Open to opportunities

Paulina Medina

@paulinamedina1

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Compliance executive building global governance programs that prevent risk and enable IPO readiness.

Mexico

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead high-impact global compliance and ethics programs, partnering cross-functionally and reporting to executives/boards to design controls, strengthen investigations, and enable responsible growth and IPO readiness.

I’m a global compliance executive with a proven track record of transforming reactive organizations into robust corporate governance systems. I designed, built, and scaled Kavak Holdings’ global compliance program from scratch during hypergrowth and IPO readiness, operating with direct reporting to C-Level and continuous Board exposure.

I lead cross-functional work across HR, Finance, Operations, Legal, Loss Prevention, and Data Science to convert complex risks into sustainable operational controls. Highlights include a 35% reduction in incidents, management of 467 cases through the integrity channel (2024–25), and >90% executive participation in global compliance training across ~75 legal entities and 8+ jurisdictions.

My deep expertise covers AML/CTF, anti-corruption, internal investigations, data governance, and multi-jurisdictional risk management. I’ve implemented comprehensive programs including risk matrices and executive dashboards for the Board, full AML programs (vulnerable activity identification, customer due diligence, regulatory reports), redesigned whistleblower protections, and built a complete regulatory framework to track obligations, permits, licenses, and active litigation.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Global Compliance Manager

Kavak Holdings

Apr 2022 - May 2026 (4 years 1 month)

Built Kavak’s global compliance program from scratch for a USD 8.7B enterprise with ~75 legal entities across 8+ jurisdictions, converting reactive controls into an operational corporate governance system. Reduced key-operation incidents by 35%, managed 467 integrity cases (2024–25), and achieved >90% executive participation in global compliance training.

Anti Corruption Internal Investigations Corporate Governance Global Risk Management Data Governance Board Reporting

Corporate & Compliance Attorney

Russell Bedford México

Oct 2021 - Apr 2022 (6 months)

Provided AML/CTF advisory, regulatory control design, and compliance audit support, including compliance diagnostics and gap analyses against international standards. Supported implementation of internal controls and enterprise risk-mitigation strategies for client companies.

AML & Regulatory Compliance Audits Risk Assessment Gap Analysis Internal Controls Corporate Governance

Litigation Attorney

Observatorio Legal

Apr 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 year 6 months)

Handled strategic corporate-criminal litigation, assessed corporate criminal risk, and advised on legal entity criminal liability. Supported companies in criminal investigations and corporate criminal defense proceedings, including regulatory risk analysis and evidentiary documentation.

Corporate Criminal Liability Legal Entity Risk

Legal Analyst

Fiscalía de la Ciudad de México

Feb 2010 - Apr 2019 (9 years 2 months)

Supported public-sector criminal investigations by analyzing complex cases, preparing evidentiary documentation, and coordinating across institutions under high-pressure timelines. Contributed legal support for criminal proceedings and inter-institutional coordination.

Criminal Case Analysis Legal Documentation Investigation Legal Analysis Case Management