Post-Election Implications for U.S. Ethics & Compliance Training

The U.S. regulatory environment is on the brink of significant transformation with the impending transition to a new presidential administration. Anticipated policy shifts have ethics, governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) professionals preparing for change on multiple fronts including international trade, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming. 

“As with all change, risks and opportunities must be considered,” shares Christine Brown, Vice President of Learning Product at SAI360. “Companies that are proactive and agile enough to take advantage of these opportunities will benefit the most.”

In the Q&A below, Christine addresses key questions that GRC and E&C professionals are asking and provides insight on steps compliance professionals should be taking now to ensure their programs are relevant and effective.

Q&A: Addressing Key Concerns for Compliance Professionals 

Q: How will proposed import and export changes impact compliance training? 

With shifting U.S. sanctions and export control policies, trade compliance will be a key emphasis in 2025. This will require targeted training on evolving trade policies, onshoring supply chain regulations, managing tariffs and international trade complexities, and adapting to evolving EMEA regulations, which remain stringent compared to U.S. policies. 

Q: What is the status of DEI training programs? 

DEI programs were a flashpoint during the presidential campaign. With the passage of laws like Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, certain corporate training programs that address race, gender, and other DEI-related issues are being heavily scrutinized. 

While some companies may feel pressured to reduce or eliminate their DEI-related initiatives—as seen in Walmart’s recent rollback of its DEI policies — we expect to see others actually strengthen their programs. This could be in response to customer demand or to attract customers and employees abandoning companies whose values no longer align with their own. Many companies will find middle ground by reframing their DEI efforts around broader topics like fairness and respect.  

Q: How might changes to DEI initiatives affect corporate culture and reputation? 

There is concern that changes to DEI programs will result in increased incidents of harassment and discrimination.

Not only could this negatively impact corporate culture, but it could also lead to reputational damage and costly fines based on existing legislation.  

Organizations that do scale back their DEI programs may consider proactively filling the gap with programming that emphasizes the responsibility of all employees in creating a safe, respectful workplace culture. Interviewing and hiring best practices should also be reinforced for managers. Training focused on ethical decision-making can also help companies navigate polarizing social and political climates while maintaining a strong reputation. 

Q: What are the implications of deregulation for compliance training? 

Deregulation could certainly reduce the emphasis on certain compliance areas. However, even with reduced regulatory oversight, ethical behavior remains a cornerstone of long-term success. 

Organizations should focus on principle-led training, emphasizing core values such as anti-corruption and transparency.

By prioritizing ethics, companies can mitigate risks and enhance their corporate reputation. 

It is also important to remember while some regulatory burdens may be reduced, compliance with international laws as well as industry-specific regulations remains critical. Anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention training, for example, will remain critical for financial services. 

Q: What steps should companies take to prepare for future regulatory changes? 

Preparation is key in a fluid regulatory environment. SAI360 is working with customers to regularly review and update training content and monitor global regulatory trends to anticipate potential impacts. Compliance teams should also engage in proactive dialogue with their stakeholders. Staying informed and agile will ensure that organizations remain compliant and resilient. 

Additionally, SAI360’s integrated compliance training modules can help businesses stay ahead of these shifting regulatory landscapes.  

By leveraging SAI360’s extensive content library, analytics, and automation tools, organizations can continuously update training modules in real-time. This ensures employees remain well-informed and compliant. With dedicated program management and support from seasoned experts, companies can reduce operational burdens, maintain resilience, and confidently navigate evolving industry standards.

Q: What role does technology play in adapting compliance programs? 

Technology will play a critical role in helping businesses rapidly adapt their training programs in real time to meet changing organizational policies and regulations.  

With solutions like SAI360’s integrated compliance training modules, companies can quickly update, customize, and scale their learning programs to address emerging risks. As a result, organizations can engage employees with timely, relevant content and harness real-time analytics to continuously refine their approach. This can help companies better maintain a responsive and resilient compliance framework. 

Final Thoughts: Actionable Steps for Compliance Professionals 

Navigating change can be challenging. Compliance professionals are encouraged to take a proactive approach by reaching out now to their training partners to identify and prioritize programs that may be impacted under a new presidential administration.

“Regulations do not change overnight, but they could come quickly,” adds Christine. “Starting those conversations now give you an opportunity to get ahead of any transitions and make updates as needed.”

Let’s Start a Conversation 

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