Kim O’Donnell

As an Ethics and Compliance Lead Investigator with UK and European responsibility, Kim combines extensive policing experience into senior corporate investigations. Known for calm leadership in complex, high-risk environments, she specialises in ethical decision-making, governance, and building trust through fair, trauma-informed investigations.

What makes you a Risky Woman?

Kim challenges entrenched systems, asks difficult questions, and makes principled decisions under pressure. Drawing on frontline policing experience, she combines empathy with investigative rigour to protect people, organisations, and integrity, even when outcomes are uncomfortable.

Name your top 3 achievements

1. Leading complex, high-risk ethics and compliance investigations across the UK and Europe, providing trusted advice to senior stakeholders on sensitive matters involving regulatory, reputational, and people risk
2. Successfully translating investigative leadership from policing into the corporate environment, embedding robust, fair, and trauma-informed investigation practices aligned to governance and compliance standards
3. Building credibility as a subject matter expert in investigations and ethics, influencing organisational culture while mentoring and developing others transitioning into risk and compliance careers

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

Leaving a secure role in policing to move into corporate ethics investigations. The transition required rebuilding professional identity, navigating a new risk landscape, and trusting that investigative leadership skills would translate beyond the public sector.

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

She decompresses by lifting heavy weights, using strength training as therapy and a secret weapon for resilience, mental clarity, and calm judgement in high-pressure ethical investigations.

What is the best quality for successful leaders in Risk?

Sound judgement; knowing when to hold the line, when to challenge, and when to act, guided by evidence, values, and experience rather than comfort.