International Women’s Day 2025
Women in Ethics and GRC on Achieving Immediate Progress
In honor of International Women’s Day 2025, we asked women in Ethics, Governance, Risk, and Compliance about their biggest career challenges. This women in leadership initiative indeed comes at a critical time as corporate DEI strategies shift, with some companies scaling back efforts while others refine them to align with legal and cultural changes.
Below, we present their seven key compliance best practices to help compliance professionals, risk managers, and corporate leaders improve leadership development, strengthen compliance training, and increase regulatory adaptability.
Seven Ethics and GRC Best Practices
Drive Clear Promotion Pathways in Corporate Compliance
Women often excel in compliance risk management but struggle with career advancement in compliance due to a lack of visibility in senior roles or a lack of linear compliance experience which makes them more likely to be turned down during the application process. Mentorship programs in compliance and executive sponsorship can unlock these opportunities.
Action Steps
- Define Leadership Competencies: Establish clear career paths for compliance officers, outlining the skills and compliance certifications needed at each level.
- Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration: Assign employees to high-impact risk and compliance projects to expand their networks and gain executive visibility.
Register for our March 7th webinar, available on-demand after International Women’s Day: The Crisis-Capable Leader: Using Setbacks to Build Stronger Compliance Programs
Mentorship isn’t just career advice—it’s a game-changer in compliance. Women in Ethics + GRC say the right mentor can unlock leadership opportunities, build confidence, and accelerate career growth in an industry where executive visibility still matters.
Foster Confident Communication in Compliance Roles
Email etiquette in compliance and self-advocacy can be challenging, particularly when employees fear being perceived as too assertive.
Action Steps
- Implement Targeted Microlearning on Communication: Provide short, scenario-based modules on effective compliance communication strategies and cross-cultural compliance interactions.
- Normalize Direct Compliance Reporting: Encourage employees to document and report concerns using clear compliance reporting structures.
Read our blog: Effective Workplace Communication: The Email You Should Have Sent
Strengthen Workplace Harassment Prevention Programs
Workplace harassment persists where compliance reporting mechanisms are unclear. A strong anti-harassment compliance program is critical to maintaining corporate ethics and risk mitigation.
Action Steps
- Embed Anti-Harassment Policies in Compliance Training: Incorporate harassment prevention courses for compliance officers into ongoing training programs.
- Monitor and Analyze Compliance Data: Regularly review incident reports and compliance risk assessments to identify trends and gaps in enforcement.
Read our blog: Breaking the Silence: Top 10 U.S. States Where Workplace Harassment Hits Hardest
Understand What Ethical AI Use in Compliance Looks Like in Action
AI is transforming ethics, governance, risk, and compliance, but…without human oversight, it can introduce ethical risks. As one female compliance leader told us, companies must urgently drive and guide responsible AI adoption.
Action Steps
Establish AI Ethics Guidelines: Develop policies that address bias, accountability, and transparency in AI-driven compliance decisions.
Train Teams on AI Oversight: Equip compliance professionals with the skills to assess AI-generated insights and mitigate potential risks.
Read our whitepaper: AI Can’t Do It Alone: The Compliance Officer’s Role in Ethical Risk Management
Ensure Pay Equity in Compliance Careers
Gender pay gaps persist in compliance and risk management, with women often underrepresented in senior compliance roles. Addressing pay disparities strengthens ethical business practices and improves retention.
Action Steps
- Conduct Pay Equity Audits: Regularly analyze salary data across compliance roles to identify and correct pay gaps.
- Increase Leadership Visibility: Provide executive sponsorship and structured mentorship programs to support women’s advancement in risk and compliance leadership.
As companies rethink DEI, the focus is shifting from broad commitments to measurable impact. Now is the time for compliance leaders to ensure inclusion efforts align with business strategy, regulatory shifts, and ethical governance.
Build Resilience Through Proactive Risk Management
Handling compliance challenges in a dynamic regulatory environment requires foresight and preparation.
Action Steps
- Adopt Risk-Based Scenario Planning: Conduct compliance crisis simulations that prepare teams for sudden regulatory shifts.
- Highlight Case Studies on Compliance Resilience: Showcase real-world examples of organizations mitigating risk through strong compliance frameworks.
Read our whitepaper: Managing the Iceberg: Addressing Visible and Hidden Business Risks
Expand Mentorship and Professional Development in Compliance
Structured mentorship in compliance careers, targeted skill-building, and professional development for compliance officers help organizations retain top talent.
Action Steps
- Formalize Mentorship Programs in Compliance: Pair emerging professionals with experienced leaders to build confidence and career clarity.
- Support Work-Life Integration: Consider adaptable work models and corporate compliance leadership development programs that allow employees to grow without career setbacks.
Read our blog: The Power of Mentorship for Women in Compliance
How Can SAI360 Advance Compliance for Your Organization?
SAI360 Ethics & Compliance Training
Short, scenario-based modules cover workplace harassment prevention training, compliance communication strategies, and ethics training for compliance officers—ensuring employees apply best practices in real-time. Schedule a virtual coffee with a team member to learn more about our SAI360 Training solutions.
SAI360 Governance, Risk, and Compliance Solution
Our modular compliance risk management software centralizes policy management, regulatory risk tracking, and compliance reporting—offering data-driven insights for faster, informed decisions. Schedule a virtual coffee with a team member to learn more about our SAI360 GRC solutions.
Join us in conversation on social media this International Women’s Day 2025 by using the global hashtags #AccelerateAction and #IWD2025.
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