Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this inaugural episode of 2026, Tom Fox welcomes back his good friend and colleague, Mike Volkov, to reflect on the tumultuous year of 2025 and discuss the new trends for the upcoming year. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.

Highlighting the resilience of corporate ethics amid the suspension of the FCPA, the conversation underscores the necessity for businesses to uphold ethical values, despite regulatory changes. Discussions delve into the importance of demonstrating ethical behavior as a fundamental business value, and the growing significance of organizational justice and trust within corporations. Moreover, they address evolving enforcement in areas such as export controls, trade sanctions, and tariff regulations, suggesting a shift toward rigorous compliance in national security matters. This episode provides a comprehensive outlook on the compliance challenges and opportunities for 2026.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Mike Volkov on LinkedIn

Volkov Law Group

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes, Daniel Zmak, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Diligent to discuss the evolving landscape of compliance. 

They explore the importance of modernizing compliance practices, addressing challenges like fragmentation and fatigue, and leveraging AI and technology to enhance efficiency. Key topics include the compliance maturity journey, connected compliance, and strategies for improving governance and oversight. With actionable insights and practical advice, this session aims to guide compliance professionals through the dynamic changes in the field.

Highlights Include

·       Highs, Lows, and Surprises in Compliance

·       Compliance at an Inflection Point

·       The Compliance Maturity Journey

·       Fragmentation and Fatigue in Compliance

·       Connected Compliance: The Concept, Benefits and Future

·       AI in Compliance: Opportunities and Challenges

·       Dynamic Compliance Programs

Resources

Daniel Zmak on LinkedIn

Diligent Website

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes Stephanie Font from Diligent delve into the intricate landscape of compliance challenges anticipated in 2026 and beyond.

The discussion focuses on the dynamic regulatory environment, specifically around export control, sanctions, and vendor risk. Stephanie shares insights from her extensive background in due diligence, discussing how the scope and focus of due diligence have expanded over the years. The webinar covers compliance challenges associated with BIS and export control compliance, especially the affiliate rule, and the complexities surrounding China-related risk management. Additionally, they explore the DOJ National Security Division's Data Security Program and its impact on compliance. The session emphasizes the necessity of a robust process to manage regulatory instability, highlighting the importance of proactive documentation, risk audits, and continuous monitoring.

Resources

Stephanie Font on LinkedIn

Diligent Website

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes Kristy Grant-Hart, Head of Advisory Services at Diligent's Spark Compliance Group, to discuss where compliance has been in 2025 and where it is going into 2026.

Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart explore the future of corporate compliance in 2026 and beyond. Key discussion areas include the Trump administration's changing focus on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and the implications for third-party due diligence. They also delve into modern slavery laws, the impacts of AI on compliance, and the necessity of a unified approach to compliance strategy.

Additionally, Kristy introduces the Compliance and Ethics Innovation Collective, a new program from Spark and Diligent that integrates services and software to deliver a more robust compliance solution. The session concludes with strategic advice for compliance officers to stay ahead of dynamic regulatory changes and maintain effective risk management.

Resources:

Kristy Grant-Hart on LinkedIn

Diligent Website

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes Nicole Di Schino, Principal Compliance Services Consultant at Diligent’s Spark Compliance Group, to discuss how best to harness AI for your compliance regime through 2026 and beyond.

Nicole and Tom discuss the critical importance of AI governance, compliance, and modern GRC. They cover practical steps for developing comprehensive compliance programs, emphasizing the necessity for AI risk assessments, the establishment of AI governance committees, and the implementation of human oversight in AI processes. Nicole highlights the intrinsic risks of AI, including privacy concerns and AI bias, and shares her personal experiences with AI’s impact in educational settings. Tom underscores the role of compliance education, advocating for the broader view of compliance as an ambassadorial and academic function. This session also explores the integration of AI into compliance workflows and the essential role of board and committee oversight.

Resources:

Nicole Di Schino on LinkedIn

Diligent Website

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes Jim Massey, who has recently released a new book, Risk in Action.

Jim Massey, an accomplished author and behaviorist practitioner, delves into the intricate dynamics of trust within leadership through his book “Risk in Action.” Drawing from his extensive experience in high-stakes boardrooms and executive sessions, Massey emphasizes the crucial role of trust as a foundation for effective action. He explores the interconnected nature of trust, risk, and fear, urging individuals to redefine risk as a prioritization tool that enables progress and bold decision-making. By addressing these themes, Massey aims to spark vital conversations and empower leaders to embrace uncertainty, ultimately encouraging them to take courageous actions that drive growth and innovation.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Risk in Action on Amazon

Jim Massey Website

Jim Massey on LinkedIn

Eastward.ai Website

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Virna di Palma, Head of Global Content and Brand at Ethixbase360.

Virna offers insights into her extensive background in third-party risk management, with a focus on FCPA compliance and the evolution of due diligence. They discuss the ongoing importance of third-party risk management, recent shifts in FCPA enforcement, and the growing impact of new regulations on corporate compliance. Virna highlights the transformative role of automation and AI in enhancing compliance programs while emphasizing the need for human analysis. The conversation also addresses emerging issues, such as modern slavery and sustainability, and explores how organizations can optimize investments in risk management to drive business growth and resilience.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Virna Di Palma on LinkedIn

Ethixbase360

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Richard Graham, Director - KYC / Financial Crime at Moody's, to discuss the newly released AI Risk and Compliance Survey.

Graham shares his extensive background in financial crime and technology, emphasizing his current role, which focuses on KYC and financial crime at Moody's. Together, they discuss the survey's insights, which reveal that 53% of 600 senior risk professionals surveyed are currently using AI for risk management, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Graham explains the crucial role of high-quality data in maximizing AI's potential and highlights its rapid adoption driven by its demonstrated benefits in compliance and risk management. The conversation also explores the evolving role of risk professionals in the context of AI tools, the impact of regulatory awareness, and the industry's shift towards more proactive risk management.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Richard Graham on LinkedIn

Moody’s

Moody’s AI Risk and Compliance Survey

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In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes back Hughes Hubbard partner Mike DeBernardis to explore the unprecedented criminal indictment of Smartmatic and its implications on self-disclosure policies under the current administration. They discuss the rare occurrence of a company facing criminal charges and how it complicates the risk assessment for potential self-disclosure. The conversation covers the unpredictable nature of DOJ actions, the impact of political influence, and the challenges this situation presents for legal advisors and their clients. They also explore the broader implications for corporate compliance, including the increased complexity in predicting outcomes and the necessity for thorough internal investigations.

Key highlights:

Resources: 

Hughes Hubbard & Reed

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In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes Arthur Gollwitzer from the law firm of Jackson Walker to discuss the merits of involving outside counsel in handling False Claims Act cases and the nuances of legal compliance. Arthur shares his experiences in avoiding and defending False Claims Act allegations, the significance of hiring specialized investigative counsel early, and the integrity and credibility required in investigative processes. He also offers insights on the implications of AI regulations in Texas, his time as an Assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of New York, and the honor of representing the United States in court.

Key highlights:

Resources:

JacksonWalker

Arthur Gollwitzer on LinkedIn

Texas 89th Legislature: Key Artificial Intelligence Legislation

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For more information on the use of AI in Compliance programs, my new book is Upping Your Game. You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.com.

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