Tag: Great Women in Compliance

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Ethics Lessons from Australia’s Accounting Scandals

For this #GWIC roundtable episode, Lisa Fine and Ellen Hunt spoke with two renowned experts, Francine McKenna and Ursula Schmidt, about what Ethics & Compliance professionals should learn from recent accounting firm scandals in Australia.

Listen in as our guests help us unravel:

  • why similar scandals keep happening,
  • how the incentives and pressure at play in these scandals are universal,
  • the important role that culture plays,
  • how auditors and others should live up to their professional standards, and
  • why we still ignore those that bring issues forward.

There are lessons in these scandals for every #Ethics and #Compliance professional on how to improve your culture and program. A huge thank you to Francine and Ursula for sharing their insights, expertise, and wisdom with us.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Curiosity at the Complexity Café

Career journeys are rarely linear—and sometimes our most valuable lessons come from the unexpected turns.

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, co-host Dr. Hemma Lomax sits down with Amybeth Garcia-Bokor to explore a career spanning public service, legal and compliance leadership, and an inspiring pivot from law to baking before returning to the profession with a renewed perspective. Together, they discuss how curiosity, resilience, and thoughtful leadership help compliance professionals navigate increasing complexity while building trust and enabling better decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why judgment is one of the most important capabilities in modern compliance.
  • How an unconventional career path can strengthen leadership and perspective.
  • The evolution of compliance from enforcement to strategic business partnership.
  • Building cultures where curiosity, learning, and open dialogue thrive.
  • Leading confidently through ambiguity without sacrificing integrity.
  • Preparing compliance programs—and ourselves—for a future shaped by constant change and AI.
Bio

Amybeth Garcia-Bokor is a leader who helps organizations navigate complexity, build trust, and make sound decisions where strategy, governance, and innovation intersect. Her career spans government, private practice, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit organizations, giving her a distinctive perspective on how organizations grow, manage risk, create lasting value, and innovate responsibly in rapidly evolving environments. She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Legal and Compliance at Emergent, where she helps shape the governance of the emerging global market for forest carbon finance.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Paula For the People: Let Go to Reach Further

What does it look like when your job title and your soul are perfectly aligned? For ethics & compliance officer Paula Young, the answer has always been simple: it’s about the people.

In this conversation, Paula Young and Sarah Hadden dive into what it really means to lead with humanity—how she earned the nickname “Paula For the People,” why she believes compliance is less about rules and more about winning hearts and minds, and what it took for her to stop being the person everyone handed work to and start being the person everyone looked to for vision.

A moment that has stayed with me is Paula’s story of a mud run she almost didn’t do. Standing at the base of a wall, covered in mud, holding on with everything she had—until her cousin screamed from the top, “You have to let go.” What she learned in that moment has carried her through divorce, reinvention, and every transition since.

We also talk about her work with Junior Achievement; her involvement with What Moves Her—a community that empowers women in leadership; and where she finds herself now: in a season of listening, learning, and gathering the courage for whatever comes next.

This episode begins cold—no introductions, no small talk—just Paula, at her most authentic, telling us exactly why she loves what she does. Enjoy.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Culture is What Happens When No One is Watching

Culture is one of those topics in ethics and compliance that everyone talks about—but it’s also one of the hardest things to define and even harder to build. At Compliance Week, Lisa Fine discussed this with Amy Schuh, partner at Morgan Lewis; Kilby McFadden, Managing Director and Head of Investigations at KPMG; and Michael Ortwein, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant General Counsel at GM. Today, Amy and Kilby continue the discussion with Lisa Fine and Sarah Hadden.

They start by discussing what they see as a strong compliance culture. As Kilby says, it’s what happens when no one is watching. The conversation focuses on how organizations move beyond policies and training to build trust, encourage employees to speak up, and empower leaders to make ethical decisions—even when those decisions are difficult.

Amy and Kilby share practical insights from years of experience leading investigations and advising organizations, discussing who really owns culture, how companies can create trust in the reporting process, and why relationships with the business matter just as much as policies and procedures. They also explore the challenges of building a consistent culture across global organizations and offer ideas for strengthening culture even when resources are limited.

