Tag: GWIC

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance – Holiday GWIC – tacular

Happy Holidays from the Great Women in Compliance podcast.  For the last episode of 2024, we wanted to share insights and some holiday cheer.  We all share some of our thoughts about the trends and developments in 2024, and of course, there is a focus on AI.  Sarah brings some news about CCI and their next phase, and Ellen reiterates her ongoing commitment to organizational justice.  We also shared some thoughts about 2025, and Lisa raised the challenges that global organizations will face with the various – and sometimes contradictory – regulations and laws from different countries.  The group shares some of our favorite GWIC moments of the year.

We also answered some pressing questions for the holiday season, including when to start playing holiday music and decorating; spoiler alert, there needed to be more consistency.  We share some of our favorite family holiday traditions, which include everything from listening to the Beach Boys Christmas album and updating a holiday Spotify playlist (Lisa), bringing British traditions for the family (Hemma), opening presents on Christmas Eve, and a chill day (Ellen and Sarah).  There were many laughs, and we offer a huge thank you to all of you, the #GWIC community.  We are so grateful for you all.

See you in 2025.

Thanks, as always, to our sponsor, Corporate Compliance Insights, and our wonderful #GWIC community.  You can join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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Blog

Lisa and Mary Changed the World: The Great Women in Compliance Community

In the world of compliance, where incremental victories often measure progress against pervasive risks, it’s rare to witness a revolution. Yet Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley have achieved just that. Through their groundbreaking podcast, Great Women in Compliance (GWIC), they did not just host conversations; they redefined what it means to foster a community. Alongside their book Sending the Elevator Back Down, they have created a legacy of empowerment, collaboration, and celebration in a field that thrives on shared knowledge and collective strength.

Lisa and Mary were recently honored for their work in creating GWIC, the GWIC community, and leading the development of an entire movement of women supporting other women in the worldwide compliance community. The Compliance Podcast Network named Lisa and Mary the co-winners of its first annual Agora Award for Excellence in Podcasting.

The Birth of Great Women in Compliance

The idea for Great Women in Compliance was sparked at an SCCE Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) event in 2018. As the story goes, Lisa and Mary approached compliance podcasting veteran Tom Fox with a simple yet bold observation: the Compliance Podcast Network needed more diverse voices. Tom, true to form, responded with a challenge: “When will you start a podcast?”

The rest is history. With no prior experience in podcasting, Lisa and Mary leaped, driven by a shared vision of showcasing women’s stories, insights, and challenges in the compliance profession. With support from mentors like Matt Kelly and colleagues across the compliance community, the duo recorded their first episodes. What began as a grassroots effort quickly became a cornerstone of the compliance industry.

Building a Legacy: The Podcast, the Community, and the Book 

  • The GWIC Podcast: Amplifying Women’s Voices

From its inception, the GWIC podcast stood out for its authenticity and relatability. Lisa and Mary adopted an informal yet insightful interviewing style, allowing their guests to shine. The podcast featured diverse voices, from seasoned compliance leaders to rising stars, and explored various topics, including leadership, career development, and the unique challenges women face in compliance. Their approach was not simply about storytelling but about creating a platform for empowerment. The podcast became a hub for listeners to gain practical advice, discover new perspectives, and connect with a broader network of professionals.

  • The Community: A Network of Support

The GWIC podcast inspired not only listeners but also catalyzed a movement. Recognizing the need for a dedicated space for women in compliance, Lisa and Mary launched the Great Women in Compliance LinkedIn group. This online community became a vibrant forum for networking, mentorship, and resource sharing. Through this community, women found mentors, job opportunities, and a sense of belonging in an isolating field. It also spurred the creation of dedicated women in compliance sessions at significant conferences, highlighting the widespread impact of Lisa and Mary’s vision.

  • GWIC: The Book – Sending the Elevator Back Down

In October 2020, Lisa and Mary released Sending the Elevator Back Down, a book that encapsulated their philosophy and amplified women’s voices across the compliance field. The book featured stories of triumph, resilience, and lessons learned from compliance professionals worldwide. The book was published by Corporate Compliance Insights and headed by Sarah Hadden, an early supporter of GWIC who continues her support of and participation in GWIC to this day. The title reflects their core belief: success is most meaningful when shared. By “sending the elevator back down,” Lisa and Mary encouraged readers to uplift others as they rise, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support.

