Profiles in Leadership Journal First Quarter 2025

LEADERSHIP PROFILES IN

JOURNA L LEADERSHIP PROFILES IN

For over 27 years, Profiles in Leadership Journal has been a trusted and distinguished platform for organizations to recognize and honor exceptional leadership. Through our long-standing collaboration with leading companies, we provide a prestigious and widely respected avenue for celebrating individuals who drive progress, innovation, and excellence. Organizations can nominate their leaders with confidence, knowing their achievements will be showcased with integrity and distinction.

since 1999

FOUNDER/CEO/PUBLISHER

James R. Rector

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James Gorman

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Stephen A. Toth

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Elena Rector

WEBMASTER

David Toth

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Profiles in Leadership Journal

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For over 27 years, Profiles in Leadership Journal (formerly Profiles in Diversity Journal®) has been a trusted and prestigious platform for organizations to recognize and honor exceptional leadership. Through our long-standing collaboration with leading companies, we provide a prestigious and widely respected avenue for celebrating individuals who drive progress, innovation, and excellence. Organizations can nominate their leaders with confidence, knowing their achievements will be showcased with integrity and distinction.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and may or may not represent the views of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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Turning the Page—Together

“You

don’t publish a magazine for 27 years without it becoming a part of you. And you don’t change its name unless something in the world—and in yourself—says it’s time.”

In 1999, I founded Profiles in Diversity Journal® with a single conviction: that there were leaders all around us whose stories weren’t being told. Leaders from all backgrounds—women, people of color, veterans, indigenous voices, emerging trailblazers—quietly shaping workplaces and communities without fanfare or headlines.

I wanted to tell their stories. I wanted the world to see what I saw.

For nearly three decades, this publication has done just that. Thousands of leaders have appeared in our pages—nominated by their peers, celebrated by their companies, and admired by readers looking for what leadership really looks like. Not performance. Not posturing. But courage, authenticity, and service.

Now, with Profiles in Leadership Journal, we begin a new chapter.

This name change reflects a natural expansion—one that honors our history while embracing the full spectrum of leadership across all areas of an organization. From C-suites to front lines, from rising stars to seasoned mentors, we are here to recognize leadership wherever it lives and however it leads.

As part of that growth, we’ve introduced several new awards that reflect the diverse ways leadership shows up and makes a difference. Among them: the Mentoring Leadership Award, the Emerging Leadership Award, the Indigenous Leadership Award, the Veterans Leadership Award, and the Joyful Leadership Award—each one offering a unique lens into the character, influence, and spirit of today’s leaders.

Our purpose remains unchanged: to collaborate with organizations in highlighting and celebrating those who bring vision, integrity, and impact to their roles.

The awards continue. The stories deepen. The mission endures.

Leadership isn’t confined to a department, a demographic, or a title. It’s the force that builds teams, drives innovation, and creates cultures where people thrive. Our journal is here to amplify that force—and to ensure that the leaders making a difference today are seen, honored, and remembered.

To our long-time readers and partners: thank you for growing with us.

To those joining us for the first time: welcome to a journal with purpose and staying power.

The page has turned. The story continues. And you’re in it.

Let’s keep leading—together.

James R. Rector Founder & Publisher

Since 1999

Honoring exceptional leadership

Tania Faransso Partner

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

The impact we’re making today, will be felt for generations to come.

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2025 Emerging Leaders Awards

We are delighted to announce the recipients of our Q1 Emerging Leader Awards. This program aims to acknowledge the exceptional leadership and contributions of up-and-coming professionals in various organizations. The profiles featured in this issue highlight and commend the dedication and remarkable accomplishments of these Emerging Leaders.

PAGE 20

2025 Latino Leadership Awards

PLJ is thrilled to announce the recipients of its fifth annual Latino Leadership Awards. This year, the magazine is proud to recognize 28 exceptional individuals who have successfully navigated the challenges of balancing two cultures to achieve success in both their professional and personal lives.

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Where are they now?

Connect with 20 previous recipients of the Women Worth Watching® Award and discover their recent professional endeavors. Learn about their advancements in their careers, transitions to new teams, or ventures into entrepreneurship. Their remarkable contributions and accomplishments are sure to leave you impressed and motivated.

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Coporate Index

Please take a moment to review the list of organizations that were featured or advertised in this issue. Their contributions are truly invaluable.

