Beyond the DPA: Maintaining an Effective Compliance Culture Post-Release

Welcome to the Hughes Hubbard Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Practice Group’s podcast, All Things Investigation. In this podcast, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP partner Mike Huneke and I speak with Mei Li Zhen, Head of Ethics & Compliance, Commercial Operations & Subsidiaries, Airbus, about her role in the organization's compliance department. Mei Li Zhen and Michael Huneke are two accomplished professionals with extensive backgrounds in compliance programs and company culture, having both transitioned from external counsel to in-house counsel roles at Airbus. With her experience working with diverse international backgrounds, Zhen believes that a strong, company-wide, embraced compliance program is not just about avoiding fines but is a competitive advantage that attracts young talent and gains the trust of investors and governments. She sees integrity as beneficial for the bottom line and emphasizes the importance of everyone in the organization feeling responsible for behaving with integrity. Huneke, a US-qualified lawyer working in France, shares a similar perspective. He sees a strong compliance program as a self-reinforcing cycle that attracts the right talent and enhances the business's reputation and reliability. Like Zhen, Huneke believes that compliance should permeate the entire company culture, with every employee feeling accountable for maintaining integrity in their daily activities. Key Highlights: Airbus' Global Commitment to Compliance and Trust Ethics Ambassadors Shaping Airbus Compliance Culture Enhancing Team Trust through Transparent Communication Establishing Trust Through Empathetic Communication Practices Ethical Compliance Leadership in the Aerospace Industry Resources: Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP Website Mei Li Zhen on LinkedIn