Head of Legal and ESG| Executive

• Aug 2021 - Present

Accelerate Program Member

• Aug 2022 - Present

NACD Accelerate™ is a unique two-year program that creates a pathway to directorship for high potential executives and emerging board directors by equipping them with education and exposure. NACD Accelerate™ is a unique two-year program that creates a pathway to directorship for high potential executives and emerging board directors by equipping them with education and exposure.

SVP and Associate General Counsel

• Sep 2017 - Jun 2021

Regional Head of Legal | Global Trade Receivables and Finance, North America Lead counsel to the business, managing all legal affairs across multiple divisions to enable accelerated and sustainable growth. Partner to senior management in business strategy and legally-effective corporate decision-making. Counsel on a wide range of legal, transactional, product development, and regulatory matters, including regulatory inquiries and reviews. Manage lawyers in the U.S. »… Show more Regional Head of Legal | Global Trade Receivables and Finance, North America Lead counsel to the business, managing all legal affairs across multiple divisions to enable accelerated and sustainable growth. Partner to senior management in business strategy and legally-effective corporate decision-making. Counsel on a wide range of legal, transactional, product development, and regulatory matters, including regulatory inquiries and reviews. Manage lawyers in the U.S. » TECHNOLOGY/DIGITAL: - Spearhead legal support of $500M global digital transformation of business, spanning from technology and integration, online and enhanced mobile offerings, new partnerships with third party payment processors and other financial technology firms, to adoption and deployment of cloud-based AI technology and platforms. Identify, assess, and propose solutions to legal, regulatory, operational, financial crime, data privacy and reputational risks related to business continuity planning, in collaboration with other functions. Lead roll-out of global standardized contract terms as well as customer communication for 2,000+ customers. Counsel on emerging blockchain technology for trade transactions. » LEGAL LEADERSHIP; RISK MANAGEMENT: - Manage day-to-day operation of GTRF legal team in the U.S., with regional oversight of GTRF lawyers in Canada. Establish infrastructure which supports and monitors controls across all legal activities for risk management. Recognized by key stakeholders as a “success story” for stellar legal risk management. » COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS/M&A: - Evaluate and negotiate strategic alliances/investments, joint ventures, including acquisition of $5B business. Coordinate legal strategy, negotiation and due diligence and manage outside counsel in multiple jurisdictions. Close high value transactions such as $1.5B receivables purchase program, including the sell-down of risk participations to investors and other financial institutions ($11B annualized).

Vice President, Senior Legal Counsel

• Nov 2013 - Sep 2017

Senior Legal Counsel | Global Trade and Receivables Finance Drafted, reviewed and negotiated documentation for cross-border uncommitted bilateral facilities for product offerings, including receivables purchase agreements, buyer-centric supplier chain finance agreements, bilateral import/export loan agreements, guaranties, security agreements, account control agreements, intercreditor agreements and subordination agreements, participation agreements, reimbursement agreements, legal… Show more Senior Legal Counsel | Global Trade and Receivables Finance Drafted, reviewed and negotiated documentation for cross-border uncommitted bilateral facilities for product offerings, including receivables purchase agreements, buyer-centric supplier chain finance agreements, bilateral import/export loan agreements, guaranties, security agreements, account control agreements, intercreditor agreements and subordination agreements, participation agreements, reimbursement agreements, legal opinions, and non-disclosure agreements; reviewed marketing materials, customer communications, new product proposals; prepared legal risk reports; drafted, maintained and updated legal templates. Actively participated in regional and global risk management and product development projects and committees; developed and implemented cost and service delivery efficiency initiatives; identified and resolved bank regulatory matters; proactively partnered with senior business and legal management, front line business officers and fellow support personnel to identify and manage legal, reputational, compliance and regulatory risks; managed external counsel; advised HSBC foreign affiliates on matters of U.S. law. Participated in a short term assignment at HSBC headquarters in London (2016).

