Lisa Fulcher works as Director Compliance at Bilfinger in the United States, leading the compliance and ethics program. From advising on complex ethics matters to visiting job sites and strengthening speak-up culture, she ensures concerns are handled with transparency and fairness. Her work embodies the Bilfinger value of Accountability: acting with integrity and doing what's right at every level of the organization.

 
Can you tell us about your role at Bilfinger and what it involves day to day?

In my role as Director Compliance at Bilfinger, I lead the implementation and supervision of the Group compliance and ethics program across the United States. Day to day, that means balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution. I advise employees on complex compliance, ethics, and risk matters; oversee Code of Conduct governance, anti-bribery program, and investigations; and ensure issues are resolved thoroughly, consistently, and transparently.

I also spend a significant amount of time designing and implementing practical compliance tools and training that are tailored to what the colleagues in our region are confronted with in their daily business. These tools and training therebyintegrate into operations Another core part of my role is monitoring regulatory developments and helping leadership anticipate and respond to emerging risks, all while reinforcing an ethical culture across the organization.

What does a “speak-up culture” mean to you, and how do you foster it?

To me, a speak-up culture means employees feel safe, heard, and protected when raising concerns—without fear of retaliation and with confidence that issues will be handled fairly and professionally. It’s not just about having a hotline; it’s about trust.

I foster that culture by strengthening confidential reporting mechanisms, ensuring investigations are timely, objective, and well-communicated, and by being visible and accessible with my boots on the ground regularly visiting job sites as strong compliance leader. Transparency is critical — people need to understand what happens after they raise a concern. I also partner closely with leadership and HR to reinforce consistent messaging that ethical behavior and speaking up are expected, supported, and valued at every single level of the organization.

How do you measure the effectiveness of a compliance programme?

I look at both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Quantitatively, that includes trends in hotline reporting, investigation trends, training completion rates, audit findings, Compliance Integrity Survey data, and recurring risk themes. But numbers alone don’t tell the full story.

Qualitatively, I assess leadership engagement, employee feedback, the quality of questions being asked, and whether compliance is being proactively consulted rather than reactively pulled in. An effective compliance program is one that is embedded into business decision-making, evolves with regulatory expectations, and demonstrates continuous improvement—not just one that checks boxes.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in compliance?

My advice would be to understand that compliance is as much about people and judgment as it is about rules and regulations. Strong technical knowledge is important, but credibility, integrity, and the ability to communicate effectively are what make you successful.

I’d also encourage them to stay curious, build cross-functional relationships, and gain exposure to investigations, training, and risk management early on. Compliance professionals add the most value when they understand the business and people, anticipate risk, and help leaders make informed, ethical decisions.

What does the future of compliance look like at Bilfinger?

As for North America, the future of compliance at Bilfinger is increasingly strategic, data-driven, and integrated into operations. I see compliance continuing to move beyond a traditional control function into a true business partner — leveraging better analytics, enhanced training, and stronger governance to proactively manage risk.

There’s also a growing emphasis on ethical culture, transparency, and accountability, particularly as regulatory expectations evolve globally. My focus is on ensuring the compliance program remains scalable, practical, and aligned with Bilfinger’s business strategy, while continuing to strengthen trust, speak-up culture, and leadership engagement across the organization. 

Interested in joining a company where integrity and accountability matter? Discover your next opportunity at Bilfinger.

Explore Careers at Bilfinger