Overcoming Challenges: Lessons from the GWIC Journey 

Lisa and Mary’s journey has not been without its challenges. As they readily admit, neither had technical experience when they began podcasting. They leaned on mentors and allies to navigate the technical aspects, demonstrating the power of community in achieving ambitious goals. Additionally, their differing styles, Mary’s free-form conversational approach, and Lisa’s structured format might have posed a challenge in less harmonious partnerships. Instead, they embraced their differences, allowing their unique strengths to complement each other.

Their journey also highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability. From launching the podcast to publishing the book during a global pandemic, Lisa and Mary consistently turned obstacles into opportunities.

The Impact: Changing the Compliance World

It is impossible to overstate the influence of Great Women in Compliance. Through representation and recognition, they have spotlighted the achievements of women in compliance. Lisa and Mary helped reshape perceptions of what leadership in this field looks like. GWIC has been a clearinghouse for professional development within the compliance community, as listeners and community members have reported finding mentors, gaining new insights, and even landing jobs thanks to connections made through GWIC.

Finally, GWIC, both the podcast and the community, has fostered a culture of inclusivity and support in compliance.

The Next Chapter

With 250 podcast episodes and a growing community, Great Women in Compliance shows no signs of slowing down. Mary has retired her co-host microphone and is now the ‘OG’ of GWIC. The GWIC podcast has expanded to include co-hosts Hemma Lomax, Ellen Hunt, and Sarah Hadden, ensuring the platform remains dynamic and inclusive. Lisa and Mary are also exploring the possibility of a second book, aiming to continue telling the stories that inspire and empower their community.

A Call to Action: Be the Change

For those who think you cannot change the world, I point you to Lisa Fine and Mary Shirley. They have proven that two women with a vision can. They built a legacy that empowers not just women in compliance but the entire industry worldwide. Their work serves as a reminder that creating meaningful change does not require a perfect plan, just passion, perseverance, and the courage to start.

Celebrating their achievements, we should all take their message to heart: success is amplified when shared. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply lending a listening ear, we all have the power to lift others as we rise. Lisa and Mary have sent the elevator back down. Now, it’s up to the rest of us to ensure it keeps moving.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance – Reflections and Resilience Through a Compliance Career with Karen Bertha

Welcome to the Great Women in Compliance podcast with Hemma Lomax and Lisa Fine, sponsored by Corporate Compliance Insights.   In today’s episode, Lisa speaks with Karen Bertha, who has built world-class programs throughout her career, most recently at V2X.   She has significant acquisition and post-acquisition due diligence expertise, including at V2X.  After that acquisition, she was at a crossroads and needed time to take stock and pause.

Karen reflects on her work with due diligence, including how and when compliance should be involved in due diligence.  They also discuss strategies for post-integration, even if compliance is brought at some point later.  Karen has worked in highly regulated industries, such as government contracting, and those not in highly regulated industries. She shares her experiences and lessons learned.

Karen left V2X after the acquisition when she needed time for herself and other parts of her life.  She talks about how the “power of the pause” has been helpful to her.  She talks about reflecting on her work in the Ethics & Compliance profession, increasing her learning, specifically in compliance-adjacent fields like Human Resources and audit, with time to focus.  She also shares what she has enjoyed during this time, which we at #GWIC hope can inspire those thinking about your next steps or between roles.

Join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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The Agora Awards for Excellence in Podcasting: How Mary Shirley and Lisa Fine Literally Changed the Compliance World

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.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Stephanie Weldy on The Art of Behavior Design

In this week’s episode, Hemma visits with Stephanie Weldy to discuss the science behind behavior design, with practical models and methods to unpack and design for influencing desired behaviors. Stephanie is an expert at the intersection of behavior design and employee wellness and chief of staff for Dr. BJ Fogg, renowned author of Tiny Habits, creator of Fogg Behavior Design, and a Stanford University behavior scientist. Tune it to learn how to design behaviors for impact at work and home and how to think about influencing behaviors in the context of your compliance function and beyond.

