José Hernandez

Dr José Hernandez is a globally recognised authority in corporate misconduct, compliance, and ethical leadership, specialising in guiding multinational organisations through complex fraud, bribery, and corruption challenges. A former PwC partner and co-founder of FGI Europe alongside former FBI Director Louis Freeh, he has advised major corporations including FIFA, Siemens, and Ericsson, and authored the acclaimed book *Broken Business*. He also serves on the Government of Canada's Advisory Committee on Money Laundering and teaches at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His sessions equip leaders with practical frameworks to strengthen organisational integrity, embed ethical decision-making, and navigate crises with confidence and clarity.

Dr José Hernandez co-founded FGI Europe in 2008 alongside former FBI Director Louis Freeh, building one of the world's most respected corporate investigation and remediation firms following a distinguished career as a partner in PwC's Capital Markets and Forensics practice groups. His journey from war-torn El Salvador to the boardrooms of multinational corporations has shaped a career dedicated to confronting fraud, bribery, and corruption at the highest levels. Today, as an independent advisor, CEO, investor, and non-executive director at Kelvin Thermal Energy, he guides corporate leaders through the most challenging crises and investigations, helping organisations emerge stronger and more resilient.

Dr Hernandez has advised some of the world's most prominent organisations during their most critical moments, including SNC-Lavalin, FIFA, Siemens, Telia, Bilfinger, Ahold, Ericsson, and Daimler. His expertise extends beyond crisis response into systemic reform, captured in his widely acclaimed book, *Broken Business: Seven Steps to Reform Good Companies Gone Bad*, which provides a practical roadmap for organisations seeking to rebuild trust and integrity. As an educator, he teaches at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and contributes to ESG programmes with Competent Boards and IBEC Academy, shaping the next generation of ethical leaders. His academic credentials include an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics, a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo, and a PhD in Economics and Business Administration from VU Amsterdam. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, and Chartered Financial Analyst, underpinning his multifaceted approach to corporate governance and compliance.

Dr Hernandez equips leaders with the frameworks and confidence needed to navigate ethical dilemmas, strengthen organisational integrity, and respond decisively when misconduct occurs. His sessions move beyond theory, offering practical tools that organisations can implement immediately to embed ethical decision-making into their culture and operations. He also serves on the Government of Canada's Advisory Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, testified before British Columbia's Cullen Commission, and sits on the President's International Advisory Board at the University of Waterloo, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to policy reform and systemic change. Audiences leave his presentations with a clearer understanding of the risks their organisations face, actionable strategies to mitigate those risks, and renewed conviction that ethical leadership is both achievable and essential for long-term success.