Behind the Scenes with the Compliance Expert

Dominique is an Ecuadorian lawyer with a passion for upholding integrity and combating corruption. Her journey began academically with a Master’s degree in Anti-Corruption and a Diploma in Governance, Risk, and Compliance from the UK. These qualifications laid the foundation for her career in compliance, inspired by Ecuador’s history with corruption.

Her professional path started in Ecuador, where she worked at a law firm advising clients from both the public and private sectors during audits conducted by the State Comptroller General’s Office. The focus was on the use of public resources, particularly in public procurement, exposing her to the critical importance of compliance in maintaining ethical standards and accountability.

Relocating to Costa Rica, where she currently resides, marked a significant turning point in her career. In Costa Rica, she joined an association dedicated to fighting corruption, collaborating on a shadow report assessing Costa Rica’s compliance with
the UN Convention against Corruption. This report was sent directly to the UN, highlighting the global importance of
the team’s work.

Her next role was at a law firm where she helped companies develop and implement their own compliance programs. This hands-on experience in building compliance frameworks was invaluable and significantly influenced the trajectory of her career. Since June 2022, she has been working as a Compliance Officer for a company in the beverage and food industry, overseeing operations in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá.

Dominique’s transition from public and administrative law to compliance was fueled by her keen interest in corruption issues. Her first full-time compliance role in Costa Rica in 2021 allowed her to collaborate with other compliance officers and top management teams, broadening her expertise and expanding her potential areas of impact.

Recently, her focus has been on leveraging technology and productivity tools to achieve optimal results with minimal resource expenditure. Since March 2024, she has been leading the implementation of software to streamline compliance program management.

Constantly seeking new and better ways to maintain high compliance standards without overburdening teams led her to explore fields like behavioral science and neurolinguistic programming. In April, she completed a course in Applied Behavioral Science, further enriching her professional skills to help encourage the ideal outcomes required for success.

At ACR, Dan successfully led the effort to gain HITRUST r2 certification for systems handling HIPAA-covered data. This certification highlights ACR’s proactive approach to data security and compliance, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information. Dan credits this achievement to the strong collaboration across various departments, reinforcing the idea that compliance is a shared responsibility at ACR.

Dan’s leadership remains focused on fostering a culture where compliance is seen as a resource, not an obstacle. He believes that most employees want to act ethically, and his goal is to support them by making compliance a natural part of the way people do their work.

Growing up in Ecuador made Dominique acutely aware of corruption’s devastating effects on society, the economy, and governance. This personal experience drives her dedication to fostering a culture of compliance and integrity. She draws inspiration from the resilience of individuals and organizations committed to combating corruption and promoting ethical conduct, firmly believing that together, a collective impact that transcends borders and cultures can be created.

Compliance is a dynamic field that evolves with regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifting industry landscapes. Her motivation is the continuous pursuit of learning and growth, thriving on the challenge of staying informed and adapting to new developments. Each opportunity to learn strengthens ethical frameworks and enhances organizational resilience. Her passion for compliance is deeply rooted in a commitment to values and ethics, guiding her to uphold high standards and contribute to a more transparent, accountable, and ethical business environment.

One of the significant challenges Dominique has faced as a Compliance Officer is generating enthusiasm for compliance training among teams. While compliance is essential for the organization’s success and integrity, it’s not always seen as the most exciting aspect of work. To address this, she has implemented several strategies to make compliance training more engaging
and relevant:

Tailored Content: Recognizing that one-size-fits-all training programs may not resonate with everyone, she customized training content to align with the specific roles and responsibilities of different teams within the organization.

Interactive Learning: Incorporating interactive elements such as quizzes, case studies, and group discussions to make sessions more engaging.

Continuous Feedback & Improvement: Seeking feedback from team members to understand their training preferences and areas for improvement.

These practices have helped in introducing new controls, despite the potential disruption to workflows and resistance from other team members and departments.

To Dominique, compliance ensures that an organization operates within legal and ethical boundaries, safeguarding its reputation, reducing risks, and fostering trust with stakeholders. It’s the foundation for sustainable growth and integrity, essential for long-term success.

For those considering a career in compliance or just starting out, she recommends developing not only technical knowledge but also essential soft skills such as negotiation, communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. These key elements empower professionals with the confidence to understand ‘why’ something works, how it will be received, and how to encourage the desired outcomes.

Compliance matters because it upholds the foundation of trust, integrity, and accountability upon which organizations build their relationships with stakeholders and sustain long-term success. By sharing Dominique’s journey, we hope this will resonate with your experiences and emphasize the vital role everyone plays in fostering ethical practices.

Together, we all believe we can create a more transparent and accountable world, one step at a time, driven by a shared commitment to integrity and excellence, regardless of where one comes from.