Highlights include: 

  • How to help people do what they already want to do and help them feel successful
  • The Fogg Behavior Model – Designing the coincidence of motivation, ability, and prompts to encourage enduring behaviors (B=MAP)
  • A system for drafting corporate compliance programs that have the impact of influencing human behaviors
  • Unpacking and analyzing existing habits or behaviors and designing modifications
  • Why New Year’s resolutions or policy aspirations might fail and how to leverage the ‘Motivation Wave’

Biography:

Stephanie Weldy, M.Ed., is an expert at the intersection of Behavior Design and employee well-being. She works with BJ Fogg, PhD, Stanford Behavior Scientist and NYT bestselling author of Tiny Habits, to teach industry innovators how to use Behavior Design in the products and services they are building to help people be healthier and happier.

Stephanie previously led comprehensive wellness programs in higher education, non-profit, and government settings. Stephanie practices what she teaches daily as a working mom to two tiny humans (ages 3 and 5).

She has a master’s degree in education in community Health and is a certified Wellcoach and Tiny Habits® coach.

Resources:

Join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Katharine Manning – Trauma-Informed Leadership at Work

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, Hemma visits with Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job, to discuss the role of trauma-informed leadership in our workplaces.

Tune in to hear stories of transformative approaches to culture and learn specific actionable techniques for empathy-driven leadership.

Highlights Include:

  • Katharine’s experience as a victim rights advocate
  • The conundrum of corporate communications during social unrest or tragic events
  • The LASER technique for trauma-informed interactions at work

Biography:

Katharine Manning is the President of Blackbird, which provides training and consultation on empathy at work. She is the author of The Empathetic Workplace: Five Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma on the Job, and teaches at American University and in the Master’s in Trauma-Informed Leadership Program at Dominican University. Her work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Newsweek, CNBC, Business Insider, Thrive Global, and CEOWorld. She has worked on issues of trauma and victimization for more than 25 years, including 15 years at the Justice Department, where she was a Senior Attorney Advisor consulting on victim issues in cases like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

Join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: 2024 SCCE CEI Wrap Up

This episode is a rare opportunity for #teamgwic to catch up in person at one of the key Ethics & Compliance events, the SCCE Compliance & Ethics Institute (CEI).  CEI was in Grapevine, Texas, and, as usual, was a great experience.

In this episode, Lisa, Hemma, Ellen and Sarah discussed their highlights from the event. The first keynote was from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, who announced revisions to the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs, and the group touches on this and the significance of the changes and having them announced at SCCE. There will be much more to come on this topic.  Each of the women discusses their favorite panels and some of the key takeaways they had, including discussions of DEI, controls, and how to work with Boards, as a few examples. They also sent their well-wishes to Nick Gallo, who was missed but, more importantly, is on the road to recovery.

One of the best parts of the conference is the opportunity to network and share best practices, and the whole group thought this year’s exhibit hall, and the format of the conference with longer breaks, allowed people to make great connections and have some in-depth discussions that don’t always happen when you are moving so quickly to not make a panel or event.  And the second morning keynote from Matt Friedman discussing his work in fighting human trafficking and modern slavery was moving and inspirational, a reminder of the importance of what we do every day with our due diligence and knowing our customers.

All in all, it was a great week of connections, learning and providing so much optimism for the contributions that ethics and compliance professionals make, and to connect (or reconnect) with the amazing people in our community.  If you were not able to attend, the team hopes this gives you a sense of the event.

#GWIC is proud to announce that it has been nominated for the WomenInPodcastAwards. This is a people’s choice award and whether you vote for #GWIC or other nominees, we ask that you send the elevator back down by voting. Voting closes October 1, 2024, and details can be found on the #GWIC LinkedIn page at http://www.linkedin.com/groups/12156164

Resources:

Join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Roxanne Petraeus and Susan Divers on Building a Listen Up Culture

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, Hemma and Sarah visit with Roxanne Petraeus and Susan Frank Divers to talk about intentionally building a “Listen Up” culture. Tune in to hear the powerful origin stories of two great women in compliance who have been moved to drive significant impact in this space, from enterprising business solutions, to innovative learning and development strategies, to thoughtful approaches to measuring culture and employee sentiment as a measure of success.

