ensure they promote inclusivity, including flexible work arrangements, accommodations, and equal opportunities for advancement.

Leadership commitment: senior leadership demonstrates visible support for DEI initiatives, setting goals and holding themselves accountable through DEI metrics and performance evaluations. 

These initiatives collectively foster a workplace where diversity is celebrated, inclusion is the norm, and every employee feels valued and empowered to succeed. 

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

In Colombia, several salient trends include:  

(i)political stability and the peace process: continued efforts to maintain political stability and implement the peace process with illegal armed groups  

(ii)economic recovery and growth: post-pandemic economic recovery efforts focusing on diversification and sustainable development 

(ii) legal reforms: ongoing legal reforms that can affect investor confidence, but also ar supposed to tackle corruption, and improve regulatory frameworks 

(ii) renewable energy: increasing investments and initiatives in renewable energy projects to reduce dependency on fossil fuels 

(iv) digital transformation: Accelerated digital transformation across sectors, including fintech and e-commerce, driven by expanding internet and AI penetration. 

These trends shape Colombia’s trajectory, emphasising sustainable development, legal reforms, and technological advancement amidst a challenging global landscape.