Career Biography

Maria Del Carmen Santos is the Contracts & Commercial Legal Manager at Gildan Activewear, where she has spent the past 18 years building her career and supporting the business through a wide range of legal and commercial matters. She works closely with leadership and cross-functional teams across the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Honduras, providing practical legal advice that helps the business move forward while managing risk in a sensible and balanced way.

Over the past year, Maria has led the legal support for several strategic initiatives, including corporate integration projects, complex commercial transactions, regulatory matters, energy supply arrangements, real estate, labor-sensitive matters and cross-border operations. Much of this work has involved coordinating multiple stakeholders across jurisdictions, often under demanding timelines, while balancing legal, operational, and business considerations.

Maria believes that in-house lawyers create the greatest value when they are part of the business, not simply advising it from the sidelines. She enjoys partnering with different teams, simplifying complex legal issues, and finding practical solutions that allow projects to move forward. Building trust, being approachable and helping others make informed decisions are values that guide her work every day.

What are the most significant cases, projects, or transactions that you and your legal team have recently been involved in?

Over the past year, much of my work has focused on supporting one of the most significant transformation projects our organization has undertaken in recent years. While many aspects are confidential, I have been heavily involved in the legal implementation of a complex integration process across multiple jurisdictions. That has included reviewing and restructuring commercial agreements, supporting corporate and regulatory work, and helping transition a large portfolio of contracts while ensuring the business continued to operate smoothly.

Beyond the integration, I have advised on strategic energy projects, manufacturing and logistics agreements, labor-sensitive matters, and cross-border operations in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Many of these projects required balancing legal risk with business needs, often in fast-moving environments where practical solutions and timely decisions were essential.

One of the things I enjoy most is being involved from the beginning of a project. When Legal is part of the conversation early on, we can help shape the strategy, anticipate risks before they become issues and make it easier for the business to move forward with confidence.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organization’s resilience?

My priority is to assess the situation, keep communication open, and make sure Legal remains closely connected to the business. During challenging periods, people need clear, practical advice that considers not only the legal position but also the operational realities the business is facing. I also believe transparency and collaboration make a significant difference. Bringing the right people together early, identifying risks quickly and presenting practical options allows the business to make informed decisions without losing sight of its long-term objectives. Having worked across different jurisdictions has reinforced the fact that every situation is different. Resilience comes from being flexible, adapting when circumstances change, and maintaining sound judgement throughout the process.

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

Technical expertise will always be important, but today it is only one part of the role. Modern in-house lawyers also need commercial awareness, adaptability, and the ability to communicate complex legal issues in a way that is clear and practical. Equally important is the ability to build strong relationships; I wholeheartedly believe in this. The most effective legal advisers are those who become trusted partners to the business, collaborate across functions, and focus on finding solutions. In an increasingly global and fast-changing environment, good judgement, integrity, and emotional intelligence are just as valuable as legal knowledge.