Highlights include the ways in which listening builds trust, how to measure impact, not activity, how to achieve integrated risk management, how to design your employee training with employee experience and employee sentiment in mind, and despite our aspirational claims to be building a strong speak up culture, how our employees will always be the actual arbiter of our success.

You can learn more about Roxanne and Susan’s work at www.ethena.com.

Biographies:

Roxanne Petraeus is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ethena, a compliance training platform startup with intuitive and powerful admin tools that make required training easy, engaging, and effective.

Roxanne previously consulted for McKinsey, and before that, she was an officer in the US Army. She found that no matter the setting, whether consulting or in the military, there remained an opportunity to make compliance training better. She started Ethena in 2019 with Co-Founder Anne Solmssen.

Ethena enjoys incredibly positive word of mouth within the HR community, and is trusted by thousands of companies like Figma, Notion, Noom, Pinterest, and Carta to provide actionable training. And the employees love it: Ethena has a 93% positive rating, and over 2M positive reviews. Roxanne is a natural leader, and her eagerness to question and reinvent old paradigms is at the heart of Ethena’s ascendance.

Susan Frank Divers serves as an advisor to Ethena, Inc., an all-in-one compliance training platform that helps companies create more ethical and inclusive work cultures. Prior to joining Ethena, she was the director of thought leadership and best practices for LRN Corporation for seven years.

She has 30+ years’ accomplishments and experience in the ethics and compliance arena. This expertise includes building state-of-the-art compliance and training programs, designing user-friendly means of engaging and informing employees, fostering an embedded culture of compliance, and sharing substantial subject matter expertise in anti-corruption, export controls, sanctions, and other key areas of compliance.

Prior to joining LRN, Ms. Divers served as AECOM’s Assistant General for Global Ethics & Compliance and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Under her leadership, AECOM’s ethics and compliance program garnered six external awards in recognition of its effectiveness and Ms. Divers’ thought leadership in the ethics field. In 2011, Ms. Divers received the AECOM CEO Award of Excellence, which recognized her work in advancing the company’s ethics and compliance program.

#GWIC is proud to announce that it has been nominated for the WomenInPodcastAwards.  This is a people’s choice award and whether you vote for #GWIC or other nominees, we ask that you send the elevator back down by voting. Voting opens August 1, 2024, and details can be found on the #GWIC LinkedIn page at http://www.linkedin.com/groups/12156164

Resources:

Join the Great Women in Compliance community on LinkedIn here.

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There is No ‘One Path’: Ethics and Compliance Education

In the ever-evolving field of ethics and compliance, one question remains: What kind of education do you need to become a great compliance officer? This topic was at the forefront of an episode of Great Women in Compliance. In this fascinating episode, hosts Hemma Lomax and Lisa Fine welcomed two guests: Barbara-Ann Boehler, Senior Director of Compliance and Ethics at Fordham Law, and Cindy Marsh, Senior Manager of Global Trade and Compliance at Victaulic, who shared their unique journeys and the educational paths they took.

Boehler has over 20 years of experience in financial services compliance. Before joining Fordham, she spent many years teaching compliance practice skills at Suffolk Law School and Boston University. Her extensive financial services and education background made her transition to Fordham a natural fit, where she now directs the corporate ethics and compliance program.

On the other hand, Marsh has been working in compliance since the 1990s, when the field was relatively unknown. Her career began in importation for an ocean carrier, and she is a licensed customs broker. To expand her knowledge, Cindy pursued a Master’s in Studies of Law (MSL) in Corporate Ethics and Compliance at Fordham. Her focus on trade compliance highlights the niche areas within the broader compliance field.

