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This month, we’re bringing you a list of eight compliance executives to watch whose focuses span global data privacy, ethical leadership, risk management, and more. From shaping AI data policies and leading cross-border compliance programs to fostering cultures of transparency and inclusion, these attorneys are redefining what it means to be both strategic and principled. Their work reflects a shared commitment to embedding ethics at the core of business operations while navigating the ever-evolving demands of a global legal landscape.
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Angela Kohlheim
VP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Haynes International
Angela Kohlheim, general counsel of Haynes International, oversees all legal and compliance matters while leading a small but agile team focused on employment law, international contracts, and regulatory issues. She is currently driving initiatives around document retention and process improvements amid the evolving landscape of import/export regulations.
Connect with Angela Kohlheim on LinkedIn.
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John Curtin
Global General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Martin Brower
John Curtin serves as general counsel and chief compliance officer at Martin Brower, where he supervises legal and compliance operations across eighteen international markets. He manages global risk, ensures regulatory adherence, and supports strategic initiatives while thriving in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment.
Connect with John Curtin on LinkedIn.
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Patricia Astorga
Chief Legal Officer
Mintz Group
Patricia Astorga is chief legal officer and partner at Mintz Group, heading the global legal, compliance, and risk functions while advising executive leadership and the board. A former federal prosecutor with deep expertise in white-collar litigation and cross-industry corporate law, she also holds prominent leadership roles in legal associations, including the ABA and Women in White Collar Defense Association.
Connect with Patricia Astorga on LinkedIn.
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Shushana Jachobov
SVP and Assistant General Counsel
The New York Times
Shushana Jachobov serves as associate general counsel at the New York Times, where she leads the commercial legal team and oversees a broad portfolio spanning compliance, data privacy, enterprise risk, and high-stakes transactional work. A passionate dealmaker and mission-driven leader, she is guiding the company through evolving challenges like generative AI while fostering growth and alignment with the Times’ purpose.
Connect with Shushana Jachobov on LinkedIn.
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Bill Abbott
SVP and General Counsel
Misumi
Bill Abbott, general counsel at Misumi, has spent nearly a decade building the legal department from the ground up, growing it from a solo operation to a five-attorney team spanning five states. He’s committed to transparency, opportunity, and professional development and embraces a remote-first model to foster a culture of growth and innovation.
Connect with Bill Abbott on LinkedIn
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Kara DeAngelis
Senior Counsel
McDonald’s
Kara DeAngelis, senior counsel at McDonald’s, leads privacy initiatives that protect personal data across a vast digital ecosystem spanning employees, customers, franchisees, and suppliers. From kiosks to HR systems, she collaborates with global teams to embed privacy into every digital touchpoint, championing proactive connection-building and a people-first approach to problem-solving.
Connect with Kara DeAngelison LinkedIn
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Mark Jaffe
Chief Ethics, Compliance & Privacy Officer
Rivian
Mark Jaffe, chief compliance officer at Rivian, leads with a values-driven approach that emphasizes trust, ethics, and transparency across compliance, privacy, and integrity initiatives. At the heart of his work is a pioneering data policy that distinguishes core vehicle data from personal data, reinforcing Rivian’s mission of “Adventure Forever” while building an ethical culture aligned with rapid growth and customer trust.
Connect with Mark Jaffe on LinkedIn.
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Julia Fauzia-Whatley
Managing Counsel of Compliance & Ethics
Sumitomo
Julia Fuazia-Whatley is the managing counsel who oversees compliance and ethics for Sumitomo Electric’s operations across North and South America, with a focus on training, regulatory interpretation, and risk management. Drawing on her background in journalism and education, she’s passionate about implementing practical, stakeholder-driven compliance programs that foster a culture of shared responsibility and ethical growth.
Connect with Julia Fauzia-Whatley on LinkedIn.