More than 2,000 leaders profiled since 1999.

PROFILES IN

2 025 A W ARD EMERGING LEADERS JOURNAL LEADERSHIP

PLJ Recognizes our 2025 First Quarter Emerging Leaders Award Winners

For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal has been dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating a diverse range of leaders. Our primary goal has always been to showcase individuals who have made significant impacts in their organizations and communities. We take great pride in presenting our Emerging Leaders Award winners, a new initiative aimed at recognizing the exceptional leadership and contributions of up-and-coming professionals within various organizations.

In this issue, we feature nine profiles that highlight the dedication and remarkable achievements of these Emerging Leaders. Each award recipient has graciously provided us with insightful answers to thought-provoking questions and an engaging essay. This content offers our readers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these talented and innovative individuals.

Education: JD, American University Washington College of Law; BS, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Company Name: DiCello Levitt LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Mark DiCello and Adam Levitt, Co-Founders

Headquarters Location: Chicago, IL

Number of Employees: 144

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by: I can, so I will.

Who is your personal hero? Dolores Huerta, si se puede!

What book(s) are you reading? I am currently rereading 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez.

What was your first job?

I worked at a snack bar when I was 13, making about $4/hour.

Favorite charity: The Innocence Project. The work they do to help the wrongfully convicted is incredible.

Interests/Hobbies: I love watching documentaries and learning new things through storytelling.

Family: I am a proud single mom of two kids: my daughter, Carolina, and my son, Jack. They are my inspiration.

Sara Aguiñiga Partner

My firm and my clients push me to be the best lawyer that I can be

My passion for my clients and my work has helped me to be successful as a lawyer. Every day, I wake up knowing that I have the privilege and responsibility of fighting for justice for those who have faced tremendous hardship. It feels good to know that when I go to work, I am helping to change someone’s life for the better.

My clients inspire me to achieve the absolute best outcome for them, and through impact litigation, I can. Whether it is fighting for a person who was discriminated against or advocating for a major city that experienced unspeakable loss, I am thankful that I have the ability to represent them.

The majority of the clients I work with are women, and their strength, courage, and hope constantly inspire me to make a difference in their lives, my community, and the world. Many of these women have faced grave tragedy or traumatic experiences, and the fact that they have the strength to stand up and ensure that what happened to them does not happen to anyone else is remarkable.

My passion for my work and my clients has motivated me to continuously strive to be a better lawyer and advocate. I am lucky to work at a firm that creates a supportive environment and shares my passion for pursuing justice. I am incredibly fortunate to be given this opportunity, and on difficult and stressful days, I recognize how lucky I am. It is my sincere hope that my passion is reflected in my work and results. The greatest compliment I can receive is, “You are my lawyer, and I trust you to do what’s best.” This type of trust is earned through hard work and dedication, and I will never lose sight of that. I am thankful for my firm and my clients, as they allow me to expand on my passion and dedication every day.

Courtney A. Johnson Government & Regulatory Affairs Attorney

Surrounded and blessed by leaders and mentors–she knows the real thing when she sees it

Leadership presents itself in a myriad of forms and styles. My earliest examples of leadership came from my mother and grandmothers – strong women who balanced familial obligations, career demands, and service to the community seemingly seamlessly. Their examples of leadership are woven into me.

My mother’s guidance and adaptability are remarkable. She has a keen sense of when to encourage and when to correct. Her leadership style is warm, challenging, and thought-provoking. My Nana was the epitome of a servant leader. She held deep convictions, never shied away from rolling up her sleeves to do the work herself, and led by example. My Grammy’s leadership style was collaborative, empathetic, and inspiring. Each of these women hold/held space for others.

Many folks mistake a leader for the person at the top, issuing commands. In my opinion, that is not the mark of a leader. Leadership means making space for others and inviting participation, while guiding your team toward the goal you’re collectively trying to achieve.

I have been fortunate enough in both my personal and professional lives to learn from servant leaders, pace-setters, and coaches. During my nearly 10 years in practice, I have learned from colleagues who rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside their teammates and from others who set the bar higher and challenged me to level up in the process. I have witnessed and learned from various forms of leadership and I am appreciative.

