The Investigator’s Dilemma - Navigating Complexity, Conflict, and Human Drama in High-Stakes Cases - Post-IFSEA Conference Podcast
Internal investigations are no longer routine compliance exercises. They are now high stakes, emotionally charged processes that sit at the intersection of legal rigour, human vulnerability, and institutional accountability. Careers hang in the balance, cultures are tested, and investigators are often left to navigate the fallout with limited protection.
This podcast follows the panel discussion 'The Investigator’s Dilemma - Navigating Complexity, Conflict, and Human Drama in High-Stakes Cases', held at the 6th IFSEA International Conference on Executive & Founder Issues in June 2025. This panel brought together six seasoned investigators from six jurisdictions to explore the evolving role of the investigator - part detective, part strategist, part counsellor, and sometimes, scapegoat.
Emma Bartlett, CM Murray LLP (UK)
Natacha Lesellier, Flichy (Paris)
Emily Kaufer, Air Canada (Canada)
Michèle Stutz, MME (Switzerland)
Veena Gopalakrishnan, Trilegal (India) (Chair)
In particular, the panel discuss:
Who should own the process of an investigation? What are the differences with the scope of internal and external investigations?
How to push back on the de-legitimatisation as an investigator.
How can an organisation move forward from an internal investigation? Is the investigator required to be involved in this process?
Looking at how the investigator can hold space for trauma and fear during their investigation.
This session offers practical insights and reflections on how investigators can conduct processes that are not only legally sound, but ethically and emotionally intelligent.
We also thank Denise Drake of Polsinelli (Kansas City, USA), who was unable to join the podcast, but attended as a panellist on the day of the conference and provided excellent insights.