Defi Defi • 4 hours ago

Conference on Governance and Leadership - Yoshinee Parasuraman: "A Well-Governed Organization Inspires Trust"

Conference on Governance and Leadership - Yoshinee Parasuraman: "A Well-Governed Organization Inspires Trust"

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Yoshinee Parasuraman, Head of Compliance at Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited, is a recognized professional in compliance, governance, and risk management. She has established herself as a key figure in these fields. Her career showcases the evolution of a specialist who places rigor, ethics, and strategy at the heart of sustainable development in financial institutions.

Holding a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the University of Mauritius, Yoshinee Parasuraman has steadily built a solid career in the banking sector. She joined Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited in 2014 as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). Since then, she has held several responsible positions, including Head of Financial Crime Compliance and Deputy Head of Compliance, before being appointed Head of Compliance in 2022. She also serves on the bank's Country Management Committee (CMC).

In her current role, she leads the strategic compliance framework of the institution and ensures its effectiveness while maintaining relationships with supervisory authorities. "I have 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, with deep expertise in compliance, financial crime prevention, governance, and risk management," she explains.

Convinced that continuous learning is essential for evolving in a constantly changing financial environment, Yoshinee Parasuraman has enhanced her academic background with several international programs. She has attended master classes at the University of Stellenbosch Business School in strategic thinking and performance coaching. Additionally, she completed the Advanced Management Programme at IMD Business School in 2023 and the Negotiation Programme at the London School of Economics in 2024. Furthermore, she is a certified Ethics Ambassador from The Ethics Institute of South Africa and has chaired the Compliance Committee of the Mauritius Bankers Association.

According to her, compliance should not be seen merely as a regulatory obligation but as a strategic lever. "My approach aims to make compliance a lever for trust, resilience, and sustainable growth for the bank," she emphasizes.

Beyond her career, Yoshinee Parasuraman stresses the crucial importance of governance in today's business world. In a context marked by increased regulatory demands and growing economic complexity, she believes that governance is now a central pillar of corporate performance. "Governance is no longer just a framework for control or compliance. It is a true strategic lever that supports performance, innovation, and stakeholder trust," she asserts.

For the compliance officer, effective governance clarifies responsibilities, enhances decision-making quality, and ensures alignment between strategy and risk management. It also plays a crucial role in promoting a culture of ethics and integrity within organizations.

"A well-governed organization is one that inspires trust among regulators, clients, employees, and the market," states Yoshinee Parasuraman. She sees governance as a key factor in resilience. "When well-rooted, governance becomes a catalyst for success, fostering sustainable growth, responsible innovation, and exemplary ethical compliance," she supports.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. See governance beyond rules

  • Rethink governance as a foundation of fairness, accountability, and trust, rather than just a compliance function.
  • Recognize the risks of a "tick-box" approach that can expose boards and marginalize professionals.

2. Explore the role of determination in governance

  • Understand how perseverance, courage, and resilience enhance the effectiveness of the Company Secretary.
  • Draw inspiration from case studies in "The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary" to understand what happens when governance voices are ignored.

3. Lead through ethical compliance

  • Find a balance between statutory obligations and the courage to speak truth to power.
  • Practice constructive questioning, even when authority, hierarchy, or organizational culture opposes it.

4. Implement determination-based governance

  • Develop strategies to raise concerns when the board is hesitant or distracted.
  • Cultivate habits of curiosity, independent judgment, and professional courage to strengthen governance in practice.
  • Leave with a personal "determination reading grid" to apply during the next board cycle.