Icons of Change International Awards 2025

Beatrice Zdrodowski
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Tech Electronics
Former General Counsel (Venture Capital Entities) & Associate General Counsel (Private Equity Firm), Gardner Capital
Former Group General Counsel & Risk Management Officer, Ungerboeck Software International, United States

Modern Counsel 35 Under 35 Honoree (Finance) 2024
Americas Women in Business Law Awards Finalist (General Counsel of the Year) 2022
Justitia Awards Finalist 2022
Women Influence & Power in Law Awards Awardee (Thought Leadership) 2021
Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards Finalist 2021

Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Changemaker for Ethical Governance and Corporate Integrity (United States)

In an era when trust, transparency, and accountability define the competitive edge, Beatrice Zdrodowski stands as a transformative legal strategist championing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Her career—spanning private equity, technology, and corporate governance—exemplifies how ethical leadership and sound legal frameworks can fortify institutions, inspire responsible innovation, and drive sustainable business transformation.

Currently serving as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Tech Electronics, a leading U.S. technology integrator specializing in life safety, security, and communication systems, Beatrice is not merely safeguarding compliance—she is redefining what modern corporate integrity looks like. She provides strategic counsel to the executive leadership, overseeing complex contract negotiations, insurance programs, and governance systems with the precision of a jurist and the vision of a changemaker. Her work ensures that the company’s innovations in safety and communication technologies are anchored in accountability, legal stewardship, and human-centered purpose.

Before joining Tech Electronics, Beatrice held dual roles as General Counsel for venture capital entities and Associate General Counsel for a private equity firm under Gardner Capital, a major U.S. player in affordable housing and renewable energy. Her legal leadership extended beyond transactional oversight—she played a pivotal role in shaping ethical investment models that channeled capital toward low-income housing developments and solar energy initiatives. In this, Beatrice translated the principles of SDG 16 into real-world outcomes—strengthening institutions that deliver both profit and progress for underserved communities.

Earlier in her career, as Group General Counsel and Risk Management Officer at Ungerboeck Software International, Beatrice managed legal operations across multiple continents—navigating mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, and data security. Her global perspective positioned her as a trusted leader in legal technology transformation. She chaired the Legal and Corporate Structure Group, driving complex international deals while building risk management frameworks that balanced innovation with regulatory prudence. Her leadership helped the company expand responsibly across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific—embedding integrity as a cornerstone of growth.

Beatrice’s earlier tenure as Contract Compliance Officer for the City of St. Louis marked her grounding in public service and policy. There, she monitored federal grants and ensured adherence to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations—advocating for accountability, equity, and procedural fairness in local governance. This experience formed the ethical compass that continues to guide her corporate and legal philosophy today: that institutions, whether public or private, must serve people with justice, transparency, and humanity.

Her professional excellence has earned her global recognition. Beatrice has been named among Modern Counsel’s 35 Under 35 Honorees (Finance)—a distinction celebrating emerging leaders redefining the legal profession. She is a Women Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awardee for Thought Leadership, a Justitia Awards Finalist, and a Women in Business Law Awards Finalist for General Counsel of the Year (Americas). These accolades reflect not just achievement, but a consistent narrative of courage, advocacy, and systemic impact—especially in empowering women in law and advancing ethical governance in corporate practice.

Beatrice’s academic credentials reflect her international breadth. She earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Law for Foreign Lawyers from Saint Louis University School of Law, alongside advanced legal degrees from Université de Rennes I and Université Paris Dauphine - PSL, specializing in European and International Business Law. Her early experience in international arbitration, particularly with the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, sharpened her cross-border legal acumen and her enduring belief in the rule of law as a unifying force for global collaboration.

Today, Beatrice Zdrodowski represents the convergence of law, leadership, and conscience. She demonstrates that governance is not just a matter of policy—it is a matter of principle. Her work bridges institutions and impact, proving that the future of business leadership belongs to those who view ethics not as compliance, but as competitive advantage.

By honoring Beatrice Zdrodowski with the Icons of Change International Award 2025, we celebrate a visionary who has elevated corporate governance into a platform for justice, trust, and institutional resilience. Her leadership fortifies the foundations of peace and integrity in the modern economy—advancing SDG 16 through the power of law, purpose, and principled action.

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