From Martial Arts to Business Success: Ernesto Gerardo’s Journey

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited Staci Wright, a leader in the heart-profit movement. Staci Wright is a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio of six successful businesses, ranging from service-based to product-based ventures, established over the past two decades. Her perspective on the “heart profit movement” is rooted in her belief in the power of compassion, care, and connection in the workplace to not only enhance productivity but also address important societal issues. This perspective is born from her experience leading “IP2Market,” a company that merges manufacturing patented products with a focus on building brands that prioritize employees’ welfare. As the founder of the Heart Profit movement, Staci has implemented initiatives like onsite childcare, meals, and mental health coaching in her workplaces, embodying her view that a supportive environment allows employees to flourish rather than merely survive. This approach to business, she believes, fosters a more compassionate era where profit does not come at the expense of employee care. Key Highlights: Footrest-Inspired Self-Care Products for Bath Time Compassionate Workplace Culture Initiative Employee Wellbeing Initiatives in Manufacturing Cultivating Compassionate Work Environments for Success Compassionate Workplace Solutions: Profit with Heart Resources Staci Wright on LinkedIn  Heart Profit Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, Tom Fox visited Susan K. Younger, a self-styled ‘relationship architect. Find out how her strategies will help you to drive your corporate culture. Susan K. Younger, an expert with a diverse background in architecture and massage therapy, has carved a unique path in her career by integrating practices from both fields. She views transformative leadership as a dynamic process to adapt and evolve in accordance with changing times. Her perspective is influenced by her unique professional journey, from retail architecture to a holistic approach to body structures and environmental spaces. Susan believes in the importance of openness to new ideas and perspectives, considering different viewpoints, and willingness to modify processes for better outcomes. For her, the essence of transformative leadership lies in staying curious and receptive, thereby driving positive change within organizations. Key Highlights: What is a relationship architect? Interpersonal Structure Builder Cultural Values in Multinational Transformative Leadership Proactive Contributors Fostering Positive Work Culture Understanding Value Perspectives for Compliance Engagement Enhancing Workplace Collaboration Through Generational Values Resources: Susan K. Younger on LinkedIn  Susan K. Younger website Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, Tom Fox visited Glenn Andrew on his initiative, Allstar Leadership. Glenn Andrew is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in ocean engineering and business leadership, marked by his initial experience in submarine building and subsequent progression into leadership roles. Andrew subscribes to the belief that self-leadership is a fundamental process that individuals must master before they can effectively lead others. He views self-leadership as a continuous journey, not a final destination, emphasizing the development of skills such as managing overwhelm, clarifying goals, and honing emotional intelligence. His views are influenced by his professional experiences and his personal transformation, including the recent achievement of losing 53 pounds, a testament to his conviction in the role of physical health in effective self-leadership. He underscores the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, vision-sharing, and a focus on long-term impact in both personal and professional spheres as the cornerstones of successful leadership. Key Highlights: Enhancing Leadership Through Self-Management Journey Physical Well-being for Effective Leadership Leadership Impact through Lifelong Learning Journeys Biological-Based Communication Style Assessment Tool Resources: Glenn Andrew on LinkedIn  Allstar Leadership Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation takes many forms, and compliance professionals must be ready for and embrace it. Today, Tom Fox visited with Matt DeLauro, SEON’s Chief Revenue Officer. Matt discussed the SEON software solution for fraud risk and anti-money laundering. Matt DeLauro is a financial industry veteran with over two decades of experience specializing in developing and implementing software solutions for various financial entities. With a focus on financial services and fintech, he currently serves as the chief revenue officer at SEON, a company dedicated to fraud prevention and anti-money laundering (AML) technology. DeLauro’s perspective on AML regulations stems from his deep understanding of the fraud community’s interconnected nature and the increasing importance of AML measures due to factors like international conflicts and national security threats. He emphasizes the need for real-time detection services and robust compliance controls in the face of evolving threats, highlighting the impact of sanctions and sanctioned individuals on the need for enhanced compliance. Ultimately, DeLauro views AML as a critical tool in combating financial crimes and preserving the integrity of the global financial system. Key Highlights: Enhanced Efforts Against Financial Crimes Real-time Fraud Detection in Financial Services Automating SAR Generation with Machine Learning Real-time Fraud Detection through Device Fingerprinting Sub secondary Detection of Fraudulent Transactions in Real-Time Resources: Matt DeLauro on LinkedIn  SEON Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited with Jeff Gould, who is America’s storyteller, on his upcoming project for America’s semi-quincentennial birthday celebration in 2026, America’s Story 250. Jeff Gould is lauded as America's storyteller. He is honing the story of America at 250 in 2026 through his project, America at 250. Gould's perspective on American history is one of profound reverence and recognition for the country's narrative, viewing it as a remarkable tale among governmental histories. His perspective is heavily influenced by the opportunities he sees for individuals to combat injustice and foster a fairer system, a theme ingrained in his work with America 250. He places substantial emphasis on acknowledging the flaws and mistakes of historical figures yet, concurrently, underscores the potential that the country and its people hold for growth and progress. Through this lens, Gould sees American history as a symbol of hope and freedom, and thus, he constantly challenges individuals to uphold and perpetuate these values for future generations. Key Highlights: Celebrating America's 250-year Journey Reviving American Heritage Through America’s Story Democratic