An interview with Sandra Leon, General Secretariat Senior Director at Corficolombiana in Colombia.
What are the biggest external forces or trends currently shaping your role as General Counsel and how are you responding to them?
One of the most significant external forces influencing the role of General Counsel is the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in areas such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The evolving regulatory landscape surrounding these technologies demands that we remain vigilant and adaptable. In response, I prioritise ongoing education in these fields and invest in technological solutions.
How are you balancing the increasing demands of legal risk management with the expectation to drive business value and strategic insight?
Balancing legal risk management with business value requires a proactive understanding of the organisation’s goals and strategy. I work closely with the executive team to integrate legal insights into strategic planning, enabling us to identify potential risks early and develop strategies that align legal compliance with business objectives.
What’s one lesson or insight from your in-house journey that you wish you’d known earlier and would share with a fellow GC today?
One crucial insight I wish I had grasped sooner is the importance of being more than just a counsellor. It’s essential to be an integral part of the team, sharing the same level of responsibility and engagement. Traditionally, legal departments have operated under the assumption that they are merely “counsellors” for their organisations; however, this mindset is no longer sustainable, we need to be really committed with all the organisation and its risks.
