Meghan O’Neill: A Trailblazer in Legal Compliance and Corporate Governance
In the complex world of corporate governance and legal compliance, few professionals stand out like Meghan O’Neill. With a distinguished career spanning some of the most prominent institutions in the United States, Meghan O’Neill has built a reputation as an expert in compliance, ethics, and regulatory affairs. Currently serving as the Chief Compliance Officer at American Standard Brands, her journey through prestigious organisations such as the National Football League, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office underscores her unwavering commitment to integrity, legal excellence, and ethical leadership.
This article delves into the remarkable career of Meghan O’Neill, highlighting her professional experience, education, certifications, and the organisations that have shaped her journey. Through this detailed overview, readers will gain insights into the skills and accomplishments that have made her a respected figure in the field of corporate compliance.
Meghan O’Neill: Career Overview
Chief Compliance Officer at American Standard Brands
Since March 2022, Meghan O’Neill has held the pivotal role of Chief Compliance Officer at American Standard Brands. This company is a leading manufacturer of bath and kitchen products, renowned for serving both residential and commercial markets. American Standard Brands operates in a highly regulated industry where compliance with safety, environmental, and business ethics laws is critical.
In her current capacity, Meghan spearheads the company’s compliance and ethics initiatives, ensuring that American Standard Brands operates with the utmost integrity and accountability. Her role involves developing policies, overseeing training programmes, conducting risk assessments, and managing the company’s ethics hotline. She plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of compliance that aligns with both legal requirements and corporate values.
Compliance Counsel at the National Football League (NFL)
Before joining American Standard Brands, Meghan O’Neill was a Compliance Counsel at the National Football League from May 2019 to July 2021. At the NFL, she managed the league’s compliance and ethics programme, a vital function given the organisation’s vast public presence and regulatory scrutiny.
Her responsibilities included implementing policies and training, conducting investigations into allegations of fraud, misconduct, harassment, and other violations. Meghan coordinated with various departments such as Human Resources and Internal Audit to ensure investigations were thorough and resolutions were appropriately enforced. She also managed outside counsel and vendors and administered the NFL’s integrity hotline, highlighting her skill in handling sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism.
A significant part of her role involved monitoring regulatory changes, particularly related to the UK Bribery Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), ensuring that the NFL maintained compliance with international legal standards.
Legal Compliance Roles in the Financial Sector
Meghan O’Neill’s expertise in compliance was further honed during her tenure at leading financial institutions:
Compliance Attorney at Morgan Stanley
From September 2015 to April 2019, Meghan worked as a Compliance Attorney at Morgan Stanley in New York. Her work focused on regulatory compliance within the complex financial services industry, where adherence to laws such as the Securities Act and anti-money laundering regulations is paramount.
In this role, she provided legal advice and guidance on compliance matters, helping to shape policies that mitigated risks and ensured Morgan Stanley’s operations complied with applicable legal frameworks.
Compliance Officer at Goldman Sachs
Prior to Morgan Stanley, Meghan served as a Compliance Officer at Goldman Sachs from September 2013 to September 2015. Here, she oversaw compliance functions in a global financial institution, managing regulatory risks and ensuring the company’s adherence to both domestic and international legal standards.
Her experience at Goldman Sachs gave her invaluable exposure to the challenges and complexities of compliance in a multinational context, sharpening her skills in regulatory interpretation and enforcement.
Prosecutorial Experience: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Meghan O’Neill’s legal career began in the public sector, where she served as an Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney’s Office from September 2008 to September 2013. This role provided her with prosecutorial experience, handling criminal cases and gaining deep insight into the legal system.
Her time as a prosecutor cultivated strong investigative and litigation skills, as well as a commitment to justice — qualities that have informed her approach to compliance and ethics in her subsequent roles.
Education and Professional Development
Notre Dame Law School
Meghan O’Neill earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, one of the most respected law schools in the United States. During her time at Notre Dame, she was actively involved in Moot Court, the Irish Law Society, and the St. Thomas More Society. These activities helped develop her advocacy, legal reasoning, and professional ethics skills.
Cornell University
Before law school, Meghan completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Cornell University. Her background in English likely enhanced her ability to communicate complex legal and compliance matters clearly and effectively — an essential skill for her later roles in policy development and training.
Licenses and Certifications
Continuing her commitment to professional development, Meghan O’Neill has obtained certifications that demonstrate her adaptability and forward-thinking mindset. Notably, in February 2025, she earned a Generative AI for Productivity Certificate from Cornell University. This certification highlights her engagement with cutting-edge technology and its applications in improving workplace efficiency and compliance processes.
Key Competencies and Contributions
Throughout her career, Meghan O’Neill has developed expertise in multiple critical areas of compliance and legal governance:
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Policy Development and Implementation: Designing and enforcing policies that align with legal requirements and ethical standards.
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Investigations and Risk Management: Leading thorough investigations into compliance breaches, resolving conflicts of interest, and managing risk assessments.
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Training and Education: Conducting training sessions to ensure employees at all levels understand compliance obligations and ethical conduct.
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Regulatory Monitoring: Staying abreast of evolving laws and regulations, including international statutes such as the UK Bribery Act and FCPA.
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Collaboration and Leadership: Working with cross-functional teams, external counsel, and vendors to maintain robust compliance frameworks.
Organisations Associated with Meghan O’Neill
American Standard Brands
A leader in manufacturing plumbing and building products, American Standard Brands is renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation in the bath and kitchen markets. Compliance is vital for the company to maintain its reputation and operate within regulatory frameworks, especially given the safety standards and environmental laws relevant to its products.
National Football League (NFL)
The NFL, a premier professional American football league, is subject to complex regulatory and ethical standards. Meghan’s role in managing the NFL’s compliance programme reflects the high stakes and visibility involved in sports governance.
Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs
Both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are leading global financial institutions that operate under rigorous regulatory environments. Meghan’s compliance roles at these firms involved navigating the intricacies of financial regulations and ensuring the institutions’ adherence to legal and ethical standards.
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Serving in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office provided Meghan with foundational legal experience prosecuting criminal cases, honing her investigative and courtroom skills, and fostering a deep respect for the rule of law.
Conclusion
Meghan O’Neill’s career exemplifies dedication to upholding the highest standards of compliance and legal integrity across diverse industries. Her progression from a prosecutor in New York to leading compliance efforts at major financial institutions, a sports league, and now a prominent manufacturing company showcases her versatility and expertise.
Her educational background, continuous professional development, and practical experience combine to make her an influential figure in corporate governance and legal compliance. As businesses face ever-increasing scrutiny, leaders like Meghan O’Neill play an essential role in guiding organisations through the complexities of law and ethics, ensuring sustainable and trustworthy operations.
Through her leadership at American Standard Brands and past roles, Meghan O’Neill continues to set a standard of excellence and integrity that others in the compliance field aspire to achieve.
