Shamir Patel
Deputy General Counsel & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Guidehouse
When Guidehouse spun off from PwC, Shamir Patel took the lead in building the firm’s compliance and investigations function from the ground up. What started as a two-person team has grown into a global team of 20 today, establishing a mature, scalable compliance program.
“Shamir’s ability to not only navigate regulatory changes but also anticipate challenges and provide strategic counsel has been essential to our continued success,” said Scott McIntyre, CEO of Guidehouse. “His expertise ensures that we remain compliant, resilient, and poised for growth.”
This year, the regulatory landscape shifted dramatically, from federal contracting to data security, requiring Guidehouse to stay ahead of evolving requirements and ensure seamless implementation.
“As both an attorney and compliance leader, my mission is to ensure our compliance program is practical, responsive, and understood across the organization,” Patel said. “We’ve also built a strong career path for compliance professionals, fostering growth within the function while maintaining an agile, people-focused approach to compliance.”
Why Watch
In the near term, Patel and his team will focus on navigating the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance with federal contracting, employment and data security requirements.
With the volume of regulatory changes at an all-time high, they are prioritizing understanding, implementing and communicating these updates effectively. As the team continues to grow, Patel and his team are continuing to strengthen career development within the compliance function, fostering a team both agile and deeply integrated into the business.
Above all, they are committed to a people-first approach, ensuring compliance is not just about policies but about empowering employees to navigate them with clarity and confidence.
“As the regulatory landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, my role as Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer is not just about ensuring compliance — it’s about anticipating change, mitigating risk, and enabling the business to adapt to change,” Patel said. “Above all, we are committed to a people-first approach, ensuring compliance is not just about policies but about empowering our employees to navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.”
Fun Fact: In addition to watching his 10- and 6-year-olds from the sidelines of a soccer field, Patel is an avid University of Michigan football fan. There’s often a Michigan pennant or helmet in the background of his Microsoft Teams meetings.