Team size: Three

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?

First, it is important to mention that I am responsible for Cargill’s businesses in the Andean Region, which includes Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
All these countries have historically been characterised by significant socio-political challenges, which are beyond our control. Therefore, we must focus internally on those aspects that allow us to operate within the legal framework without neglecting business results.

One example of this is the constant monitoring of regulatory developments and, of course, their implementation within the organisation, to ensure strict compliance with the rules that have a direct impact on our operations; while properly calibrating the risks we face daily.

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the acquisition of a family-owned company in Ecuador dedicated to shrimp feed production.
It is important to mention that shrimp is Ecuador’s main non-oil export product and one of the fundamental pillars of its economy, which highlights the importance of our operation in that market.

This transaction allowed me to be part of the due diligence process, in which we analysed the risks and contingencies that could arise from the deal. These risks were assessed from all perspectives: environmental, labour, financial, commercial, reputational, among others.

Based on this analysis – nd after many sessions, discussions, and reviews – e defined the transaction model and chose the one that minimised contingencies for Cargill.

Subsequently, I was responsible for leading the legal integration process with Cargill’s operating model, to ensure the adoption of our values, code of conduct, policies, contract standardisation, and more.

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?

Cargill is a privately held American company with a global presence, operating in more than 70 countries with over 160,000 employees. It sits at the center of the global food and agricultural supply chain, with operations in food and ingredients, animal nutrition, bioindustry, among others.

As our world faces unprecedented challenges – from food insecurity to climate change – it has become increasingly clear that our food system must adapt to meet the needs of a growing global population and a changing planet. These global challenges across our focus areas of Climate, Land and Water, and People are interconnected. At Cargill, our sustainability strategy is intentional in its approach to creating products, partnerships, and programs that have multiple benefits across our focus areas, allowing us to advance our ambition to deliver as much positive, collective impact as we can. We’re doing our part in fulfilling a purpose bigger than ourselves: to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way.

In this context, the role of the legal advisor is key to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the organisation. The involvement of the legal department goes beyond regulatory compliance – we must be strategic in integrating sustainability not only into our culture but also into our operations.

In my case, I am part of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, which allows me to have a much more holistic view of the business and its needs, especially in relation to the communities where we operate.