Data, People & Purpose—Navigating the Talent Landscape in Ethics & Compliance with the Leonid Group

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by James Mitchell and Jamie Browne of the Leonid Group, an international talent advisory firm specializing in ethics and compliance recruitment. They discuss the evolution of compliance from a reactive function to a strategic business partner, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, adaptability, and clear organizational design. The conversations highlight practical advice for hiring and retaining top compliance talent, the need for benchmarking and market data, and strategies for making the business case for compliance resources. Listeners will gain actionable perspectives on building effective teams and navigating the rapidly changing compliance landscape.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Nadège Rochel, a passionate advocate for people-first leadership and integrity-driven culture. Nadège shares her innovative (but intuitive!) approach to compliance—making it engaging, memorable, and effective by focusing on human connection, creativity, and co-creation with business stakeholders. The conversation explores how compliance can be a catalyst for trust, resilience, and growth, rather than simply being seen as a constraint. The discussion offers practical tips for building relationships, influencing behavior, and measuring real impact. Listeners will gain insights on transforming compliance from a perceived “no” function into a valued business partner, and learn how empathy, curiosity, and a marketer’s mindset can drive meaningful change.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Michael Miller, co-founder of the London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Center, for an in-depth discussion on the transformative power of Vedic meditation. Discover how meditation can enhance well-being, boost professional performance, and foster healthier workplace cultures. Hear personal stories, myth-busting insights, and practical advice for busy professionals looking to integrate meditation into their daily routines. Whether you’re curious about mindfulness, seeking ways to manage stress, or interested in building a resilient organizational culture, this episode offers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Fraser Simpson, enterprise strategy lead at the Wellcome Trust, to explore how organizations can make governance and compliance more human. The conversation delves into the importance of shaping ethical cultures that go beyond policies and procedures, focusing on real human behavior, creativity, and engagement. Fraser shares insights from Wellcome’s innovative “speak-up” program and the creation of Connie, a puppet character designed to spark ethical conversations and strengthen judgment across the organization. The episode also discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by technology and AI in compliance, emphasizing the need to support—not replace—human judgment.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Camilla Kring, founder of Super Navigators. Camilla shares her journey and explores how biological rhythms shape productivity, well-being, and workplace culture. The conversation delves into the science of sleep, challenges myths about early rising, and highlights the risks of living out of sync with our internal clocks. Listeners will hear practical insights on fostering chrono-inclusive organizations, supporting diverse work rhythms, and creating healthier, more effective workplaces. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that offers actionable steps for leaders and teams to empower individuals and drive lasting impact.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by Rebecca Mayfield, group compliance director and senior legal counsel at Merlin Entertainments. Rebecca shares her unconventional career journey, her passion for creative and engaging compliance training, and her commitment to mentoring and giving back to underserved communities. The conversation explores how injecting curiosity, playfulness, and storytelling into ethics and compliance can drive real engagement and lasting impact. Listeners will hear practical insights on measuring success, building meaningful relationships, and empowering individuals to speak up. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that challenges traditional approaches and highlights the importance of fun, empathy, and imagination in compliance.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, are joined by neuropsychologist Sarah Zheng to explore the human factor in cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the psychology behind hacking, the role of emotions and context in falling for scams, and the evolving risks posed by emerging technologies like AI and brain-computer interfaces. Sarah shares insights from her research at the Dawes Centre for Future Crime and her book, The Psychology of Cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of operational resilience and creative approaches to cyber awareness. Listeners will learn practical strategies for building a culture of psychological safety and reporting, as well as actionable steps to enhance organizational cyber resilience. 

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery are joined by Klaus Moosmayer, a distinguished leader in ethics, risk, and compliance, and a current member of the supervisory board of Deutsche Bank. The conversation delves into the importance of integrated assurance—breaking down organizational silos to foster collaboration across risk, compliance, strategy, HR, and legal functions. Klaus shares practical examples from his career, including how crisis moments can drive meaningful change and the value of crowdsourcing a code of ethics to truly engage employees. Behavioral science and its role in shaping ethical decision-making are highlighted, along with actionable insights for boards and compliance professionals. Tune in for fresh perspectives, real-world strategies, and inspiration to connect, innovate, and elevate compliance culture in your organization.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, join Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab, and Richard Bistrong of Front-Line Anti-Bribery, as they welcome Dorie Clark—a top business thinker, communications coach, and bestselling author—for an impactful discussion on authentic networking and relationship-building in the compliance and legal world. Discover practical strategies for connecting with peers, navigating business dynamics, and fostering trust, including the “no ask for a year” rule and tips for making meaningful introductions. This episode offers actionable advice for compliance professionals and anyone looking to build influence and genuine connections. Tune in for fresh perspectives and start your year with new ideas for personal and professional growth.

On this episode of Culture & Compliance Chronicles, Amanda Raad and Nitish Upadhyaya from Ropes & Gray’s Insights Lab welcome Annastiina Hintsa, CEO of Hintsa Performance. The conversation examines the relationship between well-being and sustainable high performance, the importance of personal identity, and the impact of holistic health on resilience and productivity. Annastiina shares insights from her work with elite athletes and business leaders, practical strategies for integrating well-being into daily routines, and advice on defining success beyond professional achievements. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on fostering a culture that prioritizes well-being, actionable tips for improving performance, and a timely reminder of why investing in health is essential for long-term success.