Boehler and Marsh underscored the significance of advanced studies in compliance. Boehler explained Fordham’s offerings, including a Master’s in Studies of Law for non-lawyers and an LLM in Corporate Compliance for lawyers. These programs are tailored to address the needs of highly regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, and human resources.

One key benefit of these advanced studies is learning from peers equally passionate about compliance. Marsh noted that being surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand and respect the nuances of compliance was an invaluable aspect of her education at Fordham. This community fosters rich discussions and a deeper understanding of complex regulatory issues.

The practical application of compliance education was another focal point of the discussion. Boehler highlighted the importance of capstone courses, where students can engage in real-world compliance scenarios. These courses are designed to be highly interactive, with students often leading the discussions based on their experiences and insights.

Marsh shared her experience with the MSL program, noting how it allowed her to delve deeper into areas of compliance she hadn’t previously explored. For instance, a crisis management class opened her eyes to the compliance aspects of public relations and crisis communication. This broadened perspective is crucial for compliance professionals navigating various challenges.

Both Boehler and Marsh emphasized the importance of community in the compliance profession. Boehler articulated how Fordham fosters community among its students, including lunch-and-learn sessions and networking events. These initiatives help students and alumni stay connected and continue learning from each other.

Marsh’s experience with her cohort, which she affectionately called “Compliance Force Five,” exemplifies the lasting bonds formed through the program. Her connections with her peers have been instrumental in her professional development, providing a support network beyond the classroom.

The compliance landscape constantly evolves, and educational programs must adapt to keep pace. Boehler discussed how Fordham continuously updates its curriculum to reflect the latest developments in the field. This includes adding new courses on emerging topics such as cannabis compliance and market regulation.

Flexibility is also key. Marsh praised Fordham for its responsiveness to student feedback, noting how the program has expanded to include more diverse subject areas based on student interests. This adaptability ensures the program remains relevant and valuable to current and future compliance professionals.

Not everyone can pursue a formal degree program, but there are numerous other ways to enhance one’s knowledge and skills in compliance. Both guests highlighted the wealth of resources available to those interested in the field, from podcasts and webinars to professional organizations and certifications.

The guests advised a thoughtful approach to those considering further education. Understanding one’s career goals and how a specific program aligns with those goals is essential. Boehler emphasized that the MSL program is ideal for those passionate about compliance, but there may be a better fit for someone aiming to become a litigator.

Both Boehler and Marsh’s experiences underscore the multifaceted nature of a career in compliance. There is no right or wrong path. Indeed, there is no One Path. Whether through formal education or ongoing professional development, the path to becoming a successful compliance officer is paved with continuous learning and community engagement.

This discussion offers valuable guidance for compliance professionals on the importance of advanced studies, practical skills, and the supportive community that makes this profession unique. As the compliance field continues to grow and evolve, so must the educational opportunities and professional networks that support it.

By being endlessly curious and staying informed and connected, compliance professionals can not only navigate the complexities of their roles but also contribute to advancing the field.

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Great Women in Compliance

Great Women in Compliance: Beth Colling – Common Sense and Compliance

Welcome to the Great Women in Compliance podcast on the Compliance Podcast Network, sponsored by Corporate Compliance Insights.

In this episode, Lisa speaks with Beth Colling, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer at CDM Smith. Beth joined organizations after they had to address a significant regulatory change or investigation, and she worked to operationalize and then maintain a compliance program. Lisa and Beth specifically talk about how, as issues inevitably arise, compliance officers will get the resources they need to make and implement changes, but over time, memories fade, and the attention and resources may diminish. Beth provides her insight on this.

Beth uniquely evaluates her work and program by “firing herself” on Friday and re-hiring herself on Monday to examine it with new eyes. After the past several years, with the pandemic and hybrid work, this review became even more relevant. This leads to a discussion of “common sense,” not just within a compliance program but also in terms of personal responsibility and how employees rationalize bad behavior.

One of Beth’s (and Lisa’s) childhood heroes was “Wonder Woman,” and Beth may be Wonder Woman. Outside her work, she coaches young adults to enjoy running, and by the end of 2024, she will have completed 5 of the 6 “World Marathon Majors.”

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