Natalia Alarcón Bernal – GC Powerlist
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Colombia 2023

Financials

Natalia Alarcón Bernal

Head of CIB legal | BNP Paribas Colombia

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Colombia 2023

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Natalia Alarcón Bernal

Head of CIB legal | BNP Paribas Colombia

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

We implemented an internal sharepoint that allows other teams to get information from legal in the web site instead of opening queries. For this, we first identified recurring tasks that could be simplified by sharing and organising information, then we identified internal tools, and we implemented it. This was done at zero cost and has help save approximately 15 hours a month of the team´s time.

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years?

ESG considerations are increasingly gaining importance in the world, it will be key for general counsel to learn to navigate the implementation of ESG policies, ensuring compliance with applicable regulation and mitigating any legal risks associated with ESG initiatives. Also, AI and the use of technological tools is also an important trend that will require general counsel to re-think the way we train young lawyers, so as to focus on value added tasks rather that task that are subject to automation.

What challenges have you encountered in implementing effective risk management practices, and how have you overcome them?

Legal risk management and risk anticipation is at the core of our function as a team that works at a financial industry. The biggest challenge we face is balancing the risk with the business strategy and expectations, being able to control risk but at the same time enable business always considering the risk appetite.

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, you are passionate about, and why?

Corporate governance is something I am passionate about. I believe is the cornerstone to a sustainable organisation and an important lever in times of crisis. It also evolves constantly, and I feel there is always something new to learn and apply.

Natalia Alarcón Bernal - Colombia 2022

Head of legal | BNP Paribas Colombia Corporacion Financera

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Natalia Alarcón Bernal - Colombia 2018

Head of CIB legal Colombia and corporate secretary | BNP Paribas Colombia

Since returning to Colombia in 2012 after a fourteen month spell working for the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Natalia Alarcon Bernal has excelled in the financial sector. Now at French...

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Natalia Alarcón Bernal

Head of CIB legal Colombia and corporate secretary

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