On March 18, Amsterdam played host to a thought-provoking Ethics and Compliance Masterclass, held in collaboration with the International Compliance Association (ICA). Set against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, the session delved into key findings from the 2025 Ethics & Compliance Program Effectiveness Report.
Industry leaders and experts gathered to discuss how high-impact programs are staying ahead and what organizations can do to close the gap. The conversations were candid, insightful, and filled with practical strategies for navigating today's compliance challenges.
Meet the speakers
The masterclass, hosted by Tim Tyler (Vice President of the International Compliance Association), was enriched by insights from a panel of industry leaders:
- Meredith Hunt - Ethics & Compliance Advisor, LRN
- Matthijs Veenema - Global Business Conduct Director EMEA & APR, Eastman Chemicals B.V.
- Susan du Becker - Director, Risk & Compliance, Microsoft
- Charlie Patrick - Partner, Forensic Risk Alliance
The conversation focused on 4 key insights from the report:
1. Emerging generational divides in ethical culture
One of the standout insights from the report was the growing generational divide—Gen Z employees are twice as likely to express skepticism about managerial fairness.
Susan attributed this to the media-saturated world younger generations live in: “They’re constantly exposed to fake news and media, so their skepticism is not surprising.” She pointed out the lack of transparency from some managers only feeds this distrust.
Matthijs added nuance by highlighting that Gen Z's skepticism also stems from a shift in career expectations. “They’re not necessarily following a linear growth trajectory or chasing middle management roles—they want impact and purpose now, not ten years from now.” His advice? Don’t box them in or label them—build bridges, not barriers, by finding allies and partners among them.
2. The middle management perception gap
The report uncovered a striking perception gap—while 79% of respondents believe executives lead with values during tough decisions, only 37% say the same for middle management.
Matthijs acknowledged the unique pressure middle managers face. “They’re caught in the middle—ambitious, under scrutiny, and juggling executive’s demands.” These pressures can compromise their ability to act ethically unless organizations actively support them.
Meredith echoed this sentiment, urging organizations to look upstream. “If middle management is feeling the squeeze, executives must ask what message they are cascading. Tone from the top matters.”
The panel unanimously agreed: middle management must be empowered with proper training, clear expectations, and support systems—not just held accountable after the fact.
3. Data, benchmarking & advanced tools: Measuring what matters
High-impact E&C programs are nearly twice as likely to use benchmarking, reporting data, and tools like analytics and automation to drive effectiveness.
Charlie summed it up: “You get what you measure.” He emphasized that performance appraisals should include alignment with company values—not just KPIs.
Compliance teams, he argued, should go beyond just monitoring. “We need to deliver on the promise of the program—not just track it.” He added that technology can help do that at scale, highlighting that automation, data analysis, and predictive tools are not just a luxury—they’re essentials in today’s compliance toolkit.
4. Emerging risks: AI, supply chains & third-party due diligence
The panel dove deep into emerging risk areas, especially the critical lag in third-party and supply chain compliance. High-impact programs are outpacing others by as much as 2.3x in adoption rates.
Organizations need to prioritize their high-risk areas—focusing efforts where they are most needed to mitigate third-party risk. Matthijs offered a sobering reminder: “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” He stressed the need for early, layered discussions on ethical decision-making and long-term thinking.
Susan reinforced the importance of inward threat modelling, and not just outward. “You can’t boil the ocean. Focus on high-risk areas in your organization that you can control. Simplify your policies so they’re easy to understand and practical—not just written in legal language.”
Final thoughts from the experts
The session closed with impactful reflections from each panelist:
- Susan du Becker: “Learn, listen, and lean on your peers—compliance is a community effort.”
- Meredith Hunt: “Clarify your values. Know who you are and where you want to go as an organization.”
- Matthijs Veenema: “Invest in your people. Create partnerships and allies across all levels.”
- Charlie Patrick: “Your company values haven’t changed—and neither should you.”
If you missed the session or want to explore the insights further, download the full 2025 Ethics & Compliance Program Effectiveness Report to understand what separates high-impact E&C programs from the rest—and how your organization can get there.