I am equally grateful for the mentors that I have encountered along the way. My mentors have been incredibly important to my career success. They are leaders in bar associations, community organizations, and houses of worship. Their willingness to guide me, offer advice, whisper my name in rooms of opportunity, and serve as a personal board of advisors has been critical to my success so far.

Leadership and mentorship are critical to helping people envision what they can become. I strive to be a positive leader and an example for others as they enter the practice of law.

Education: JD, Rutgers Law School; BA, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Company Name: Gibbons P.C.

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Peter J. Torcicollo, Managing Director

Company Headquarters Location: Newark, NJ

Number of Employees: 290

Your Location: Trenton, NJ

Words you live by: To whom much is given, much is expected.

Who is your personal hero? My mother and grandmothers

What book(s) are you reading? Salt Houses by Hala Alyan and Big Chicas Don’t Cry by Annette Chavez Macias (just finished)

What was your first job? Barista

Favorite charity: St. Jude

Interests/Hobbies: Traveling and trying new coffee shops & restaurants

Dawn Kelly Garrison, Esq. Senior Manager Proposal Marketing

Education: JD, Widener School of Law; BA, Temple University

Company Name: Lighthouse

Industry: Legal Services

Company CEO: Ron Markezich

Company Headquarters Location: Seattle, WA

Number of Employees: 1,000

Your Location: Wheeling, WV

Words you live by: People live up to expectations.

Who is your personal hero? The Notorious RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a trailblazer for gender equality, courageously candid, and resilient in balancing work and family life. What book(s) are you reading? Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy

What was your first job? I was a babysitter from 11 to 15. At 15, I started working at Dunkin Donuts as a clerk.

Favorite charity: Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during and after disasters and crises. Their vision is to support humanity and build resiliency for vulnerable communities across the world. https://teamrubiconusa.org/how-to-get-involved/ volunteer-with-us/

Interests/Hobbies: Professionally, I have a passion for improving cultures in organizations. In part, I accomplish this through education and volunteer work such as my role as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of Women in eDiscovery. In my personal life, I am at the stage where my interests and hobbies are my children’s interests and hobbies. I volunteer at my daughter’s dance studio and in addition, I am the president of her Cheer Booster organization. I am the media chair of my oldest son’s Robotics Booster, and finally, I volunteer for my middle son’s baseball league.

Family: I am married to my husband, Senior Staff Sergeant Jeremy Garrison, US AF. I have three amazing kiddos – Leah (6) and my bonus boys Gage (10) and Isaac (17). We have two energetic Goldendoodles – Teddy (4) and Sky (3).

She believes in leading from the front, not from the sidelines

I believe that leadership is not about job titles or reporting structures; it is about showing up, being present, and making an impact. It is about being courageous, vulnerable, and transparent and bringing one’s authentic self to every situation--and creating an environment where others feel empowered to do the same.

At Lighthouse, I’ve found an environment where that definition of leadership is valued and supported, and I can see that every day throughout our company. As just one example, my husband serves in the U.S. Air Force, and I was encouraged to help start the Military and Allies Standing Together (MAST) employee resource group. Last year, I also led the successful charge to allow veterans to take Veterans Day off. Many people supported me in that effort and helped me to advocate for this policy shift, including our MAST executive sponsor as well as LIghthouse’s chief people officer and chief marketing officer.

I also believe that leadership involves creating space for all perspectives and fostering a collaborative environment where everyone’s voices are heard and valued. That’s one reason I was inspired to revitalize the Pittsburgh Chapter of Women in eDiscovery (WiE), which stopped meeting during COVID. In the legal field, which is heavily male-dominated, WiE works to educate and empower underrepresented groups within the legal sector. I’m particularly proud of a recent hybrid session that brought together women from across the country to raise awareness and share their stories and experiences around sexual abuse and harassment in the legal community. I recently was named regional director for the organization, and I now get to provide leadership and strategic guidance to multiple chapters within my region.

A strong leader also understands that people are more than their job titles. I have a very busy household, with three active kids and two dogs – so I know what it’s like to have multiple aspects of my life pulling me in different directions! My own experiences have also encouraged me to try to be authentic and vulnerable with the challenges that I face. Everyone makes mistakes, and oftentimes we learn more from our failures than our successes.

