Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

One of the most unique experiences in my career came when Ecuador implemented its “Ley Orgánica de Protección de Datos Personales (LOPDP)”” in 2021. As a lawyer transitioning into the role of Data Protection Manager in the insurance sector, I was directly involved in interpreting the new law and adapting our company’s practices to comply. I led a project to align our data handling policies with the new legal framework. This meant not only revising contracts and consent forms but also training staff across departments on how to properly manage sensitive health and financial data.

Insurance companies process vast amounts of personal information, from medical records to financial histories. One particularly interesting challenge was designing protocols that respected individuals’ rights while still allowing us to assess risk and issue policies efficiently.

Another memorable case involved negotiating with international reinsurers. We had to ensure that data shared outside Ecuador complied with both local law and international standards like the GDPR. It was fascinating to bridge different legal systems and find practical solutions.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect was seeing how these legal frameworks directly protect people. It was a reminder that behind every regulation, there’s a person whose privacy and dignity we safeguard.

In short, what stands out most is how my legal background allowed me to transform abstract regulations into concrete protections for individuals, while also helping the company navigate a rapidly evolving compliance landscape.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has your company’s risk profile evolved, and are you taking measures to address these challenges?

The current geopolitical shifts and uncertainties around international free trade have indeed impacted our company’s risk profile. As an AML officer, I have observed that these dynamics introduce new vulnerabilities, particularly in cross-border transactions, reinsurance agreements, and dealings with politically exposed persons (PEPs).

We have responded by strengthening our due diligence processes, ensuring that clients and counterparties engaged in international trade are subject to enhanced scrutiny. This includes verifying beneficial ownership structures, monitoring for complex financial arrangements, and conducting more robust screening against global sanctions and watchlists.

To mitigate these challenges, we maintain close collaboration with Ecuador’s Superintendencia de Compañías and the Unidad de Análisis Financiero y Económico (UAFE), ensuring our controls remain aligned with evolving national and international standards. We also invest in advanced monitoring technologies that allow us to detect unusual transaction patterns more effectively, especially in cross-border operations where geopolitical uncertainty increases exposure to illicit flows.

In summary, while the global environment has added complexity to our risk landscape, we are proactively adapting by reinforcing due diligence, enhancing monitoring tools, and embedding geopolitical considerations into our AML framework. These measures ensure that our company remains resilient, compliant, and committed to protecting both our clients and the integrity of the financial system.