What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

Qroma is the largest manufacturer of paint and coatings in Peru, with subsidiaries in Chile and Ecuador, and is one of the largest in Latin America. With my arrival at Qroma, the company consolidated under a single role the functions of legal counsel, risk management, compliance, internal control, and information security. Additionally, I assumed responsibility for the company’s corporate affairs strategy.

In 2025, we developed a robust corporate affairs strategy and implemented an integrated risk management system that encompassed compliance, internal control, and regulatory affairs. These key internal initiatives enabled us to:
(i) become, in August 2025, the first paint and coatings company in Latin America to be accepted as a member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, a partnership formed by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization; and
(ii) become, in November 2025, the first paint and coatings company in Peru to obtain ISO 37001 certification for Anti-Bribery.

Are there any particular challenges for which in-house counsel should be preparing in 2026?

In my opinion, the most relevant challenge for 2026 is how to incorporate artificial intelligence into legal processes and legal thinking in a balanced way, taking into account its risks. I am a firm believer that AI is here to stay and will exponentially improve results in terms of speed of response and depth of analysis. However, if not properly managed, it may also create a risk of losing critical thinking and, to some extent, the “resourcefulness” that a good lawyer must have.

For me, the challenge is how to equip my team with AI tools without losing critical thinking in the process.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

In my opinion, a modern in-house lawyer must be open to incorporating new technologies into their processes. They should naturally be early adopters of innovation, while always maintaining strong critical thinking skills. A modern in-house lawyer must also be more empathetic toward internal clients and stakeholders — something that a machine will never be capable of fully replicating — and must learn how to act as a true strategic partner to the business.