Finally, leadership means being an example. I do not ask of others what I am unwilling to do myself. Rolling up my sleeves, putting in the time and effort, and working alongside my team is how I lead. I attended law school in the evenings while working full time at a local Radio Shack, eventually becoming a manager and overseeing several locations. That experience helped me see how true leadership is about action, and I am committed to doing the work necessary to create meaningful change in my industry and beyond.

Alicia Grant

In a letter to her frightened younger self, a lawyer outlines how the future looks brighter than it seems

One of my biggest challenges was myself. I almost didn’t make a career change because I was afraid of risk and underestimated my own abilities. With that in mind, here’s a letter I recently wrote to my younger self that highlights the importance of mentors and community.

Dear Younger Alicia,

The choice you made—to start law school while raising two toddlers—will change your life in ways you can’t yet imagine. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. There will be long nights, early mornings, and moments of doubt. Others will seem to have all the answers while you’re just figuring out where the library is. But you’ll push through. Your husband, Kevin, will be your biggest cheerleader, and your kids will watch in awe as their mom shows them what perseverance looks like. They won’t just hear about hard work and resilience—they’ll see it firsthand. One of your proudest moments will be walking the stage at graduation with them by your side. And it won’t be the last—they’ll stand beside you through many more milestones. You’ll watch them excel academically, almost independently, because they’ve seen you study and persist.

Not everyone will understand your journey. Some will say Big Law isn’t for you. Some will suggest you step away, focus on your kids, or take an easier path. Others will claim you’re too kind to be a litigator, as if kindness and strength cannot coexist. Their words will sting, especially from those you expected to support you. But here’s the good news: You’ll find people who uplift you. Mentors, sponsors, and champions will see strengths in you that you don’t yet recognize. They will guide and encourage you, reminding you that success isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about forging your own path. And one day, you’ll pursue ways to do the same for others. You’ll become the mentor, the encourager, the connector. You’ll learn that success isn’t just about personal achievements—it’s about who you bring along with you. You’ll create opportunities, make introductions, and foster relationships that help others rise. Watching those you’ve supported succeed will be one of the most fulfilling parts of your journey.

Education: JD, St. Mary’s University School of Law; BA, Business Management, University of Texas, San Antonio

Company Name: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Jeff Cody, Global Managing Partner and United States Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Houston; New York; London

Number of Employees: 7,354

Your Location: San Antonio, TX

Words you live by: Faith does not make things easy, it makes them possible.

Who is your personal hero? The women in life who model servant leadership

What book(s) are you reading? Grace and Justice on Death Row: The Race against Time and Texas to Free an Innocent Man by Brian Stolarz.

What was your first job? Food service with a catering company.

Favorite charity: San Antonio Legal Services Association. It’s been so rewarding to see the legal profession answer the call to help those who cannot afford crucial legal assistance.

Interests/Hobbies: Cycling, scuba diving, travel, visiting libraries

Family: Family means everything to me. I’m blessed with a supportive husband, two incredible kids, loving parents, and eight wonderful siblings.

Jason Wallace VP of Community Impact

Education: Bachelor’s, Business Marketing, Howard University

Company Name: Prosperity Now

Industry: Non-profit

Company CEO: Marisa Calderon

Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC

Number of Employees: About 30 employees

Words you live by: “I’m a Monster, everyday is Halloween” – Lil Wayne. “You’re only as funky as your last cut, if you’re focused on the past, you’re bound to be a has what” – Andre 3000

Who is your personal hero? My parents

What book(s) are you reading?

Several: Atomic Habits, Scream Free Parenting, 100M Leads, Kaida’s Magical Naptime

What was your first job?

I took two jobs at the same time. I worked on the floor at the Disney store at the Montclair Plaza Mall and did home Inspections with my uncle.

Favorite charity: Community ONE, Inc.

Interests/Hobbies:

Creative writing, exercising, cooking

Family: Married (Theresa Wallace) with three children

Great leaders – and great mentors – make sure that everyone is heard and seen no matter where they live

Leadership is not about taking up space; it’s about creating it. It’s about ensuring that others have a voice, a seat at the table, and the confidence that their words will be valued. True leadership does not mean having all the answers—it means asking the right questions. The best leaders cultivate curiosity, challenge assumptions, and empower others to find solutions.

