Ecuador 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Legal manager Colombia and Ecuador | Patterson-UTI International
Compliance and data protection officer | Telefónica Ecuador
General counsel Ecuador | Huawei Technologies Ecuador
Legal manager - Ecuador | SBA Communications Corporation Ecuador
Senior counsel | Phoenix Tower International Ecuador (PTIE)
Vice president of legal and corporate affairs | Reybanpac
Legal counsel and regulatory affairs | Corporación El Rosado
Legal and compliance and corporate affairs director | Holcim
General counsel and president of the compliance unit | Grupo Santillana
Vice-president of legal, corporate affairs and sustainability | Nestlé Ecuador
Submanager of compliance, AML/AFC and data protection | Generali Ecuador Compañía de Seguros
Chief legal and corporate relations officer | Quala
Chief legal officer | Trust Fiduciaria Administradora de Fondos y Fideicomisos
Director | Cámara de Industrias de Guayaquil
General counsel, Venezuela and Ecuador | Unilever Andina Ecuador
Legal and compliance manager | Duragas Abastible
Executive director | Fundación de Apoyo al Desarrollo Sustentable del Ecuador (FADSE)
Senior legal manager and compliance officer | Corporación Quiport
Legal, corporate affairs and compliance manager | UNACEM Ecuador
Legal, compliance and public relations manager | UNACEM Ecuador
Legal and compliance manager, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Aruba and Curazon | Linde
Legal and compliance director | Empresa Pública Metropolitana de Seguridad y Logística
Congratulations to everyone featured in our first standalone GC Powerlist Ecuador since 2023 – a return that is long overdue. Alongside Dentons Paz Horowitz, we are excited to once again shine a spotlight on the exceptional in-house legal talent in Ecuador, one of the most dynamic markets in the whole of Latin America, through this dedicated publication.
A sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with us for this project. These conversations are what bring the Powerlist to life, allowing us to share insights from leading general counsel with a global audience and contribute to the broader development of the in-house legal community.
Through the GC Powerlist initiative, we aim to foster connections between general counsel, enabling them to exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and support each other’s professional growth – something we know is vital in today’s evolving legal landscape.
On October 2, Legal 500 returned to Copenhagen to host the highly anticipated GC Summit: Denmark 2025 at the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel. The event brought together prominent voices from the legal and business communities to explore the evolving role of in-house counsel in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
The day began with opening remarks from Legal 500’s editorial lead, Francisco Castro, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for the summit. He emphasised the importance of convening the corporate counsel community to engage in meaningful dialogue around the pressing challenges – and emerging opportunities – facing legal teams today.
The first panel delved into crisis management strategies for legal departments. Hanne Marthine Frederiksen, partner at Poul Schmith, and Søren Søndergaard, director at Rud Pedersen, shared practical insights on early risk detection, cross-functional coordination, and post-crisis recovery planning. The discussion underscored the growing expectation for legal teams to lead during periods of uncertainty and equipped attendees with actionable tools to enhance organisational resilience.
The second panel focused on regulatory reform, specifically the EU’s Digital Omnibus proposal and anticipated changes to the GDPR and NIS 2 Directive. Marlene Winther Plas and Christian Wiese Svanberg from DLA Piper Denmark, joined by Heidi Warm from the firm’s Brussels office and Tina Dorthe Nielsen, senior legal counsel at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, offered a practitioner’s perspective on navigating evolving data protection and cybersecurity legislation. The panel highlighted areas where simplification could benefit businesses and improve compliance outcomes.
After a short coffee break, the conversation turned to the insurance industry’s response to emerging global risks. Medea Solevad Plesner, legal director at Kennedys, Anja Deleuran, senior insurance manager at Carlsberg, Thomas Brenøe, director at Insurance and Pension Denmark, Lars Søhøj, financial lines underwriter at Zurich, and Jonas Spangsberg Svensson, attorney at The RiskPoint Group, explored how climate change, geopolitical instability, and the rise of consumer-led class actions are reshaping corporate risk profiles. The panel examined implications for claims handling and the future of insurance solutions across cyber, product liability, property, and D&O.
The final panel of the day addressed how legal teams can position themselves as strategic business partners. Moderated by Francisco Castro, the session featured John F. Kuckleman, group general counsel at Novo Nordisk, and Pia Ullum, legal vice president at Dell Technologies. Both speakers shared compelling examples of how in-house counsel can align more closely with business objectives, demonstrate measurable value, and build influence across the C-suite. The discussion highlighted the shift from reactive legal support to proactive leadership and commercial insight.
To close the event, Francisco Castro thanked all speakers and attendees for their contributions and engagement throughout the day. He reaffirmed Legal 500’s commitment to supporting the in-house legal community through high-impact events and thought leadership. Guests were then invited to enjoy refreshments and informal networking, providing a relaxed setting to continue conversations and forge new connections.
