For Micheal Sheehy, Chief Compliance Officer at Payoneer, the financial technology company empowering the world’s small and medium-sized businesses to transact, do business and grow globally, compliance is about more than just adhering to regulations—it’s about fostering trust, building a culture of integrity, and enabling sustainable business success. With over a decade of expertise in financial compliance, Micheal’s leadership in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), online payments, and data protection spans the globe, including the United States, Europe, and APAC. His mission is to align compliance with strategic goals, ensuring it empowers people and drives innovation.
Defining Impact in Compliance
Micheal’s approach to compliance centers on a guiding principle: creating a culture where ethics and integrity are ingrained in every aspect of the business. His focus can be distilled into six key areas:
- Cultivating a Culture of Integrity: Compliance should be woven into daily practices, empowering employees to act ethically without second thought.
- Protecting the Organization: By proactively identifying and mitigating risks, Micheal helps Payoneer navigate regulatory complexities and avoid potential pitfalls.
- Building Trust and Transparency: Strong compliance practices aren’t just about avoiding fines; they’re about earning trust with employees, customers, and regulators.
- Enabling Business Success: Compliance, when integrated effectively, is not a barrier but a driver of innovation and growth.
- Empowering and Educating Employees: Through robust training programs, Micheal ensures employees feel confident and equipped to make ethical decisions.
- Staying Agile: In a fast-evolving regulatory landscape, Micheal’s ability to adapt ensures Payoneer stays ahead of emerging risks.
“It’s not just about protecting the organization,” Micheal emphasizes, “but about creating an environment where trust and accountability drive long-term success for our stakeholders, including our customers.”
The Role of Ethics and Compliance in Shaping Work
Micheal believes ethics and compliance can transform the workplace in profound ways. By creating fair and transparent environments, organizations build stronger trust, improve employee morale, and contribute to sustainable industry standards.
“Ethical practices don’t just protect businesses—they set the tone for an entire ecosystem,” he says. “When companies lead with integrity, they create ripple effects that inspire others to follow suit.”
Listening Up: Building Trust Through Action
For Micheal, proving to employees that they are truly heard requires a commitment to transparency, action, and accountability:
- Transparent Communication: Micheal advocates for regular updates to employees, showing how their feedback influences decision-making.
- Actionable Feedback: Suggestions and concerns must lead to tangible changes. Feedback loops, where employees can track the outcomes of their input, are vital.
- Leadership Engagement: Leaders must actively listen, visibly support changes, and model the behavior they want to see.
- Recognition and Accountability: Celebrating employee contributions and holding leaders accountable for addressing feedback are key trust-building behaviors.
“At its core, listening isn’t just about hearing,” Michael explains. “It’s about showing employees that their voices matter—and backing that up with meaningful action.”
A True Integrity Innovator
As Payoneer’s Chief Compliance Officer, Micheal exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity in a complex and fast-moving industry. His work not only safeguards the organization but also builds a foundation of trust, transparency, and ethical behavior that inspires employees and stakeholders alike.
This blog post is part of our ongoing Integrity Innovators series recognizing the movers and shakers of the ethics and compliance space who truly embody Active Integrity. Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate them now!
