In conversation, Robert Zhang uses the word "opportunity" often—and for good reason.

As the risk and compliance manager for home-furnishings global retailer IKEA in China, Zhang understands a thing or two about identifying opportunities where others might not; it's a sixth sense that informs his ability to effectively assess exposures in more than 30 countries in which the Scandinavian company operates.

A native of Dalian, a city and seaport in China's Liaoning Province, Zhang spends his days navigating a spate of business threats common to many a retail chain in the 21st century, including cyber risk; supply chain exposures; and the standard slips, trips, and falls among both personnel and patrons. His primary area of responsibility is in risk management and insurance, as well as compliance and internal audit. All four, he notes, are critical to a well-rounded corporate risk program.