The founder and owner of BERG Associates (Latin America) Inc., is an expert in money laundering, banking, and international trade. Before starting BERG Associates (Latin America), Ms. Figge directed the Government of Panama’s Financial Analysis Unit, “FAU”, which was responsible for detecting and preventing money laundering. Under her leadership, the FAU was recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative, aggressive approach to preventing financial crime. Ms. Figge’s work at the FAU was instrumental in securing Panama’s membership in the Egmont Group in 1997.
During this period Mrs. Figge has gained valuable experience in financial analysis to detect money laundering and received training from FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of Treasury), and the Royal Mounted Police of Canada. She has designed several training systems and methods for public and private executives and personnel in money laundering detection and prevention, “Know Your Client” policy, and typologies.
From 1994-1997 Mrs. Figge was General Manager of the Colon Free Zone in the Republic of Panama, where she was instrumental in implementing a “Know Your Client” policy in that government organization as well as setting up a series of measures to ensure transparency in her administration.
From 1994-1999 she was Co-Chairman of the High Level Presidential Committee who was charged to create and implement strong anti-money laundering policies and Laws and in 1998 was named National Coordination in the Fight against Money Laundering.
Mrs. Figge was President of the Panamanian Business Executive Association “APEDE” (1992-1994) where she was instrumental in negotiating several laws, including the Constitutional Act on the Panama Canal. She was also President of the Ande Foundation and Vice President of National Private Sector Council of Panama, two of the most important private sector organizations in Panama.
Before joining the Government, Mrs. Figge was in the private sector where she acquired experience in several economic activities. She has 15 years experience in the financial area of Reinsurance as well as several years experience in International Commerce, as product manager in charge of import and export.
She is a recognized speaker in various international forums, on several topics. She has spoken for the Money Laundering Expert’s Group of the OAS’s Interamerican Drug Abuse Control Commission, the Hemispheric anti Money Laundering Congresses organized by the Panamanian Banking Association, The Royal Mounted Police of Canada, several in several commercial and insurance and Reinsurance international forums for several years.