Jennifer Newton to Speak at Compliance Week National 2026 on “The Power of Formal and Informal Mentoring in Compliance”
The compliance profession is built on more than regulations, frameworks, and policies. At its core, it is a profession rooted in guidance, leadership, accountability, and the transfer of knowledge from one generation of professionals to the next. That is why we are excited to announce that Jennifer Newton, Founder of StartSmart Counsel, will be speaking at Compliance Week National 2026 in Washington, D.C.
The conference will take place May 6–8, 2026, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., bringing together compliance leaders, risk professionals, regulators, legal practitioners, and ethics experts from across the country.
Jennifer’s session, “The Power of Formal and Informal Mentoring in Compliance,” will explore one of the most important—but often overlooked—drivers of success within the compliance industry: mentorship.
Why Mentorship Matters in Compliance
Compliance is not a field that professionals can navigate successfully in isolation. While technical expertise and regulatory knowledge are critical, many of the most valuable lessons in compliance are learned through relationships, observation, and shared experiences.
Mentorship plays a critical role in helping professionals:
Navigate complex regulatory environments
Develop leadership and executive presence
Build confidence in high-pressure situations
Expand professional networks
Understand organizational dynamics
Transition into senior leadership roles
Create sustainable career pathways for emerging talent
Jennifer Newton has long been an advocate for mentorship as a strategic tool for strengthening the compliance profession. Through her work with the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals (NABCRMP), she has helped create opportunities for professionals at every stage of their careers to connect, grow, and lead.
Formal vs. Informal Mentoring
In her session, Jennifer will discuss the unique value of both formal and informal mentoring structures within organizations and professional communities.
Formal Mentoring
Formal mentoring programs provide structure, accountability, and measurable development opportunities. These programs often include:
Defined mentorship goals
Scheduled meetings
Career development planning
Leadership exposure
Sponsorship opportunities
Skills development tracking
Organizations that invest in formal mentorship programs often see stronger employee engagement, retention, and leadership development outcomes.
Informal Mentoring
Equally powerful are the informal mentoring relationships that naturally emerge through shared experiences, networking, collaboration, and community-building.
Informal mentorship often occurs:
During professional events and conferences
Through peer-to-peer relationships
In affinity groups and professional organizations
Through volunteer leadership opportunities
In everyday workplace interactions
Jennifer will highlight how some of the most transformative career moments happen through authentic relationships and access to professionals willing to share guidance, perspective, and opportunity.
Building the Next Generation of Compliance Leaders
As regulatory environments become more complex and organizations face growing expectations around ethics, governance, culture, and accountability, developing the next generation of compliance leaders has become increasingly important.
Jennifer’s work has consistently focused on:
Expanding access to mentorship opportunities
Increasing diversity within compliance leadership
Creating sustainable professional pipelines
Encouraging ethical leadership and community impact
Supporting professionals navigating career transitions
Her session will provide practical insights for:
Compliance officers
Risk professionals
In-house counsel
HR and ethics leaders
Emerging professionals
Organizations seeking to strengthen talent development initiatives
Compliance Week National remains one of the leading events for compliance and ethics professionals nationwide. Jennifer’s session promises to be an impactful conversation on leadership, professional development, and the importance of investing in people within the compliance industry.
If you are attending Compliance Week National 2026, be sure to attend:
“The Power of Formal and Informal Mentoring in Compliance”
📍 The Mayflower Hotel — Washington, D.C.
📅 May 6–8, 2026
We look forward to seeing the important conversations and connections this session will inspire.
