EFRAIN GONZALEZ
New York,NY
Summary
Former Legal Counsel to a foreign government on Policy, Legislative Affairs and International Development. Legal professional with 10+ years of working experience at the intersection of policy and technology development. Interested in synthesizing expertise in Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships. Published MPA graduate with a focus on Public Policy.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Sponsored Projects
Columbia University
New York
02.2023 - Current
- Provides extensive relationship management leveraging strategic partnerships with industry, Federal and State Governments on FinTech, BioTech and AI to drive innovative collaborative projects
- Develops government solutions in collaboration with federal agencies, cross-functional teams and stakeholders on research policy and development
- Advises executives on regulatory risk and provides research development portfolio & program management to cross-divisional teams to strategically drive pipeline execution and delivery
- Leads Strategic and Change Management Initiatives to proactively restructure corporate operations, redesign the Research Portfolio and reduce non-compliance incidents
- Develops policy content and operating procedures in collaboration with key stakeholders to establish best practices and the overall compliance services
- Provides in-depth review for 20+ proposals weekly, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, leveraging negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions.
Senior Compliance Officer
Columbia University
New York
05.2019 - 02.2023
- Developed proposals and expanded outreach and partnership with federal agencies, increasing success rate by optimizing sponsor communications and submission operations, adding an overall funding of $5M/year
- Successfully managed and enhanced sponsor relationship, resulting in increased funding and a long-term international partnership with the Taiwan Semiconductor Company and other domestic corporations
- Supervised the work of Administrative Officers ensuring proper compliance with corporate policies, budget execution, stakeholder engagement practices and sponsor communications
- Managed a portfolio of 30+ accounts with extended value of $25M; in charge of regulatory risk and reporting through the projects' life-cycle
- Led the Subcontract process including proposal evaluation, cost allocations, financial reporting and subcontract negotiation, with an extended value of $6M.
Consultant - Contract Specialist
Kroll, LLC
New York
04.2018 - 05.2019
- Supervised a team of 7+ on contract review, ensuring compliance with bankruptcy regulations in the high-profile cases of SEARS and Puerto Rico
- Engaged with key stakeholders to address regulatory concerns and streamline compliance processes
- Led the processing of 200+ weekly bankruptcy claims, reorganizing business processes by designing a new task-assignment structure, which increased daily operations efficiency by 25%
- Coordinated with internal teams and external partners to optimize workflow
- Reviewed 1,000+ international contracts, including telecommunications, SaaS, IP licensing, and oil drilling
- Actively engaged with stakeholders to ensure alignment on contract terms and compliance issues, fostering collaborative relationships and informed decision-making.
Legal Counsel
Ministry of Communications, Republic of Cuba
Havana, Cuba
09.2012 - 08.2015
- Drafted strategic policy positions in coordination with key stakeholders on internet surveillance accountability while advocating at the National Security Committee against the Cuban Telecom Company and its violations of trade and consumer protection regulations
- Assessed geopolitical risk and developed strategic political solutions on internet services for the joint venture of Cuba, Jamaica, and Venezuela
- As Legislative Assistant to the Committee on Foreign Investments aided legislators in drafting and negotiating the Foreign Investment Act that promotes international sustainable development
- As Policy Officer and Legislative Liaison advised the Committee on Foreign Relations on matters related to diplomacy, international trade, multilateral agreements and telecommunications
- Advised on the international development of the SEZ Port Mariel in collaboration with government officials of Panama and Brazil through diplomatic outreach and negotiation
- Structured and negotiated more 30+ SaaS and radio spectrum agreements with global ICT service providers, which increased demand for mobile services by 60%.
Legislative Liaison
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
Havana, Cuba
11.2012 - 04.2015
- Advised the Committee on Foreign Relations on diplomacy, international trade, and multilateral agreements on Information Technology.
- Drafted legislative proposals related to foreign relations, and prepared briefings and reports for committee members on relevant foreign policy issues, and international developments.
Legislative Assistant
General Assembly, Republic of Cuba
Havana, Cuba
02.2013 - 03.2015
- Assisted legislators in drafting and negotiating the Foreign Investment Act, which promotes sustainable development by attracting foreign capital and integrating Cuban products and services into international value chains.
- Tracked progress of bills through various stages of approval within Parliament.
- Assisted in developing policy positions for the Member's platform.
Education
MPA - Public Policy -
Columbia University
New York, NY01.2024
Juris Doctor | School of Law -
University of Havana
Havana01.2012
Skills
- Legislative Affairs
- Government Relations
- Research & Innovation Policy
- Politics and Advocacy
- Geopolitical Risk
- Policy Analysis and Development
- Contract Management
- Business Development
- Outreach and Diplomacy
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Negotiation and Collaboration
- Budget Management
- Strategic Planning
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Sponsor Relations
- Contract and Vendor Management
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Publications
- Sanctions in The Modern Structured Finance Market, The Journal of Structured Finance, 10/2022
- Geopolitical Risks, Sanctions and Cybersecurity Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 10/2024
Timeline
Director of Sponsored Projects
Columbia University
02.2023 - Current
Senior Compliance Officer
Columbia University
05.2019 - 02.2023
Consultant - Contract Specialist
Kroll, LLC
04.2018 - 05.2019
Legislative Assistant
General Assembly, Republic of Cuba
02.2013 - 03.2015
Legislative Liaison
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba
11.2012 - 04.2015
Legal Counsel
Ministry of Communications, Republic of Cuba
09.2012 - 08.2015
MPA - Public Policy -
Columbia University
Juris Doctor | School of Law -
University of Havana
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