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

I have worked as in-house legal counsel and compliance manager at Metropistas since its inception as Puerto Rico’s first public-private partnership (PPP). Over the years, I have played a pivotal role in developing the company’s legal and compliance framework, establishing internal processes and contractual documentation, and integrating the legal department as a key contributor to business decision-making.

I currently focus on managing insurance-related matters, claims, corporate compliance, and the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. In recent years, I have overseen complex insurance recovery and claims management processes, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory and ethical standards throughout.

I have also successfully led the implementation and certification of the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System, thereby reinforcing our commitment to transparency, integrity, and zero tolerance for corruption. Our team continues to drive sustainability and governance initiatives that align Metropistas with global best practices and investor expectations.

In addition to these areas, Metropistas has had to address the usual challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure concessions, including evolving regulatory frameworks, risk allocation and the long-term management of public assets. Thanks to close coordination with internal teams and external advisors, the legal department has ensured that these issues are managed professionally and strategically, contributing directly to the company’s growth and resilience.

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

A proactive and structured approach is required to manage legal risk during periods of instability. At Metropistas, the legal department plays a central role in business continuity planning, ensuring that contractual, regulatory, and ethical obligations are upheld, even under adverse conditions. During crises, such as natural disasters or market disruptions, the team prioritizes clear communication, rapid risk assessments, and close coordination with executive management.

We focus on anticipating potential exposures and providing timely legal and compliance guidance that enables the organization to respond effectively while preserving its reputation and stakeholder trust. This disciplined, solutions-oriented approach is essential to safeguarding the company’s operations and assets in Puerto Rico’s evolving environment.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? Why is this?

Outside of my work at Metropistas, I am deeply committed to advancing the rights and well-being of children, particularly those facing socio-familial challenges, through my roles in two significant capacities. First, I am the Vice-President of the Board of Directors at Hogares Rafaela Ybarra, an organization that has provided homes, protection, and care to girls and young women, aged 5 to 18, for over sixty-five years. These girls and young women lack stable family environments due to various circumstances.

In this role, I help develop fundraising strategies, identify needs, and ensure the institution provides holistic support in terms of shelter, emotional well-being, education, spirituality, and morals. Hogares Rafaela Ybarra’s mission, to develop independent women who can reach their full potential, is a profound motivator for me.

Second, I serve on the Comisión de Derechos en torno a la Niñez of the Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico. Through this commission, I advocate for legal reforms, and raise awareness of children’s rights. These efforts align with my belief that the law must serve as a powerful tool for protection, especially for vulnerable individuals.

These causes resonate with me because they combine my background in law and compliance with my commitment to social justice. In my professional work, I often deal with contractual, regulatory, and corporate frameworks that promote resilience and integrity. These voluntary roles enable me to apply the same discipline, care, and sense of responsibility to work that, while not strictly commercial, is essential to building a just society.

Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape in Puerto Rico over the next five to ten years that companies should prepare for?

The integration of artificial intelligence will significantly transform how legal teams operate, improving efficiency in contract management, risk assessment, and compliance monitoring. However, AI adoption will also introduce new ethical and regulatory challenges, particularly in data privacy, cybersecurity, and accountability. Companies will need strong governance frameworks and cross-functional collaboration to manage these risks effectively.