Anna Hensel

Anna Hensel is a global investigation and regulatory risk advisor at Kroll, specialising in complex, multi-jurisdictional matters, sanctions, and fraud investigations. She supports clients across the deal lifecycle in higher-risk environments—from diligence to remediation—drawing on her extensive commercial experience within two international oil companies.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

I have worked in high-risk investments in fragile and challenging parts of the world – even when that means wearing body armour! I thrive when the investment decision making process is complex and involves balancing commercial, reputational and legal risk.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Protective Risk Management: delivered critical risk management and protective security support to government and extractive-sector clients in some of the world’s most volatile environments, including Iraq, Yemen, Mali, Libya, and Mozambique—safeguarding personnel, assets, and operations under sustained threat.
2. Strategic Intelligence: built and led an upstream business intelligence function for a major international oil company, translating above-ground risk data into actionable insight that shaped multimillion-dollar investments.
3. Global Forensic and Regulatory Expertise: from a Big Four forensics practice to my current role at Kroll, I have supported complex sanctions and fraud investigations for clients

What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

My biggest career risk was stepping outside my comfort zone, accepting roles, and relocating across continents. By embracing difficult decisions—like advocating for asset-protecting divestitures—and country exits in volatile environments, I transformed front-line experience into executive judgment. These leaps shaped me into a stronger advisor for global corporations and law firms

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

Raised and lived in eight countries, I consider three nations home. My Scandinavian roots also explain my lifelong love of heavy metal!

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Successful risk leaders challenge the status quo, ask difficult questions, and stay engaged. Above all, they build trust—earning clients’ confidence and guiding them through uncertainty.