I am more than beyond thrilled to announce the First Annual Compliance Podcast Network Agora Award for Excellence in Podcasting, a celebration that honors those who have used podcasting to elevate the compliance field, enrich our understanding, and inspire change. Why the moniker of the Agora Award? The Agora was the heartbeat of ancient Greek city-states, serving as a central gathering place for a wide range of civic activities. The Agora was the cultural, political, and social hub where citizens came together to exchange ideas, debate public issues, participate in decision-making, and stay informed about civic matters. In many ways, that is what podcasting has become today, and in the case of Lisa and Mary, they created an entire community of Great Women in Compliance.
The Agora’s significance extended beyond politics and commerce; it was a vibrant cultural center where art, religion, and education flourished. It was a space where people could experience the interconnectedness of every aspect of their lives, from governance and trade to philosophy and worship. The Agora symbolized the Greek ideal of civic engagement and the pursuit of knowledge, laying the foundations for many aspects of Western culture and democratic ideals that continue to influence societies today.
In other words, I cannot think of a better name for the Annual Compliance Podcast Network Award for Excellence in Podcasting. Moreover, I cannot think of any more qualified persons to be awarded this inaugural award than two trailblazers who have changed the world through podcasting: Mary Shirley and Lisa Fine, co-founders of the Great Women in Compliance podcast (GWIC).
Mary and Lisa saw a gap in the compliance podcasting world: a need for a space that celebrated, supported, and connected (great) women in compliance. In a few short years, their podcast has grown into a powerful community that crosses continents and connects professionals across disciplines. By highlighting women’s voices in compliance, they built a platform that is more than a podcast; it is a movement that champions diversity, collaboration, and leadership. They celebrated their story and journey with Great Women in Compliance in their book Sending the Elevator Back Down: What We’ve Learned From Great Women in Compliance.
Their contributions have inspired countless compliance professionals to think bigger, engage deeper, and connect more meaningfully with their work and peers. This year’s Agora Award recognizes the powerful content they have created, the community they have nurtured, and the doors they have opened for voices across the compliance spectrum. Indeed, while Mary has moved on in her compliance career, Great Women in Compliance continues to be as vibrant today, with Hemma Lomax co-hosting with Lisa and Ellen Hunt and Sarah Hadden hosting roundtable podcasts.
Mary Shirley said of the award,
Our aim to advance and empower women in the field of Ethics and Compliance and create a scalable knowledge-sharing opportunity for all was initially just an aspiration. Receiving this award is a heartwarming acknowledgment that our efforts, those of our esteemed guests, our production team, and supporters, have not been in vain or gone unnoticed. I believe that when one of our boats rises, all of our boats rise, and I know that the #GWIC team continuing to bring podcasts to the community and sending the elevator back down will continue to lift us all.
Lisa Fine said of the award,
When Mary and I started the Great Women in Compliance podcast, we wanted to amplify the voices of the extraordinary women in the Ethics & Compliance field, given that so many women had built the profession. We saw no women-led on the network, and we jumped in. I am so thrilled about what GWIC has become. The podcast launched a community and book, building many personal and professional relationships. And I am most proud of how it is constantly evolving, where we now have additions to our podcast team with Hemma Lomax, Ellen Hunt, and Sarah Hadden, and our GWIC emerita, Mary, to continue to uplift women and those who support women in Ethics & Compliance.
I hope that you will plan to join me on Tuesday, November 19, from 12 to 3 ET to celebrate Mary and Lisa and what they create, Great Women in Compliance. I will interview both Mary and Lisa about not only their experiences in creating GWIC but, equally importantly, other members, hosts, and guests from the Compliance Podcast Network.
- Reflections on the International Growth of Compliance Podcasting
Podcasting has evolved dramatically within the compliance profession, and compliance professionals worldwide have found value in this accessible format. The event will celebrate how podcasting has supported compliance globally, creating a community of listeners and contributors who share a commitment to ethics and integrity. I will honor two of the international podcasters, Ajay Shamdasani (Regulatory Ramblings, The Reglex Perspective and Heart of the Matter) and Jonathan Armstrong (Everything Compliance, Life with GDPR, Everything Compliance, TechLaw10) on the CPN about their experiences in podcasting from the international perspective. This panel will be from 12-1 ET.
- From the Beginning to 2024: The Evolution of Compliance Podcasting
The story of compliance podcasting is rich with innovation, perseverance, and passion. Co-hosts and presenters including Mike DeBernardis (The Corruption Files and All Things Investigations), Matt Kelly (Compliance into the Woods and Everything Compliance), Mike Volkov (Corruption Crime and Compliance, Why a Duck? and a founding member of Everything Compliance) and Karen Woody (Succession-the Final Season, The Woody Report, Classroom Insiders and Everything Compliance) have all been part of this journey, each contributing to a medium that makes compliance accessible, engaging, and impactful. Nick Gallo (FCPA Survival Guide, GalloCast, and The Ethics Experts) will interview these podcasters from 1-2 ET.
Why should you attend, and who should attend? This event is not simply for compliance professionals; it is for anyone who believes in the power of podcasting to educate, inspire, and connect. If you are interested in the intersection of compliance and media, eager to gain insights from leaders in the field, or passionate about corporate ethics and governance, this celebration is for you. You will walk away inspired by the voices actively shaping the future of compliance and motivated to engage with this evolving medium. Whether you are a seasoned compliance officer, a budding podcaster, or a student of corporate ethics, this is your chance to be part of a historic moment in compliance podcasting.
In honoring the power of compliance podcasting, we acknowledge its unique role in building a dynamic, inclusive, and informed community. The First Annual Compliance Podcast Network Agora Award celebrates excellence, commitment, and vision. Through their dedication and innovation, Mary Shirley and Lisa Fine set a standard that inspires us all. They remind us that podcasting isn’t just about broadcasting; it’s about listening, connecting, and creating a shared space for growth and change.
I hope you can join us. Register now and join us in recognizing the voices that are leading compliance today and paving the way for the future. Let us celebrate the conversations, insights, and leadership-defining compliance podcasting.
Registration and information are here. There is no charge for this event.
