Global Compliance Strategist | International Trade & Anti-Corruption Advisor | ESG & Regulatory Governance Architect
“Compliance is no longer about checking boxes — it’s about building a company that’s transparent, resilient, and trusted by its stakeholders. I help clients embed governance across legal, operational, and ESG priorities to succeed globally and ethically.”
Correen Wood is a seasoned attorney and global compliance strategist with over two decades of experience advising U.S. and International organizations on building integrated, scalable compliance frameworks across high-risk, defense, commercial industries, and jurisdictions. Her work spans defense, aerospace, firearms, advanced technology, logistics, energy, financial services, and dual-use sectors, where national security, ethical conduct, and regulatory clarity are vital to operational success and market access.
At the center of Correen’s work is a deep understanding that modern compliance functions are not siloed; they are a strategic, interconnected web of laws, risks, and responsibilities. Her approach weaves together export controls (ITAR, EAR, EU Dual-Use Regulation); sanctions and embargoes (OFAC, EU Sanctions, UN listings); anti-corruption and integrity frameworks (FCPA, UK Bribery Act, SAPIN I & II, OECD); cybersecurity and data governance (NIST 800-171/172, GDPR, EU Cybersecurity Act, CMMC); government contracting requirements (FAR/DFARS, NATO procurement, Buy American, TAA, cybersecurity flow downs); customs compliance—including classification (HTS, ECCN, Schedule B, CN/TARIC), valuation, origin, UFLPA enforcement, and traceability documentation; supply chain enforcement—covering mapping, traceability audits, vendor accountability systems, and forced labor rebuttals; dangerous goods and energetics (DOT, IATA, IMDG, UN Numbers, USML Cat. V, ATF); AML/KYC compliance (Bank Secrecy Act, EU AML directives, third-party screening); and ESG integration (human rights, D&I, sustainable sourcing, stakeholder assurance, CSRD, SEC disclosures).
Correen advises both U.S. and international organizations on corporate structuring, licensing, training, and compliance infrastructure for market entry and growth with an emphasis on scalability, integrated policies and procedures, and risk mitigation at the speed of business. This includes U.S. companies expanding into the EU, UK, and allied jurisdictions, as well as the reverse non US companies standing up in the U.S., with full lifecycle compliance readiness; foreign companies establishing U.S. subsidiaries, including CAGE code, SAM.gov, EIN, and licensing/registration with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, ATF; FOCI mitigation strategies, CFIUS reviews, and national security structuring; drafting and filing Technology Assistance Agreements (TAAs), Manufacturing License Agreements (MLAs), and export-controlled collaboration frameworks; and advising on UFLPA traceability enforcement, forced labor rebuttals, and customs documentation alignment.
She regularly serves as a Compliance Officer (CO) or Empowered Official and leads regulatory engagement across U.S. and EU enforcement bodies (DDTC, BIS, OFAC, CBP, DCSA, FinCEN, BAFA, SECO, ECJU); voluntary disclosures, internal investigations, and mitigation agreements; directed disclosures, notices of detention/action, and regulator follow-up; and post-enforcement oversight, board reporting, policy remediation, and audit preparation.
Correen is a trusted authority in global product and software classification under ITAR (USML), EAR (ECCN, including 600/500/9x series EU ML and Dual), EU controls as well as UK, Australia and Canada; HTS, Schedule B, CN/TARIC, and ATF designations; Category 5 Part 2 encryption, EAR §1758 for AI, and Wassenaar controls; and IATA/IMDG/DOT, UN Numbers, and NATO codification. She guides clients through CJ and CCATS requests, product development cycles, dual-use platform launches, and regulatory harmonization across markets.
Correen serves companies of all sizes—from startups to multinationals—in sectors such as defense, aerospace & space (classified work, NATO procurement, offset programs, export licensing); firearms & ammunition (ITAR Cat. I/V compliance, ATF oversight, global licensing); advanced tech & AI (dual-use classification, encryption, ML/AI platform risk, SaaS exports); logistics & manufacturing (UFLPA enforcement, routing structures, customs valuation); cybersecurity & cloud (NIST/DFARS controls, GDPR, secure platform architecture); finance & services (AML/KYC onboarding, global payment compliance, vendor risk); ESG-focused enterprises (ethics programs, human rights alignment, stakeholder transparency); and startups & global ventures (strategic entry plans, corporate registration, export readiness).