Ideals: From Tyranny to Resilience Founding Fathers' Longevity in Constitutional Design Leaders who have shaped American identity throughout history Resources: Jeff Gould on LinkedIn  I Like That Story America’s Story 250 Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited Onno Koelman to talk about leader development up and down the organization as well as through a multi-generational workforce. Onno Koelman is a seasoned professional with a robust background in leadership development and training and the founder of Dynamic Leader Development. Koelman’s perspective on leadership development and training is centered on dynamic growth and adaptation, emphasizing the importance of vertical development. His experiences working closely with organizations, including collaborating with key leaders such as a Chief Technology Officer, have shaped his belief that leadership training should go beyond traditional methods and instead focus on developing a more sophisticated way of filtering the world and being less reactive. He also highlights the importance of clarity, a supportive climate, and the right competence within teams to build high-performing teams. Furthermore, Koelman acknowledges the complexity of leading multigenerational teams and suggests that leaders should understand and cater to the different motivations and responses of team members from different generations. Key Highlights: Vertical Growth in Adaptive Leadership Development Transitioning to Management: Developing Coaching Skills Balancing Task-Oriented and Relationship-Based Leadership Model Fostering Clarity, Support, and Competence in Teams Influential Shadow: Understanding Leaders’ Impact Resources: Onno Koelman on LinkedIn  Dynamic Leader Development  Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited Keith Laska to talk about his work in the realm of bitcoin and as a blockchain educator. Keith Laska, a professor at Fordham University and founder of Learn Bitcoin, says that Laska’s perspective on bitcoin is that it can serve as both an investment and a monetary system, depending on the individual’s location and use case. In the United States, he sees bitcoin as a high-growth investment that can outpace inflation, while in countries with high inflation rates like Argentina, Turkey, or Lebanon, he views bitcoin as a more stable and reliable monetary system compared to their local currencies. This dual perspective is shaped by his extensive experience and dedication to staying at the forefront of the evolving field of bitcoin and blockchain. Key Highlights: Evolution of Bitcoin from 2009 to ETFs Blackrock’s Successful Spot Bitcoin ETFs Approval Enhancing Compliance with Blockchain Contracts and AI Fluency in Bitcoin: Educating Future Industry Professionals Resources: Keith Laska on LinkedIn  Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited Ernesto Gerardo, a serial entrepreneur who is helping veterans with finance and housing. Ernesto Gerardo is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in martial arts, business, and coaching. His perspective on his journey from martial arts to real estate investment and veteran coaching is shaped by his unique career trajectory, starting as a martial artist and gym owner, transitioning into the business world, and now running multiple successful ventures. Ernesto leverages his expertise in real estate investment and entrepreneurship to coach and educate clients, including veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs. He is passionate about empowering veterans through his Military Millionaires program, providing resources and support in areas such as real estate investment, financial planning, mental health services, and job placement. Join Tom Fox and Ernesto Gerardo on this episode of the Innovation in Compliance podcast to learn more about Ernesto’s journey and his insights on real estate investment and veteran coaching. Key Highlights: From Martial Arts to Business Success Leveraging Personality Traits for Real Estate Success Optimizing Veteran Benefits for Financial Success Empowering Veterans to Build Wealth and Stability Resources: Ernesto Gerardo on LinkedIn The Military Millionaires Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many forms, and compliance professionals must be ready for and embrace it. Today, I visited with well-known compliance professional Jay Rosen to discuss how companies can improve their compliance programs through self-monitoring. Jay Rosen is a seasoned professional with a background in investment banking and a keen interest in ethics and compliance programs. Rosen’s in-depth analysis of FCPA enforcement actions over the past ten years shaped his perspective on ethics and compliance programs. He believes companies should consider their internal setup before hiring a third party for assistance. He suggests that while an outside perspective can sometimes lead to a deeper investigation, a mature ethics and compliance program with sufficient in-house resources can also be effective. Rosen emphasizes the importance of objectivity in these programs and proposes a compromise of working with a fractional monitor if the company lacks the necessary headcount. He sees the increasing use of data analytics and self-reporting as key factors in improving ethics and compliance efforts within organizations. Resources: Jay Rosen on LinkedIn | Twitter Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn

Innovation comes in many areas and compliance professionals need to not only be ready for it but also embrace it. Today, I visited Jeff Grant, a compassionate leader and the founder of a white collar support group, a platform dedicated to assisting individuals prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families. Jeff’s perspective on the importance of such support groups is shaped by his extensive experience going through the full white collar criminal experience, including jail, disbarment, release, and recovery. He has organized over 400 meetings, creating a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and challenges. Jeff views these groups as a vital resource, filling a significant gap in the criminal justice system by providing knowledge, empathy, and compassion to those who have been isolated and stigmatized. His advocacy for the rights and leniency of individuals prosecuted for white collar crimes is driven by his desire to bring their complex human tragedies to light and promote noncustodial sentences for low-level and nonviolent crimes. Through his work, Jeff continues to expand the impact of these support groups, viewing them as a lifeline for those navigating the challenges of white collar crimes. Key Highlights: The 400th Meeting Supporting Families of White Collar Criminals Transforming Lives Through Spiritual Guidance Supporting White Collar Crime Victims and Advocacy Resources: Jeff Grant on LinkedIn | Twitter Grant Law Prisonist.org Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn