Paola Medina, Esq.
LAKE WORTH BEACH
Summary
Dynamic compliance leader with extensive experience at Hanley Foundation, driving a 30% increase in stakeholder auditing compliance. Extensive experience in contract compliance and risk management, adept at strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in grant administration and policy drafting, fostering operational excellence and regulatory adherence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Director of Organizational Ops/Complianc
Hanley Foundation
West Palm Beach
01.2024 - 09.2025
- Drafted, reviewed, and advised on a broad range of agreements, including vendor contracts, grant agreements, employment-related documents, and MOUs, ensuring legal soundness and organizational risk mitigation.
- Manage the full lifecycle of contract and grant compliance for public and private funding portfolios exceeding $10 million annually, maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, and funder-specific regulations.
- Administer multimillion-dollar government and foundation contracts, including budget development, renewal submissions, and performance reporting, contributing to sustained program funding and operational transparency.
- Advise executive leadership on operational risk and compliance related to behavioral healthcare standards, patient privacy, funder audits, IRB matters, and cross-departmental legal needs.
- Design and deliver ethics and compliance training programs aligned with state and federal behavioral health regulations, fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
- Oversee the implementation and data integrity of operational platforms, including Salesforce and Sunwave, enhancing reporting accuracy, contract visibility, and system-driven decision-making.
- Maintained documentation of program activities and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and partners.
- Supervised a cross functional team including internal systems and treatment compliance director.
Compliance Director
Hanley Foundation
West Palm Beach
07.2023 - 01.2024
- Oversaw organizational compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, proactively mitigating legal risks and increased compliance by 30% in stakeholder auditing.
- Led cross-functional initiatives to embed legal, compliance, and risk management best practices, improving organizational accountability and efficiency.
- Collaborated with the finance team to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for annual third-party audits, ensuring accuracy and regulatory adherence.
- Advised executive leadership (CEO, CFO, COO) on billing strategies and cash flow forecasting, supporting the effective allocation of operational resources.
- Produced comprehensive revenue reports for the Finance Committee and Board of Directors, enhancing fiscal transparency and supporting strategic decision-making.
Compliance Coordinator
Hanley Foundation
West Palm Beach
11.2022 - 07.2023
- Ensured full compliance with program-specific requirements for all federal, state, and local grants awarded to the organization, maintaining audit readiness and contractual integrity.
- Led contract monitoring and licensing validation processes, serving as the key liaison between Programs and Finance to ensure operational alignment.
- Spearheaded the organization-wide Salesforce integration across Prevention and Program departments, automating compliance workflows and improving cross-functional transparency.
- Directed execution of quality assurance initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's Quality Improvement Program and measurable improvements in service delivery.
- Developed and implemented a Microsoft-based compliance tracking system, improving contract deliverable timeliness and enhancing accuracy in reporting across departments.
- Supported compliance audits by gathering necessary documentation and data.
- Assisted in developing training materials on compliance policies and procedures.
Certified Legal Intern
City of Coral Springs City Attorney's Office
Coral Springs
06.2021 - 08.2022
- Represented the City in legal proceedings, under the supervision of deputy city attorney, and provided high quality legal guidance and reports.
- Reviewed, edited, and revised City's contracts to ensure complete legal protection for City.
- Coordinated trial exhibits by organizing materials, writing documentation and preparing digital materials and displays.
- Conducted legal research on various types of laws and provided written reports regarding employment/labor law, insurance law, civil/criminal law, business law, and real estate law.
- Produced timely and accurate legal memorandums for proper compliance with internal policies and procedures.
- Drafted, revised, and reviewed city ordinances, resolutions, local laws, workers' compensation, and grievances.
Judicial Intern to the Honorable Ramiro C. Areces
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Miami
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Provided comprehensive legal research and prepared detailed memorandums to inform and support judicial decision-making.
- Performed thorough analysis of relevant laws, court rulings, and legal documents to assist in the evaluation of cases.
- Led advanced legal research on complex criminal law matters, contributing to the resolution of intricate legal issues.
- Compiled and delivered detailed civil law research for the judge, supporting appellate litigation and quasi-judicial responsibilities.
- Engaged in strategic discussions with the judge to assess potential outcomes and provide insights on civil case decisions.
Contract's Student Teaching Assistant
St. Thomas University College of Law
Miami
08.2020 - 11.2020
- Responsible for assisting contracts law professors during first year contracts law.
- Assisted professors in preparing course materials and resources.
- Organized and maintained classroom supplies and equipment.
Legal Clerk
Broward Legal Aid Immigration Unit
Fort Lauderdale
06.2020 - 11.2020
- Provided staff attorneys with accurate and completed legal forms essential for clients' cases.
- Assisted attorneys with I-485, I-765, I-751 and I-131 immigration forms on e-immigration.
- Conducted legal research on detention, asylum cases and VAWA cases.
Law Clerk
The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen
Orlando
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Provided assistance with clerical work and conducted legal research for memorandums based on criminal law.
- Drafted, reviewed, and revised a wide range of legal documents for the attorney's staff.
- Attended depositions and court proceedings and prepared summaries on cases.
Education
Bar Admission -
The Florida Bar
FloridaSt. Thomas University College of Law -
St. Thomas University College of Law
Miami, FLBachelor of Science - Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FLSkills
- Contract compliance
- Risk management
- Grant administration
- Regulatory knowledge
- Policy drafting
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic decision-making
- Operations management
Language Competencies
- English, native
- Spanish, fluent (speaking, reading, writing)
Bar Admission
Florida
Language Competencies
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Corporate Director of Organizational Ops/Complianc
Hanley Foundation
01.2024 - 09.2025
Compliance Director
Hanley Foundation
07.2023 - 01.2024
Compliance Coordinator
Hanley Foundation
11.2022 - 07.2023
Certified Legal Intern
City of Coral Springs City Attorney's Office
06.2021 - 08.2022
Judicial Intern to the Honorable Ramiro C. Areces
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
01.2021 - 06.2021
Contract's Student Teaching Assistant
St. Thomas University College of Law
08.2020 - 11.2020
Legal Clerk
Broward Legal Aid Immigration Unit
06.2020 - 11.2020
Law Clerk
The Law Office of Corey I. Cohen
01.2018 - 05.2018
Bar Admission -
The Florida Bar
St. Thomas University College of Law -
St. Thomas University College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
University of Central Florida
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