LaSalle Vaughn stands at the forefront of ethics and compliance, redefining what it means to lead with purpose in a complex and highly regulated industry. As Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Officer for Altruist—a fintech innovator breaking down barriers to wealth creation—LaSalle brings over two decades of expertise to the table. With a career spanning roles at Robinhood, Bestow, and USAA, his focus has always been on empowering people, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology to safeguard both customers and businesses.
Impact Beyond the Title
For LaSalle, the essence of his role goes far beyond compliance. “Every person in our company is a compliance, ethics, and risk officer, not just those in my department,” he explains. His philosophy rests on three pillars: People, Process, and Technology.
- People: LaSalle views his team as advisors, not enforcers. By empowering colleagues across the company, he fosters a culture where everyone feels responsible for mitigating risks and protecting customers.
- Process: Drawing on William Deming’s insight that most business problems are process-related, LaSalle champions efficiency and clarity to reduce issues and accelerate growth.
- Technology: While technology is a powerful tool, LaSalle emphasizes that it must complement a strong compliance culture and robust processes. When done right, technology frees teams to focus on critical challenges rather than tedious tasks.
Building a Speak-Up Culture
A staunch advocate for transparency and collaboration, LaSalle believes in the transformative power of listening. “When employees feel frozen—unable to speak up—it affects their work, their home life, and our business,” he says. Creating a safe environment where employees feel heard not only drives productivity but also strengthens trust and morale.
One standout example? A team investigation where a speak-up moment sparked a company-wide initiative. When an employee questioned the ethics of a business decision, leadership responded within days with an All Hands meeting, fostering open dialogue and reinforcing trust. The employee’s reaction? “It’s good to see how we make decisions aligned with mission and values.”
Listening Up and Elevating Collaboration
LaSalle believes companies prove they are listening by training leaders to respond without judgment, ensuring confidentiality, and always closing the loop with employees. “It’s about saying what we will do and doing what we say,” he notes. These trust-building actions are the foundation of collaboration, turning compliance into a cultural advantage.
A Leader of Impact
From his time as a US Naval Officer to his current role, LaSalle has consistently demonstrated leadership with purpose. As a published thought leader and speaker, he continues to inspire others to see compliance as a driver of innovation and trust.
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? Let us know!
