The Power of Mentorship for Women in Compliance: How to Build a Stronger Ethics and GRC Network

In the ethics, governance, risk, and compliance arena, career progression isn’t just about what you know about business risks. It’s about who you know in the business risk space. And what kinds of high-quality relationships you can build.

Did you know? More than half of U.S. compliance officers are female.

Yet, despite their growing numbers, women in compliance leadership still face unique challenges when it comes to leadership opportunities, executive visibility, leadership development, and compliance career advancement.

For example, in our recent webinar–Resilience Redefined: Using Setbacks to Build Stronger Compliance Programs– Fabiana Lacerca-Allen, Chief Compliance Officer, Cipla USA, shared: “Sometimes it’s those mentors that you might be lucky enough to meet along the way that take us to this next step that we knew could feel it was coming but didn’t maybe know how to get there.”

This International Women’s Day, We Shine a Light on Women in Compliance

Mentorship plays a pivotal role in helping women not only enter fields like regulatory compliance and risk assessment but also rise up over the years.

“My biggest accomplishment in my resume is anytime I was able to stand up for others, help the right thing happen, ensure our patients had access to medicines, mentored women in my team who became strong leaders, and made a difference. It’s not about how much money you make or what your title is but how many lives you touch,” Fabiana told SAI360.

Imagine a young compliance professional stepping into her first major role, balancing risk assessment, policy adherence, and ethical decision-making, all while proving herself in an industry where leadership remains predominantly male. Without guidance, she may struggle to assert her voice in high-stakes conversations. However, with the right mentorship, she gains confidence, insights, and opportunities that might have otherwise remained out of reach.

During the Resilience Redefined webinar, Brenda Crabtree, Director of Compliance, Vaxcyte, shared the important role Fabiana played as her mentor: “You took a chance on me that I will not let you down. Every time you change direction, you have to take a step back. Some people are not okay with that. But it’s about not being afraid and having the willingness to say I’m okay taking a step forward to find where I belong and what I enjoy.”

Bridging the Generational Divide in Compliance

Mentorship in compliance is not just about guidance—it’s about ensuring women at every career stage have access to the insights needed to lead. A senior risk officer, for instance, mentoring a young compliance analyst doesn’t just teach the rules of the road. They also help anticipate challenges, navigate workplace politics, and build resilience. Likewise, reverse mentorship fosters innovation, as younger professionals introduce emerging compliance technologies, digital risk strategies, and fresh perspectives that drive the industry forward.

“When you learn what you don’t want to do, then you will eventually find your way. It’s about moving forward,” said Brenda.

How Organizations Can Support Mentorship in Ethics and GRC

To create a more inclusive and thriving compliance industry, organizations can:

• Develop structured mentorship programs that pair emerging professionals with seasoned compliance leaders
• Encourage knowledge-sharing across teams, fostering an environment where women feel empowered to seek guidance
• Recognize mentorship as a leadership skill, rewarding those who actively uplift others in the field

Organizations that prioritize mentorship build stronger, more resilient compliance programs.

What is the Power of Mentorship in Compliance?

In the Resilience Redefined webinar recording, Fabiana and Brenda shared the following insight:

• Mentors act as catalysts for career growth, guiding women in compliance toward leadership roles
• The right mentor can provide clarity when professionals know their goals but not the steps to get there
• Finding a mentor can feel like luck, but it’s often transformative, opening doors and creating pivotal career moments
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in leadership development, helping women build confidence, executive presence, and strategic thinking
• Great mentors recognize potential beyond traditional career paths, fostering more diverse and dynamic compliance teams.
• Mentors serve as role models, demonstrating strong leadership and ethical decision-making for the next generation of compliance professionals

How SAI360 Supports Women in Compliance and Training

At SAI360, we believe mentorship is a cornerstone of professional development. In addition, Ethics & Compliance training provides customizable learning experiences that empower professionals at every career stage, from foundational risk management to compliance leadership development. Likewise, our Ethics, Governance, Risk, and Compliance solutions help organizations build resilient compliance frameworks, navigate regulatory risk, and develop the next generation of ethical decision-makers and corporate leaders.

Schedule a virtual coffee with a team member to learn more about our SAI360 Training solutions.

Schedule a virtual coffee with a team member to learn more about our GRC solutions.