Correen doesn’t just integrate ESG, ethics, and legal compliance into operational models; she actively implements these principles to drive measurable outcomes. By embedding these elements into the core of her clients’ operations, she ensures they not only meet regulatory obligations but also build trust with customers, investors, boards, and international partners. Whether guiding a startup through its inaugural ITAR registration or assisting a multinational in overhauling its trade governance post-disclosure, Correen delivers practical, long-term solutions that fortify compliance and enhance stakeholder confidence, while helping to expand growth and opportunities.
Correen’s dedication to service extends beyond her professional endeavors into deep-rooted community engagement. As the proud mother of a U.S. military veteran and a member of a multi-generational military family, she actively supports both veterans and active-duty service members. Her involvement includes initiatives like Run for the Wall, which honors POWs, MIAs, and all who’ve served; Mission 22- Active Duty and Suicide Prevention; The David Westfall Veterans Foundation; and The Wounded Warrior program, reflecting her commitment to veteran visibility and remembrance.
One of the earliest influences that shaped my approach to leadership and resilience came from growing up as a daughter in a multi-generational military family. My father — a commanding presence and lifelong servicemember — had a unique way of instilling confidence and drive: by daring me to do the things he said I couldn’t. What he was really doing was issuing a challenge, one that built my resolve, sharpened my instincts, and embedded a lifelong belief in turning doubt into fuel. That mindset became one of my most valuable assets — not just personally, but professionally — teaching me how to lead under pressure, rise to high-stakes moments, and hold integrity at the center of everything I do.
Before entering the legal field, I served as a paramedic — an experience that deeply shaped my ability to navigate pressure, make critical decisions, and remain grounded in ethics no matter what the stakes. In the back of an ambulance, every second mattered. I learned to assess complex situations quickly, communicate with absolute clarity, and act decisively, often when lives were on the line. That environment cultivated the kind of composure, focus, and accountability I would later bring to the world of regulatory law and compliance. A mindset I carried with me into the world of law and compliance. That early training sharpened my ability to remain calm under fire, to assess complex scenarios swiftly, and to communicate with clarity and empathy — all of which are essential when navigating regulatory landscapes, advising clients, and leading in crisis. I believe the same principles that guide emergency response — precision, accountability, and service — are the bedrock of effective legal counsel. My time in emergency response didn’t just prepare me for legal work—it ingrained in me the principle that doing the right thing, swiftly and effectively, can change outcomes. That lesson continues to shape how I present myself to clients in high-consequence environments every day.
While the above are keys to shaping my journey, I would have to say they pale in comparison to becoming a parent and watching my son become a man and a vital part of the community himself. These same values above came full circle when my son chose to serve in the military, thus expanding my parenting to that of a military service member. Supporting my child through enlistment, deployment to Iraq, and the emotional weight of his service gave me a deeper perspective on sacrifice, strength, and what it truly means to serve from both sides. It also reinforced the principles I had been raised with that service is more than a role — it’s a way of being. In our family, it’s a legacy passed down through generations — a lived tradition of discipline, honor, and unwavering commitment to others. This foundation continues to guide my work today — shaping how I lead, advise, advocate, and engage with not only the veteran community but my life and business approach. It’s not just a part of my story; it’s a source of strength I draw from daily, and a compass that keeps my work rooted in purpose, perspective, and service.
My commitment to service extends beyond my professional roles into deep and ongoing community engagement. Whether supporting fellow veterans and active-duty families or advocating through organizations such as Run for the Wall, Mission 22, The David Westfall Veterans Foundation, and the Wounded Warrior Program, I believe visibility, respect, and support are vital. These efforts reflect my enduring belief that true service includes remembrance, awareness, and action. They also mirror the values that have shaped my life: a belief in standing for something greater than yourself and using your skills to make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of others.
