Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?  

I am always looking for things that can make our processes more efficient, in that sense I strive to be aware of new tools that can make our work easier. In this case we wanted to improve our KYC onboarding processes, thanks to a meeting with a current provider, we discovered that the software they provide had capabilities that, if implemented, could speed up the process and reduce errors.  

Using the software allowed us to reduce the number of documents and signatures, reduced common errors in filling out forms, and made our filing process easier and more reliable at no additional cost. The changes were well received by the sales teams, and we also received positive feedback from customers.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?  

Yes, legal and especially compliance functions will evolve rapidly due to technology, processes and work that can be automated will be automated, freeing up time throughout the chain. This should allow general counsel (GC) to focus on strategic business and legal issues. We have seen over the last few years an increase in expectations for the GC role, GCs have to develop a different type of mindset as they are now required to contribute in fields that are outside the legal and compliance realm; GCs that are not prepared to leverage technologies to be more efficient will face difficulties in adding value from a business perspective.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, you are passionate about, and why?   

In the last 12 months I have led a project regarding voluntary savings for retirement, an important topic for the country and for Vanguard. I have always been passionate about the financial sector – it plays a key role in the development and growth of a country, to play that role the system must be efficient, and people need to understand it and use it properly. With an increasingly aging population, retirement systems have become increasingly relevant, even causing social crises like those we have seen in France.  

Thanks to this project I had the opportunity to work with México ¿Como Vamos? – a leading Mexican think tank. The first step of the project was to launch a study into the current state of retirement savings in Mexico. The study is an important first step, it is a powerful educational tool that has put the issue in the minds of key stakeholders. The success of the study has created opportunities to speak with regulators, legislators, and other market participants and we have seen a lot of interest in the topic. We hope this will lead to regulatory changes that promote retirement savings.  

This project is directly aligned with Vanguard’s mission – “to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.” We aim high by trying to create an ecosystem that improves the chances of all Mexicans to have a proper retirement.