Wendy Badger has perhaps the most specific and well thought out guilty pleasure of anyone in the ARM industry. Leave that to someone who knew in law school that she was looking for a career that is outside of the box. One of the most respected members of the ARM community, you can get it straight from the beagle’s mouth that she’s good at many other things outside of her industry knowledge. Read on to learn more about her.
Name: Wendy Badger
Title: Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, Corporate Compliance
Company: ECMC Group
Length of time at current company: Five years
Length of time in industry: 17 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
By my second year of law school, I knew I wanted a “non-traditional” legal career. The career services area had a job posting for an in-house compliance attorney at a local trade association. I was offered the job the day after the interview. That position was with ACA International, where I spent the first five years of my career.
What is your career highlight so far?
Personally, it is seeing the success of the people I have worked with and (formally or informally) mentored. Knowing I have played some part, however small, in their success is exceedingly gratifying. Many of them have contacted me to thank me and continue to solicit my insight, which is very humbling. Professionally, I hope I haven’t seen my career highlight yet. Thus far, I have built compliance structures at several different companies that were tailored to the specific needs of each organization. It is incredibly rewarding to help organizations realize they can operate in an ethical and compliant manner while still generating revenue. I hope to continue to effect meaningful change within organizations and the compliance landscape generally.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
My mentor and former boss, Rozanne Andersen, Chief Compliance Officer at Ontario Systems.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m not sure I do anything better than anyone else; I only try to do better than I did the last time. However, I’m confident my beagle will tell you I am the best at cuddling with her on the couch (see also my not-so-guilty pleasure).
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive when working on a challenging project where I can do some mental gymnastics, help solve a problem or effect meaningful change.
What do you like most about this industry?
The passion.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
I wish the industry and consumer groups could bridge the gap by recognizing what we have in common rather than focusing on differences. This could lead to momentous discussions, consensus building, and support for clarification in applicable laws.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I would love to perform on Broadway, but other than out loud and off-key, I can’t sing. I’d also love to be a back-up dancer for P!nk or Donny Osmond. Realistically, I would most likely own a Jazzercise center where I could set my schedule and become super physically fit while having fun doing something I love.
Describe a typical work day.
Part of what I enjoy most about my work is that I don’t have a typical work day. I usually get to the office between 7 and 7:30 am. By 8:00 a.m., my day is no longer my own – meetings, phone calls, new projects, emails, text messages, impromptu corridor conversations, strategic thinking sessions, etc. The variety keeps my work interesting and exciting.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Eating milk (not dark) chocolate covered almonds while listening to “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus. And binge watching TV shows (Veronica Mars is one of my favorites!) while cuddling my beagle. Except I don’t feel guilty about any of this.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Do your homework.” It worked all through school and continues to apply to my current role: understanding the business operations; conducting research; preparing for and giving presentations/training; analyzing lawsuit allegations, statutes and regulations; reviewing collection notes, etc. I’m not sure it qualifies as advice, but the quote “If you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room” motivates me to ask questions, think deeper and continue learning.
What are you currently reading?
Nothing, currently. But next on my list is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, which has been recommended to me by several people.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
In everything I do, personally and professionally, I try to bring something new, learn something new and leave it better than I found it.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Tomio Narita, partner at Simmonds and Narita, and Michael Frost, chief compliance and sales officer and general counsel at CBE Companies.
