Five for Five: Reflecting on a Half-Decade of Impact

Happy 5th Anniversary Christina! Reaching the five-year mark as Senior Legal Counsel is a significant milestone. At this stage, she likely has a deep well of institutional knowledge paired with a sharp perspective on how the industry has evolved. This is what she has to say.  

Q: How has your role evolved from navigating those first-day basics to spearheading major projects? Looking back, is there a specific 'legal win' or complex deal that best exemplifies the strategic value you and the team bring to ST Engineering’s commercial success?  

My role has evolved significantly over the past five years. As ST Engineering has advanced its shared services journey in the U.S., Legal’s work has become more integrated, more cross-functional, and more closely tied to the Group’s broader strategy. That is where the work is most rewarding and where I think legal can unlock the most value: connecting Group priorities with what the business needs on the ground, aligning the right people, and turning complexity into a plan the business can act on. 

One win I am most proud of was a multi-year, cross-functional effort with HR, Operations, and business leadership to modernize and scale our U.S. immigration program for growth in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.  

Q: The aerospace and defense sectors have seen shifts toward digitalization, automation, and AI since you joined in 2021. How has your role as a legal advisor evolved to help the business meet these 'future-forward' challenges? 

Future-forward developments like digitalization, automation and AI have helped us move the conversation away from “Can we do this?” and toward “How do we do this responsibly, commercially, and at speed?” In that sense, these developments have reinforced the importance of what strong in-house legal teams already do well: get in the room early, understand the business objective, think around corners, and help translate uncertainty into practical guidance. In my view, emerging tools, such as AI, add new layers of complexity and opportunity, but the core fundamentals of fairness, accountability, and trust continue to guide our decision-making as legal advisors.  

Q: How have you seen the company culture evolve during your tenure, and what legacy do you hope to build as a senior leader within the team?  

The biggest cultural shift I have seen from my seat is how the business views the U.S. legal department. Over time, Legal has become a more familiar and trusted voice in the room, not just for legal answers, but for judgment, perspective, and practical problem-solving. Our U.S. General Counsel, Anthony Fadel, has been a major force behind that shift. His leadership and mentorship have sharpened my judgment, and the standard he sets pushes our team to keep getting better. The reputation I hope to build is straightforward: I want people to trust that I will help them get to the right outcome and that working with me will be a positive experience. Relationships are central to earning that trust. When people feel comfortable calling early and sharing context, we make better decisions together. That is the kind of Legal partner and leader I hope to continue becoming. .   

Q: What are you most energized about tackling in the next five years at ST Engineering? Are there any emerging areas of law—like AI governance or space law—that you’re particularly keen to dive into?  

ST Engineering has built a strong presence in the U.S., and I am excited to be part of what comes next! Over the next five years, I am most energized by work that sits close to strategy and helps the business grow responsibly. Employment law is evolving fast as it intersects with AI, data privacy, and workforce decision-making, and that is an area I find compelling. FOCI and national security considerations are also front of mind given our global business and significant U.S. operations. And then there is AI more broadly, where I see a real opportunity to help the business evaluate new tools with practical guardrails and clear judgment.  

Q: What is your "secret to success" for staying fueled through a busy week—is it a specific coffee order, a favorite playlist, or perhaps a go-to hobby that helps you switch off from the legal world? 

I picked up one of my most effective productivity habits from our Chief Operating Officer at ST Engineering North America, Stephen Lim: starting the day with classical music! It helps me settle in, clear the noise, and move through a busy day with more focus and efficiency. For a reset after a busy day or week, you will usually find me on a volleyball court. Volleyball was my first love, long before law entered the picture, and I still play competitively when I can. I also love coaching young athletes. Helping them build confidence, leadership, and communication skills is incredibly rewarding, especially knowing those lessons will pay dividends far beyond the court.