Company Secretary and general counsel | Development Bank of Rwanda
Gloria Tengera
Company Secretary and general counsel | Development Bank of Rwanda
Legal team size: 9
Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape over the next 5–10 years that companies should prepare for?
The key trends, I think, will include the ongoing digitisation era, widespread adoption of AI tools, and greater reliance on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?
My frustration with employee-employer disputes led me to discover my passion for coaching. I realised that as a lawyer, I was in a position to help parties address their issues before they escalated into legal disputes. This is why I am now a John Maxwell Team certified coach.
How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?
My team contributes to the company’s overall business strategy through risk management that enables growth. For example, we have revised all company contracts to use clear, straightforward language, eliminating legalese. This simplification has made contract review easier for both clients and internal teams. The team appraises all credit files and submits detailed legal reports that identify potential improvements and recommend mitigation strategies. Our permanent members actively participate in investment and credit committees, contributing to discussions about files under consideration. Through content for the departmental newsletter and podcast, we have established ourselves as thought leaders on company-relevant legal issues. Furthermore, the team members serve on various corporate committees beyond credit and investment, supporting the advancement of strategic objectives.
How are you bringing the legal department closer to your business colleagues?
We achieve this by establishing the legal department as a thought leader. This is reflected in our departmental podcast series ‘All Things Legal’, published on company platforms and Spotify; our newsletters distributed via the company website; and through organising awareness weeks where we engage business teams on significant legal issues affecting the company.
Company Secretary and general counsel | Development Bank of Rwanda
Gloria aims to serve, grow her potential and empower others. She is a business and corporate lawyer and a certified John Maxwell Leadership team coach. With a combined professional experience...
