Last week, Nashville welcomed over 1,200 compliance and ethics professionals for the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE)’s Compliance & Ethics Institute. The Rethink Compliance team was well-represented, with experts from across our organization attending sessions, networking with peers, and gathering insights that are already shaping how we think about the future of compliance.
From AI integration and modern training approaches to the evolving regulatory landscape, this year's conference highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing compliance professionals today. Our team came back energized and full of ideas — and we wanted to share some of their key takeaways with you.
Here's what caught our attention and got us thinking about what's next for compliance programs:
Andrea Falcione —
As an industry, we care: I remain heartened by the passion and spirit with which our compliance and ethics peers approach their important jobs — from the most seasoned veterans to the folks who are new to our industry.
I am cautiously optimistic: The presence of several DOJ prosecutors, members of the FBI, etc. gave me hope that regulators and enforcement agencies will continue to understand the value of what we do to make Corporate America (and its global counterparts) a better place.
Being real works: Never underestimate the sheer power of authenticity. I find that it makes my presentations more engaging and successful — and the presenters I enjoyed the most last week were those who felt the most authentic to me.
Patti Caswell —
Compliance still matters: I was encouraged to hear from a renowned antitrust lawyer that he believes antitrust investigations and prosecutions will increase under the current administration after a marked decline under the Biden administration.
We need to bridge the legal and compliance gap: Based on various discussions I had with veterans in the compliance space, I continue to be disappointed by how little in-house and law firm lawyers seem to understand about compliance and the value that compliance professionals bring to their organizations.
Compliance is a great career choice: I remain proud that I have dedicated much of my career to compliance and ethics — surrounding myself with such kind and smart people who are passionate about doing good for their organizations energizes me every day.
Heather Foster —
Shorter is better: Compliance practitioners are seeking tools to enhance communication and engagement, recognizing the limited attention spans of their evolving user audience. YouTube, with over two billion users, has seen significant adoption of its "Shorts" feature by both content creators and viewers. In 2024, YouTube Shorts garnered an average of 70 billion daily views, highlighting the need for shorter, more concise communications and training materials in our industry.
AI is everywhere: AI is transforming all aspects of compliance, and many sessions addressed how to leverage and govern AI responsibly. Topics ranged from automation and predictive analysis to risk management.
Compliance teams continue to evolve: The energy and desire of ethics and compliance professionals to learn and try new things was encouraging and exuding. It made me excited to come back and think about how we can advance compliance training and communications to continue to make them relevant for our customers in today's world.
Jamie McKillop —
Buyers beware: every vendor seems to be promoting their new AI-powered features, but companies should be cautious. Beyond undertaking the necessary due diligence related to AI's inherent risks, compliance professionals should make sure vendors can clearly articulate how their tools that leverage AI actually work — and what direct benefits their customers will see as a result.
Effective communication will be key: between the cultural tension of our times and the acute differences in the different generations that make up our workforce, effectively communicating the right messages to the right audiences will be a critical skill set for compliance teams moving forward.
The struggle is real: Organizations continue to grapple with managing conflicts of interest disclosures. Whether it's technical limitations, a lack of resources, or both, logistical challenges still make managing this key element of a compliance program harder than it should be.
Phoebe Larson —
Compliance training has to evolve with the times: It's a serious time in the world, and adults are navigating serious issues. Compliance training has to rise to that reality. Learners want smart, quick courses that respect their time and experience — content that's sophisticated, relevant, and immediately applicable. That means moving beyond gimmicks, gamification, or oversimplified formats and delivering training that meets adults where they are.
Buyers beware (part two!): AI was all the buzz — on the vendor floor and in nearly every session. It's encouraging to see so much energy around what AI can bring to compliance training, but the real opportunity goes deeper than just saying "we use AI." Compliance professionals should look past the buzzwords and ask the tougher questions: How does this tool meaningfully improve outcomes? Where does it add efficiency, clarity, or engagement? AI in compliance will only be transformative if it's applied thoughtfully, not superficially.
Pop culture is a great teaching tool: From slang-laden session titles to Barbie movie clips, pop culture was everywhere. The message is clear: compliance training shouldn't feel dated or disconnected. Using current references, fresh case studies, and modern design makes learning more engaging and relatable. Gone are the days of stiff scripts and awkwardly staged wrongdoing; today's training should look and sound like the world employees actually live in.
What This Means for Your Compliance Program
The themes that emerged from Nashville — authenticity in communication, thoughtful AI integration, modern training approaches, and the need for continuous evolution — aren't just conference talking points. They're the realities shaping successful compliance programs right now.
At Rethink Compliance, these insights are already influencing how we approach everything from training design to Code development to program analytics. The compliance landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead means embracing both the opportunities and challenges our industry faces.
Ready to put these insights to work in your compliance program? Let's discuss how the latest compliance trends and proven strategies can strengthen your organization's approach. Contact us to schedule a conversation with our team about modernizing your compliance program to address today's realities.