They also include key takeaways for compliance professionals, such as the importance of listening, staying curious about the business, and building relationships before issues arise, and each shares one “myth” about Ethics & Compliance they think should be debunked.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Seeing Compliance from Every Angle with Billy Jacobson

On this episode of Great Women in Compliance, Lisa is joined by a true “Great Gentleman in Compliance,” Billy Jacobson. Billy has been a leader in Ethics and Compliance for many years, as a prosecutor, a former DOJ Fraud Section leader, Chief Compliance Officer at Weatherford, and at private law firms, now as a co-founder of Jacobson Lopez,  a boutique law firm helping clients navigate ABAC, anti-money laundering, fraud, investigations, and compliance.

Lisa and Billy discuss what he has learned from these varied roles and apply this to how compliance professionals should navigate today’s evolving enforcement environment. He also shares his reasoning as to why organizations should remain committed to strong programs regardless of enforcement trends and the challenges of maintaining resources in a changing business climate.

Billy is an expert in the internal investigation space and shares his view on how AI and technology are reshaping internal investigations, why human judgment remains essential, and the importance of balancing efficiency with relationship-building across an organization.

This episode is not only helpful in thinking about your programs and the current global enforcement environment but also a reminder that you never know when you meet people—Lisa met Billy in student government in her first semester of college, and they are now talking about ethics & compliance years later.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Raising the Bar on Compliance Training

What makes compliance training actually work in 2026? It has come a long way from the days when simply having a training program was considered enough. In this episode, Lisa talks with Kirsten Liston, CEO and Founder of Rethink Compliance, to discuss how expectations for compliance training have evolved over the past two decades and what organizations should be thinking about today. Kirsten discusses her experience in the compliance learning space and shares insights from her recent white paper, “Raising the Bar: A New Standard for Compliance Training.” She reflects on the best ways to create training that is engaging, relevant, and capable of driving real impact in organizations of any size.

Kirsten and Lisa discuss the growing focus on engagement and effectiveness, the challenges of reaching global audiences while maintaining consistency, and the importance of helping employees understand why ethics and compliance matter rather than focusing on the rules. They look ahead to the role AI plays now and will play in the future of compliance learning and why, even as technology advances, human-centered communication remains essential. This conversation offers both a look back at how the field has changed and practical insights for compliance professionals seeking to ensure their training programs continue evolving to meet their unique organizational needs.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Wildly Effective, 10 Years Later

Author and compliance professional Kristy Grant-Hart on the 10th anniversary of her book. 

Sarah Hadden sits down with Kristy Grant Hart to discuss the 10th anniversary edition of her influential book, How to Be a Wildly Effective Compliance Officer. They explore how the compliance profession has evolved over the past decade — from a rules-and-regulations mindset toward a more human-centered approach grounded in influence, resilience, storytelling, and leadership.

They also dig into some of the book’s more debated ideas, including personal branding, visibility, networking, and whether being “wildly effective” requires becoming an influencer.

Along the way, they tackle burnout, resilience, AI’s rapidly expanding role and why human judgment remains irreplaceable. This is a candid and energizing conversation about what it really takes to thrive in compliance today — and why the future of the profession is bright.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Clarity, Confidence, Results: Women Over 50 at Work

In this episode, Sarah Hadden and Caveni Wong explore the unique strengths women over 50 bring to today’s workplace—and why those strengths are often overlooked.

Drawing on a career that spans consulting, sales, and ethics & compliance leadership, Caveni reflects on the power of experience, the value of judgment and relationship-building, and the kind of leadership that doesn’t rely on title or authority. They talk candidly about nonlinear career paths and what it means to reach a stage where you can choose what’s next with clarity and confidence.

Along the way, they find an unexpected metaphor in sourdough bread—patient, resilient, and built over time—much like the careers and capabilities we develop across decades.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Reflections on Investigations, Culture and the Future

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, Lisa Fine speaks with Becky Rohr, Chief Compliance Officer and Head of Investigations at Ericsson. Becky talks about how her career journey led her to join Ericsson during a monitorship to strengthen their investigations function.

