Legal VP Colombia & Perú | Cemex Colombia
Carlos Andrés Bonilla Sabogal
Legal VP Colombia & Perú | Cemex Colombia
Team size: over 3000.
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
My approach to managing legal matters during times of instability or crisis is grounded in three core principles: anticipation, strategic alignment, and effective communication.
Anticipation and preparedness are at the heart of our strategy. The foundation lies in having robust and adaptable legal frameworks that enable swift responses to evolving scenarios. This includes flexible contractual provisions, legal risk management protocols, and contingency plans that address potential litigation, regulatory shifts, and operational disruptions. We maintain continuous monitoring of the legal and political landscape, particularly in sensitive jurisdictions such as Colombia and Peru, to proactively identify and mitigate emerging risks.
Alignment with the business strategy is equally important. The legal function operates in close coordination with key business units such as operations, finance, and corporate communications. Our legal strategy is designed to support the organisation’s broader objectives, especially in times of crisis. We focus on safeguarding critical assets, ensuring operational continuity, and protecting corporate reputation. Every legal decision is made with a view to reinforcing the company’s resilience and long-term sustainability.
Clear communication and legal leadership are essential in critical situations. The role of the legal leader extends beyond legal analysis to strategic facilitation. I ensure that senior management receives clear, contextualised legal advice that supports informed decision-making. This involves translating complex legal risks into actionable business insights and proposing pragmatic solutions that balance compliance with agility.
In summary, my legal strategy during crises is fully integrated with the business strategy, aiming not only to mitigate risks but also to enhance the organisation’s capacity to adapt and thrive.
What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?
Sustainability is not a passing trend; it is an undeniable reality. I am convinced that any company that fails to recognise its importance or genuinely embed it across all levels is, without question, on a fast track to obsolescence.
This concept spans multiple dimensions and demands action on various fronts. It involves protecting shareholder interests, where Legal plays a fundamental and indisputable role. It also means promoting employee well-being, a responsibility that largely falls to the legal team. Moreover, sustainability requires honouring commitments made to consumers, which calls for Legal to assess their feasibility within the current legal framework. Lastly, it entails maintaining strong relationships with authorities and stakeholders, including shareholders and communities, a task where Legal, together with Compliance, must facilitate dialogue and ensure adherence to the internal code.
How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment?
Since assuming leadership of the Legal Department for Cemex in Colombia and Peru, I have worked with the objective of generating a positive impact within the organisation, always acknowledging and building upon prior efforts. To that end, I have implemented a leadership approach grounded in excellence, service, commitment, and most notably, diversity and inclusion.
I have actively promoted the creation of open, prejudice-free spaces for dialogue, where every perspective is valued and respected. My open-door policy ensures that all team members feel comfortable and appreciated in their roles within both the legal team and the broader company, professionally and personally.
Our weekly meetings begin with open discussions on current topics, where I consistently encourage everyone to express their ideas freely and without fear. Under my leadership, each team member’s opinion carries equal weight, regardless of their position, seniority, alignment with prevailing views, gender, beliefs, age, experience, or academic background.
Additionally, we periodically invite members from other teams and departments to share their insights, allowing us to understand firsthand the challenges they face and collaboratively develop solutions. We also maintain an outward-looking perspective, staying attuned to trends and best practices that can be adapted to our needs and corporate culture.
In conclusion, I am firmly convinced that bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and fostering the exchange of knowledge enables us to unlock unlimited potential.
Legal vice president – Colombia and Perú | Cemex Colombia
Legal vice president – Colombia and Perú | Cemex Colombia
Legal vice president– Colombia and Perú | Cemex