Senior Counsel, Seconded from Axiom Legal

• Jul 2011 - Oct 2013

Senior Counsel to Citibank's global Trade Finance and Trade Services business unit, covering accounts receivable financing (seller and buyer centric), borrowing base and transactional based commodities trade finance, supply chain finance, invoice financing, letters of credit, assets distribution such as funded/unfunded risk participations, ECA-backed facilities, interbank lending, unsecured lending to multinationals and documentary trade transactions. Advised business on a variety of… Show more Senior Counsel to Citibank's global Trade Finance and Trade Services business unit, covering accounts receivable financing (seller and buyer centric), borrowing base and transactional based commodities trade finance, supply chain finance, invoice financing, letters of credit, assets distribution such as funded/unfunded risk participations, ECA-backed facilities, interbank lending, unsecured lending to multinationals and documentary trade transactions. Advised business on a variety of legal and corporate matters, including structuring transactions, industry best practices, internal policies and procedures, and provided creative solutions to enable them to meet business goals. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated global transactional documents such as receivables purchase agreements, supplier agreements, paying services agreements, reimbursement agreements, trade advance loan agreements, syndicated credit agreements with letters of credit sub-facilities, participation agreements, intercreditor agreements, banker’s acceptances, NDAs, security agreements such as guaranty, joinder agreements, technology agreements, proposal letters, and marketing materials. Proactively collaborated with risk, compliance, corporate tax, and other colleagues in legal, and reported to senior business leaders. Updated and maitained legal templates and drafted resolutions/certificates and arrange signature for corporate minute book. Show less Senior Counsel to Citibank's global Trade Finance and Trade Services business unit, covering accounts receivable financing (seller and buyer centric), borrowing base and transactional based commodities trade finance, supply chain finance, invoice financing, letters of credit, assets distribution such as funded/unfunded risk participations, ECA-backed facilities, interbank lending, unsecured lending to multinationals and documentary trade transactions. Advised business on a variety of… Show more Senior Counsel to Citibank's global Trade Finance and Trade Services business unit, covering accounts receivable financing (seller and buyer centric), borrowing base and transactional based commodities trade finance, supply chain finance, invoice financing, letters of credit, assets distribution such as funded/unfunded risk participations, ECA-backed facilities, interbank lending, unsecured lending to multinationals and documentary trade transactions. Advised business on a variety of legal and corporate matters, including structuring transactions, industry best practices, internal policies and procedures, and provided creative solutions to enable them to meet business goals. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated global transactional documents such as receivables purchase agreements, supplier agreements, paying services agreements, reimbursement agreements, trade advance loan agreements, syndicated credit agreements with letters of credit sub-facilities, participation agreements, intercreditor agreements, banker’s acceptances, NDAs, security agreements such as guaranty, joinder agreements, technology agreements, proposal letters, and marketing materials. Proactively collaborated with risk, compliance, corporate tax, and other colleagues in legal, and reported to senior business leaders. Updated and maitained legal templates and drafted resolutions/certificates and arrange signature for corporate minute book. Show less

Senior Counsel, Seconded from Axiom Legal

• Sep 2009 - Jul 2011

Lead attorney for the American Express proprietary lending portfolio and supported Global Advertisement and Brand Management business unit, comprising of Global Sponsorship and Event Marketing, Global Supply Management, Brand Management, Online Acquisition and Global Marketplace Insight. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated partnership agreements, media agency agreements, vendor services agreements, license agreements, technology agreements, sponsorship/consulting/talent agreements, and… Show more Lead attorney for the American Express proprietary lending portfolio and supported Global Advertisement and Brand Management business unit, comprising of Global Sponsorship and Event Marketing, Global Supply Management, Brand Management, Online Acquisition and Global Marketplace Insight. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated partnership agreements, media agency agreements, vendor services agreements, license agreements, technology agreements, sponsorship/consulting/talent agreements, and marketing initiatives and disclosures. Proactively collaborated with operational risk, compliance, privacy, technology law, cyberlaw, senior business management, external counsels and various media agencies. Show less Lead attorney for the American Express proprietary lending portfolio and supported Global Advertisement and Brand Management business unit, comprising of Global Sponsorship and Event Marketing, Global Supply Management, Brand Management, Online Acquisition and Global Marketplace Insight. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated partnership agreements, media agency agreements, vendor services agreements, license agreements, technology agreements, sponsorship/consulting/talent agreements, and… Show more Lead attorney for the American Express proprietary lending portfolio and supported Global Advertisement and Brand Management business unit, comprising of Global Sponsorship and Event Marketing, Global Supply Management, Brand Management, Online Acquisition and Global Marketplace Insight. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated partnership agreements, media agency agreements, vendor services agreements, license agreements, technology agreements, sponsorship/consulting/talent agreements, and marketing initiatives and disclosures. Proactively collaborated with operational risk, compliance, privacy, technology law, cyberlaw, senior business management, external counsels and various media agencies. Show less