To do that, she focused on conducting fair, thorough, and efficient investigations, enhancing investigator training, and improving processes for collecting and reviewing digital evidence within a global organization. This led to her being named Chief Compliance Officer at Ericsson and to the benefits of integrating investigations and compliance.  Not only did this lead to the continued evolution of their compliance function, but it also connected hotline reports, investigations, and remediation by using creative approaches to reinforcing ethics at Ericcson.

Lisa and Becky also discuss how the Ericcson team has addressed workplace misconduct globally, sustaining compliance improvements after a monitorship ends, and the importance of leadership communication in maintaining a strong ethical culture.

The conversation also touches on culture change, addressing workplace misconduct globally, and how organizations can sustain strong compliance programs even after regulatory oversight ends.

Finally, Becky reflects on her decision to leave Ericsson and take a “power of the pause” moment before deciding on her next chapter—an approach that highlights the value of reflection and intentional career choices.

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Celebrating 300 Episodes of Great Women in Compliance: A Movement, Not Just a Podcast

Reaching 300 episodes is no small feat in the world of podcasting. It takes vision. It takes discipline. It takes community. Most of all, it takes purpose. The Great Women in Compliance (GWIC) podcast has reached that remarkable milestone, and it is worth pausing to celebrate what this achievement truly represents. This is not simply the longevity of a show. It is the sustained elevation of voices that has reshaped the compliance profession.

From its founding by Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley to its current hosting team of Lisa Fine, Hemma Lomax, Sarah Hadden, and Ellen Hunt, GWIC has become far more than a podcast. It has become a platform, a mentoring network, and a cornerstone of the compliance community. As part of the Compliance Podcast Network, I am proud to say it stands as one of the most impactful and influential voices in our profession.

The Vision of the Founders

When Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley launched GWIC, they did so with a simple but powerful idea: compliance needed more visible female leadership, more shared stories, and more authentic conversations. Compliance has long been a profession filled with talented, capable, and principled women. Yet historically, their voices were not always amplified equally. The founders recognized that gap and moved to close it.

They did not create a show focused narrowly on technical guidance. They created a forum for professional development, ethical leadership, resilience, career navigation, and community building. They humanized compliance. That matters because compliance is often framed in terms of policies, controls, investigations, and enforcement actions. Great Women in Compliance reframed the conversation around leadership journeys, decision-making under pressure, cultural intelligence, and personal growth. Three hundred episodes later, that founding vision continues to define the show.

The Evolution of Leadership

As the podcast matured, leadership transitioned in a way that mirrors the very principles the show promotes: succession, collaboration, and shared stewardship. Today, the podcast is hosted by Lisa Fine, joined by Hemma Lomax, Sarah Hadden, and Ellen Hunt. Each brings a distinct voice and perspective to the table.

Hemma Lomax contributes a global compliance lens, grounded in regulatory rigor and practical implementation. Sarah Hadden brings strategic governance insight and a board-facing perspective that resonates deeply with senior leaders. Ellen Hunt offers a powerful blend of ethics, integrity, and operational expertise that connects culture to controls. Lisa Fine is well, Lisa Fine, a woman who, along with Mary Shirley, changed the world of compliance.

This team dynamic demonstrates an important aspect of modern compliance leadership: it is not hierarchical. It is collaborative. The podcast models what strong compliance programs aspire to achieve internally: diverse voices, respectful dialogue, and shared accountability.

Why GWIC Matters

The question is not simply why the podcast has endured. The question is: why has it become essential listening for compliance professionals worldwide? There are several reasons.

1. It Elevates Role Models

You cannot be what you cannot see. Great Women in Compliance has consistently highlighted leaders at every stage of their careers, from emerging professionals to chief compliance officers. It has provided visibility to talent that might otherwise remain unseen outside corporate walls. That visibility matters for the next generation. Young professionals entering compliance hear real stories of career pivots, setbacks, ethical dilemmas, and leadership breakthroughs. They hear authenticity instead of perfection. That is empowering.

