Practical Insights from Compliance Leader

Dan Reardon didn’t start out in compliance. His early passion was golf, where he played at the collegiate level and worked toward becoming a PGA professional. However, his path changed when an opportunity arose to join the Council of Ethical Organizations (Council). That decision shaped his next 15 years and set him on a course toward a career focused on ethics and compliance-showing that the right opportunity can be a real hole-in-one.

At the Council, Dan gained experience working with two important divisions. The Health Ethics Trust focused on education and certification programs for compliance professionals, while the Compliance Resource Group provided consultative services such as policy and program development and assessment. Through this work, Dan began to see how compliance could influence ethical behavior across different industries.

Early in his career, Dan worked on a project that involved studying updated guidelines in “Chapter 8” of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. This exposure to foundational regulations played a significant role in shaping his approach to compliance. It helped him understand how structured programs could support ethical standards in businesses.

With a strong interest in advancing his knowledge, Dan pursued a Master’s in Public Administration while continuing to work full-time. This commitment to his development led to him taking on greater responsibilities at the Council, where he began managing teams and overseeing assessments of compliance programs across the country.

Dan’s career continued to grow when he became the first Chief Compliance Officer at the American College of Radiology (ACR). In this role, he has worked closely with departments across the organization, establishing a compliance program that complements ACR’s strong commitment to excellence and integrity. His focus on building trust and fostering collaboration has made compliance an integral part of ACR’s continued success.

One of Dan’s most fulfilling professional experiences has been leading the development of ACR’s Integrity-Compliance program. Starting from the ground up, he has worked closely with leadership and departments to ensure that compliance is embedded into ACR’s operations and most importantly, its culture. This collaborative approach has enabled the creation of a program that fully aligns with ACR’s mission while strengthening its ethical framework.

Dan has taken pride in building a program that enhances ACR’s foundation by focusing on open communication and trust. He emphasizes that compliance is not just about following regulations but about making certain that ethical decision-making is an integral part of how ACR serves its members and other stakeholders. With this direction paired with support from executive leadership and action by the staff, ACR is positioned as a leader in compliance and governance.

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.

Dan is motivated by the ongoing developments in the field and the people he works with. He finds value in building relationships with his colleagues, leadership, and fellow compliance and risk practitioners. This collaborative spirit allows him to guide ACR’s compliance function in ways that support the organization’s long-term goals.

He also recognizes that compliance tasks, such as policy updates and training, may not always seem exciting. However, through strong relationships and clear communication, Dan ensures that these responsibilities are seen as vital components of ACR’s broader mission.

As the first Chief Compliance Officer at ACR, Dan has embraced the challenge of developing and implementing a compliance program that fully integrates with the organization. His work with departments across ACR has allowed him to build a framework that reflects the organization’s values and reinforces its commitment to ethical practices.

Dan’s ongoing efforts to advocate for the value of compliance have been central to building trust throughout the organization. He has focused on educating employees and leadership, which emphasized the perception that compliance is a positive and necessary part of ACR’s daily operations. He is proud of the collaborative efforts that have shaped ACR’s compliance program that continues to be a positive force for the organization.

For Dan, compliance offers much more than just a way to avoid problems. It provides a foundation of trust and ethical behavior that can drive success. By focusing on the proactive elements of compliance like education, transparent policies, and building a culture where employees feel comfortable raising concerns, compliance becomes embedded into the culture of the organization and is viewed internally and externally as an asset.

Dan believes that compliance is a shared responsibility. When employees understand the reasons behind the policies and feel empowered to act, the entire organization benefits from better decisions and stronger trust.

On a typical day, Dan spends much of his time working with different teams to guide them through compliance and risk matters. His role involves a steady flow of meetings, where he provides advice and ensures key compliance and regulatory issues are addressed. Dan also oversees areas such as continuing medical education compliance of ACR’s educational portfolio and ACR’s conflict of interest programs.

His approach to leadership is centered on open communication. He encourages employees to ask questions and come forward with concerns. This openness helps foster trust and creates a learning environment where mistakes can be corrected and learned from, rather than focusing on blame.

Dan’s advice to those considering a career in compliance is simple: take the first step into the field, as the demand for compliance professionals will continue to grow. With regulations increasing and the rise of cybersecurity and data privacy concerns, there are countless opportunities for professionals ready to make a difference.

For Dan, the importance of compliance is clear. “Doing the right thing is the right thing to do” sums up his philosophy. Compliance goes beyond rules and regulations-it is about creating a culture where ethical decisions are made naturally, helping organizations build trust and succeed.