Throughout my career, I have learned that leadership is about translating vision into momentum. Dreaming big is easy, but making those dreams tangible—turning ideas into action that creates real change—is the challenge. I’m driving by the gap between what is and what could be. Growing up in a community with limited opportunities, I saw firsthand how access to resources can change lives. Too often, opportunity is dictated by geography, networks, and history that wasn’t written with everyone in mind.

I remember traveling with former HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, who often said that in America, you can predict a person’s life expectancy—not by their genetics, their habits, or their aspirations, but by their zip code. That reality reinforces the importance of mentorship and access. The people who made a difference in my life didn’t just give me advice; they expanded my perspective. They disrupted my thinking, challenged my limitations, and placed me in environments that forced me to ask better questions.

This shift in perspective became critical during one of the lowest points in my life. I found myself living out of my car in a Walmart parking lot, overwhelmed by fear, frustration, and embarrassment. But then, I imagined someone reading my story in the future, realizing this painful moment was just one chapter—not the whole book. That realization gave me the strength to move forward. The struggle didn’t disappear overnight, but it no longer had the power to dictate my future.

Now, I remind others that no matter what chapter they’re in, the story is still unfolding. Where you start should not determine how far you can go. By breaking down barriers and ensuring access to opportunity, we can create a future where success is determined by potential, not privilege.

As the workforce evolves, so must our definition of success. People seek purpose, flexibility, and workplaces that align with their values. Organizations that recognize that shift will thrive. Meanwhile, technology will continue to reshape industries, making creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence just as valuable as technical expertise.

But even as the world changes, one thing remains true: leadership is about understanding as much as it is about action. The best leaders listen to understand, replace judgment with curiosity, and build bridges instead of barriers. Ultimately, leadership, like storytelling, is about making people feel seen, heard, and empowered to write their next chapter.

Carolin Guentert

Partner, Co-Managing Partner, New York office, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and Co-Chair

Education: LLM, Georgetown University Law Center; JD, New York University School of Law; BA, The College of New Jersey

Company Name: Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight

Industry: legal industry, law firm

Company CEO: David Sanford, Chairman

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 105

Words you live by: “In this short Life that only lasts an hour / How much – how little – is within our power” – Emily Dickinson

Who is your personal hero? Judge Jack B. Weinstein, the federal judge for whom I clerked

What book(s) are you reading? Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo

What was your first job? Babysitting

Favorite charity: Sanctuary for Families – a nonprofit – assisting survivors of gender-based violence.

Interests/Hobbies: Taking pottery classes

Family: Living with my husband, baby, and energetic dachshund in Brooklyn, NY

When institutions do wrong, she holds them accountable

I am a lawyer at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, a firm that represents plaintiffs in civil rights cases. I represent employees who experienced discrimination or harassment in their workplace, students who suffered Title IX violations, and sexual assault survivors who have civil claims against their abusers. A significant part of my work involves holding institutions – including employers, schools, or the government – accountable for the harm they caused or failed to prevent.

Naturally, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the role of institutions in our lives. In many ways, institutions impact us positively. My law school provided the education I needed to do this work and fostered a community in which I met my now-husband and many of my closest friends. My firm has been my professional home for many years, and my colleagues make me a better lawyer. The hospital in which I gave birth ensured that my child and I were safe and cared for in the first few days of his life. And when my family first moved to the US, my elementary school provided me with ESL classes, making sure that I learned English and kept up with my classmates. In short, institutions can shape us for the better.

But many of my firm’s clients come to us when an institution fails them. For example, I regularly represent

employees who faced discrimination at work. Their employer either let the misconduct happen, or punished the employee for reporting it, both of which are illegal under civil rights laws. I also represent students whose schools or colleges failed to keep them safe, either from sexual violence or discrimination. And together with another partner at my firm, I lead a practice group that represents survivors of abuse against institutions such as the military, religious organizations, healthcare providers, and boarding schools.

I believe that holding institutions accountable is important precisely because of the substantial role they play in many people’s lives. A workplace in which one employee is sexually harassed or fired for taking parental leave is often discriminating against other workers, and an organization in which a child is harmed is often unsafe for other children as well. My hope is that civil cases against these institutions not only get some measure of justice for our clients, but also inspire broader changes that make the environment more equitable for everyone.

I have so much respect for my clients who stand up for what is right and try to change their institutions for the better, even if doing so comes at great personal risk. Especially in this time of political uncertainty, I hope that more of us will follow their lead when we see injustice.