2. It Bridges Technical and Personal Development

Many compliance resources focus exclusively on regulations and enforcement trends. Those are important, but they are not sufficient. GWIC addresses the human dimension of compliance leadership. It tackles topics such as navigating difficult reporting lines, advocating for resources, handling burnout, negotiating compensation, and managing crises. In other words, it addresses the real-world challenges compliance professionals face daily. The result is a podcast that supports both competence and confidence.

3. It Strengthens Community

One of the most underappreciated aspects of compliance is its isolation. Many compliance officers operate in small teams or even as a “team of one.” They often carry heavy responsibility with limited internal allies. GWIC builds connections. Listeners hear their own experiences reflected to them. They gain practical advice. They gain reassurance that their challenges are shared. They gain community. In a profession defined by independence and integrity, community is a powerful counterbalance.

4. It Normalizes Ambition

There was a time when ambition in compliance, particularly among women, was often underplayed. GWIC normalizes aspiration. Guests openly discuss career advancement, executive presence, board interaction, and strategic leadership. They speak candidly about how to position compliance as a value driver rather than a cost center. That message aligns directly with where the profession is headed. Compliance is no longer confined to checking boxes. It is integrated into corporate strategy, enterprise risk management, and ESG initiatives. The podcast reflects that evolution.

A Platform Within the Compliance Podcast Network

GWIC is a proud part of the Compliance Podcast Network, and its success reflects the broader strength of that platform. The Compliance Podcast Network was built on the idea that compliance conversations should be accessible, practical, and forward-looking. GWIC exemplifies that mission. Within the network, the show occupies a unique space. It is simultaneously technical and personal, strategic and relatable. It broadens the conversation while deepening it. Three hundred episodes within a professional niche is not simply a number. It is evidence of sustained engagement, loyalty, and impact.

The Broader Impact on the Profession

Over 300 episodes, GWIC has done more than spotlight individual careers. It has shaped the culture of the compliance profession itself.

It has reinforced that:

  • Ethical leadership is not optional.
  • Diversity of perspective strengthens governance.
  • Mentorship is a professional obligation.
  • Authenticity enhances credibility.
  • Collaboration drives resilience.

These themes echo across boardrooms, regulatory agencies, and multinational corporations. The podcast has helped elevate compliance from a technical specialty to a leadership discipline.

The Power of Continuity

Longevity in podcasting requires consistency. It requires preparation, thoughtful interviewing, and disciplined production. It requires hosts who are willing to invest time week after week. Three hundred episodes represent years of commitment. The founders, Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley, established the tone and purpose. The current hosts, Lisa Fine, Hemma Lomax, Sarah Hadden, and Ellen Hunt, have carried that purpose forward with energy and professionalism. That continuity is itself a lesson for compliance programs. Strong initiatives endure when they are rooted in shared values and supported by collaborative leadership.

Looking Ahead

If the first 300 episodes were about visibility, empowerment, and connection, the next 300 will likely focus on influence. The compliance profession is evolving rapidly. Artificial intelligence, geopolitical instability, sanctions regimes, ESG reporting, and data privacy are reshaping risk landscapes. Compliance leaders must adapt while preserving integrity. GWIC is well-positioned to guide that conversation. The show will continue to highlight leaders who are not only responding to regulatory change but shaping organizational culture.

A Moment Worth Celebrating

Three hundred episodes is a milestone that deserves recognition.

It represents courage in launching something new.

It represents dedication to sustaining it.

It represents leadership in expanding it.

Most importantly, it represents community. GWIC has become essential listening because it speaks to the whole compliance professional, not just the regulator-facing expert, but the mentor, the strategist, the advocate, and the leader.

Congratulations to Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley for their vision. Congratulations to Lisa Fine, Hemma Lomax, Sarah Hadden, and Ellen Hunt for their stewardship. And congratulations to the broader compliance community for embracing a platform that has strengthened us all. Three hundred episodes in, the impact is clear. Great Women in Compliance is not simply a podcast. It is a movement.