What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

One standout project was my close partnership with the business to successfully lead global restructuring initiatives in the APAC region. These changes impacted not only valued colleagues but also my own team. Collaborating at the Global Legal Leadership level, we drove positive transformations in our work processes, priorities, and purpose. Key outcomes included embedding Agiloft’s end-to-end contract management system, consolidating global service providers, aligning departmental time with risk levels, and improving project allocation across the team.

What innovations have you made to the way your legal team works in the past year?

Our proudest achievement was launching a global contract lifecycle management system, embedding over one thousand agreements in six months across seven languages. This transformative project earned my colleague Susan Zagorski the Agiloft Pacesetter Award, highlighting its remarkable success and impact.

Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

Listen, learn, and understand before offering solutions—apply the law to support business, not force business to fit the law. Be an enabler, deeply engaged in business challenges, and act as a true partner, not just a legal advisor.

Which political, economic or regulatory changes have impacted your work the most in the past year?

This year, we’ve navigated significant shifts, from evolving data privacy laws to geopolitical tensions and the emergence of employee rights like the right to disconnect. Rather than pinpointing one challenge, we’ve embraced agility to manage risks and adapt swiftly in this ever-changing landscape.

We are now living in a changing geopolitical environment, with increased sanctions and export controls over the past two to three years. Does this affect your work, particularly regarding your risk management duties?

Yes, the evolving geopolitical environment, with increased sanctions and export controls, has significantly impacted our work. My team and I now take a more intentional approach to risk management, expanding beyond traditional risk profiles to address these emerging challenges effectively.

Apart from legal matters, has the team worked on other company initiatives you would like to highlight?

Beyond legal matters, our team has played a key role in implementing a global contract lifecycle management system and fostering global virtual connections that promote mindfulness, self-care, healthy eating, and overall wellness. Additionally, we’ve actively partnered on DEI initiatives and sustainability mandates. These efforts not only enhance operational efficiency but also cultivate an inclusive workplace culture, reflecting our dedication to meaningful organisational change.

How do you motivate and manage the other members of your legal team well?

I motivate my legal team by openly recognising their efforts, fostering collaboration, and encouraging open dialogue. I give them autonomy while balancing discipline with compassion, always having their back. This approach not only inspires the team but creates an environment where they feel valued and empowered.

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

I am deeply passionate about empowering the next generation, particularly women, to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. Lacking female role models during my own journey, I strive to share my experiences and achievements through platforms like LinkedIn and speaking engagements. I firmly believe in the mantra, “I can be what I can see,” and hope to inspire others to reach for the stars with courage and confidence.

Are the effects of AI on the legal world overplayed, or underplayed?

The effects of AI on the legal world are both overplayed and underplayed. While there’s significant buzz surrounding its potential, the actual integration into our work has been slow and cautious. However, I remain optimistic that the legal profession will eventually embrace AI, leveraging its benefits while also taking the lead in addressing the ethical and legal risks that arise from its use.