Senior Counsel, Seconded from Axiom Legal

• Mar 2008 - Apr 2009

Supported the commodities business unit on various M&A transactions related to crude oil, solar energy joint ventures, marine terminal operations and cross-border shipping matters as well as other matters involving litigation and bankruptcy, and managed external local and global counsel. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated credit agreements, netting agreements, LEAP/ISDA/EEI master agreements and applicable annexes/confirmations for physical and financial products, strategic partnership… Show more Supported the commodities business unit on various M&A transactions related to crude oil, solar energy joint ventures, marine terminal operations and cross-border shipping matters as well as other matters involving litigation and bankruptcy, and managed external local and global counsel. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated credit agreements, netting agreements, LEAP/ISDA/EEI master agreements and applicable annexes/confirmations for physical and financial products, strategic partnership agreements, licensing agreements, guaranties, and NDAs; Performed corporate general housekeeping (e.g. prepared FERC and CFTC filings, draft resolutions/certificates and assisted the General Counsel with administrative duties related to annual board meetings). Show less Supported the commodities business unit on various M&A transactions related to crude oil, solar energy joint ventures, marine terminal operations and cross-border shipping matters as well as other matters involving litigation and bankruptcy, and managed external local and global counsel. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated credit agreements, netting agreements, LEAP/ISDA/EEI master agreements and applicable annexes/confirmations for physical and financial products, strategic partnership… Show more Supported the commodities business unit on various M&A transactions related to crude oil, solar energy joint ventures, marine terminal operations and cross-border shipping matters as well as other matters involving litigation and bankruptcy, and managed external local and global counsel. Drafted, reviewed and negotiated credit agreements, netting agreements, LEAP/ISDA/EEI master agreements and applicable annexes/confirmations for physical and financial products, strategic partnership agreements, licensing agreements, guaranties, and NDAs; Performed corporate general housekeeping (e.g. prepared FERC and CFTC filings, draft resolutions/certificates and assisted the General Counsel with administrative duties related to annual board meetings). Show less

Corporate Associate

• May 2006 - Nov 2007

Represented corporate borrowers bridge financing providers, hedge funds, investment and commercial banking clients, including mezzanine lenders with respect to asset-based credit facilities, commercial lending, real estate lending, healthcare finance, consumer receivables finance, and equipment leasing. Represented corporate borrowers bridge financing providers, hedge funds, investment and commercial banking clients, including mezzanine lenders with respect to asset-based credit facilities, commercial lending, real estate lending, healthcare finance, consumer receivables finance, and equipment leasing.

Corporate Associate

• Sep 2003 - Apr 2006

Practiced broad-based financing, including representation of commercial and investment banks and companies in the real estate sector, mezzanine financing providers, issuers and underwriters in connection with syndicated senior financings, acquisitions, recapitalizations restructurings, securitizations, collateralized debt obligations, commercial mortgage loans and mezzanine financings. Practiced broad-based financing, including representation of commercial and investment banks and companies in the real estate sector, mezzanine financing providers, issuers and underwriters in connection with syndicated senior financings, acquisitions, recapitalizations restructurings, securitizations, collateralized debt obligations, commercial mortgage loans and mezzanine financings.