Team size: 15

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

As legal director of corporate affairs, I have played a central role in strengthening and evolving the corporate governance framework of my organisation during a period of significant structural transformation.

Following the reorganisation of Grupo Cibest, over the past twelve months I have led efforts to ensure that Bancolombia, Grupo Cibest, and all affiliated entities continue to operate under the highest standards of corporate governance. This transformation required the design and deployment of a robust governance model for two equally significant entities, ensuring clarity in roles, effective functioning of governance bodies and consistency across the Group.

My role has been instrumental in ensuring that decision-making processes are transparent, well-informed and aligned with regulatory and market expectations. As a result, we have reinforced stakeholder confidence, strengthened governance practices and ensured that key decisions are communicated with clarity and integrity to shareholders and the market.

Can you describe an instance where your legal advice directly influenced business strategy or commercial objectives?

In my capacity as Director of Corporate and Societal Affairs, I serve as Secretary to the Board Committees of both the holding company and its principal operating entity, while also leading the general secretaries of other regulated entities in Colombia. This position allows me to actively shape and influence the Group’s strategic and commercial decision-making.

I ensure that strategic decisions are grounded in complete, reliable information and are fully compliant with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks. Beyond risk mitigation, my advice enables the business to move forward with confidence.

By embedding strong corporate governance practices, I have contributed to building trust with stakeholders, improving access to capital under favorable conditions and fostering a culture of informed and responsible decision-making. My work also supports the alignment of business strategy with legal requirements and promotes a balanced approach that integrates financial performance with social and environmental considerations.

How has the role of general counsel evolved, and what are the most important attributes for the modern in-house lawyer?

The role of the General Counsel has evolved from a traditional legal advisor to a strategic business partner and enabler of growth.

In my organisation, the legal function is deeply embedded in business decision-making and recognised as a key driver of sustainable growth and long-term value creation. The legal team is not only involved in mitigating risks, but also in anticipating challenges and unlocking opportunities, ensuring that the business can operate confidently within the legal framework.

The modern in-house lawyer must combine strong technical expertise with a forward-looking mindset. Beyond legal rigour, the most critical attributes are strategic thinking, creativity, curiosity and a relentless commitment to excellence. The ability to translate complex legal considerations into practical, business-oriented solutions is essential.

How can general counsel help drive responsible governance and ethical decision-making across an organisation?

The General Counsel plays a pivotal leadership role in embedding responsible governance and fostering an ethical decision-making culture across the organisation.

This involves ensuring that governance bodies operate with the highest standards of transparency, rigour and effectiveness. The General Counsel must create the conditions for boards and committees to receive clear, timely and comprehensive information, enabling them to set the ethical tone from the top.

Additionally, the General Counsel plays a key role in translating regulatory expectations into practical guidance, enabling governance bodies to make decisions that are not only compliant, but also fully aligned with the organisation’s values and long-term objectives.

Finally, the General Counsel is the custodian of the organisation’s governance framework, ensuring that corporate governance policies and documents reflect strong ethical principles and are consistently and rigorously implemented throughout the organisation.