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Compliance and Ethics

We lead with integrity, champion ethical choices and foster a culture where doing what's right comes first.

Doing the right thing together

CDM Smith is founded on an unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence. Since the firm’s founding in 1947, we have upheld a policy to conduct all business in a lawful and ethical manner. We are committed to an environment where open, honest communications are the expectation, not the exception. We hold one another accountable to live our core values of excellence, initiative, teamwork, shared commitment and integrity every day.

Our Code of Business Conduct sets forth the guiding principles for conducting business with the highest ethical standards. Every CDM Smith employee has a shared commitment to meet these standards and conduct business with integrity. In addition, CDM Smith expects our business partners to uphold these same high standards as detailed in our Business Partner Code of Conduct.

Meet our Chief Compliance Officer


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Beth Colling

Chief Compliance Officer

Beth is an experienced compliance and risk leader with a background in business law. She has served as chief compliance officer for multiple international organizations across energy, manufacturing and related sectors.

Beth Colling is an attorney with more than 28 years of experience in business law, risk management and compliance. She has been a litigator in private practice and subsequently worked in various in-house roles at several international companies.  As general counsel for a consulting firm, she assisted corporations in the strategic development of compliance programs. Beth is a frequent speaker at leadership forums on implementing risk management and legal compliance measures for multinational companies.

Experience:

  • Chief compliance and risk officer for international companies, including a publicly traded energy company and a privately held, global automotive manufacturer.  
  • General counsel for start-up firms, assisting in the strategic development of governance and risk management.  
  • Speaker at numerous leadership events, including forums sponsored by women’s organizations, the World Bank and other multi-national organizations, on implementing legal and risk compliance measures for international business.
  • Certifications: Active member in good standing of the Virginia Bar Association, Graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women & Power Executive Program.

Business Partner Code of Conduct

Our Business Partner Code of Conduct outlines the ethical standards and responsible practices we expect from all third-party collaborators, reinforcing our shared commitment to integrity, transparency and compliance.

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Integrity Line

CDM Smith provides an anonymous reporting system for addressing ethical concerns and asking policy-related questions. The CDM Smith Integrity Line is also available to third parties, customers, suppliers and the public. 

Our Code of Business Conduct

At CDM Smith, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for meeting the highest ethical standards. These standards are clearly explained in our Code of Business Conduct and reflect our core values.

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Want to learn more about who we are?

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