Allison Danielsen CEO

Education: BA, George Washington University; AA, Dutchess Community College

Company Name: Tallo

Industry: Education/Technology

Company CEO: Allison Danielsen

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA

Number of Employees: 40

Your Location: Orlando, FL

Words you live by: “Have no fear of perfection— you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dalí

Who is your personal hero? My mother

What book(s) are you reading? Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

What was your first job? Attendant at a poster stand in the mall

Favorite charity: Sparrow’s Nest

Interests/Hobbies: Bowling, painting, traveling, coffee, and cooking

Find your joy and that will make you a better worker and a more supportive colleague

I’ve always been interested in how people figure out what to do with their lives. Not in a grand, abstract way—but in the everyday decisions: what job to take, what to study, how to move forward when the path isn’t clear. That’s what led me to the work I do now— helping young people explore careers, build skills, and connect to real opportunities.

My own career hasn’t been a straight line. I’ve worked a lot of different jobs across industries — some I wasn’t sure about at all. What I’ve learned is that most people are trying to make good choices with the information they have. The problem is, the system isn’t always built to help them do that.

That’s what drives me: making it easier for people to see what’s possible and take the next step with confidence. Especially young people who are just starting

out and trying to make sense of it all.

But I’ve also learned that a good life isn’t just about work. In my free time, I bowl competitively, paint landscapes, and try to find the best latte in every city I visit. Those things have nothing to do with my job but they are an important part of my life. They remind me that we all need to find things to do because we enjoy them, not because they are productive or impressive.

That perspective has helped me show up better at work, too. It keeps me focused on what actually matters: people, their goals, and the support they need to get there.

I don’t think there’s one “right” path. But I do believe everyone deserves a fair shot at building a future they’re proud of. That’s what I care about. And that’s what keeps me going.

Greg Thompson

Superintendent Train Operations

He’s been working on the railroad to make it as safe as possible

Greg Thompson’s unwavering commitment and drive for excellence have consistently transformed unsafe, low-performing rail yards into models of safety and efficiency, most notably leading the El Paso terminal to its first-ever year with zero injuries. His leadership philosophy emphasizes trust, collaboration, and empowering his team, resulting in significant productivity improvements and fostering a supportive, high-performing work environment. Thompson’s dedication to public safety and community engagement, including securing funds for critical safety projects and mentoring emerging talent, underscores his exceptional contributions to the rail industry.

Throughout his career, Thompson has navigated the complex process of maintaining momentum and delivering exceptional customer service across four distinct rail yards: Herington, Wichita, Salina, and El Paso. His ability to build trust and foster relationships with craft professionals and local management teams has been crucial to his success. Under his leadership, the El Paso complex’s productivity soared from processing approximately 650 cars per day in 2021 to an impressive 1,000 cars per day, despite operating with half the staffing.

Thompon’s hands-on approach and passion for his role are evident as he works alongside employees and mentors emerging talent. His commitment to cultivating up-andcoming leaders and his drive for excellence have set a benchmark for operational efficiency and team cohesion within Union Pacific. Starting his journey with Union Pacific in 2004 at the age of 19, Thompson quickly advanced through the ranks due to his dedication and commitment, holding various progressively responsible roles.

His proactive approach in securing public safety grants and addressing workforce issues through engagement classes has strengthened overall team cohesion and performance. Thompson’s strategic and compassionate leadership has not only transformed the safety culture at the El Paso terminal but also built a unified team committed to excellence. His ability to inspire and lead, coupled with his dedication to public safety and team development, makes him a deserving nominee for any award recognizing outstanding achievement and service in the rail industry.

Education: Bachelors, Business Administration, University of Phoenix

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad

Industry: Railroad

Company CEO: Jim Vena

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NB

Number of Employees: 32,439

Your Location: El Paso, TX

Words you live by: Trust and respect is earned, always take the high road, let your moral compass be your guide, always trust but verify and learn something new every day.

Who is your personal hero? My Dad, he taught me strong values and work ethic

What book(s) are you reading? Start With Why by Simon Sinek

What was your first job? I’ve had a job since the age of 10 when I started mowing lawns for neighbors.

Favorite charity: St Judes and local search and rescue non-profits

Interests/Hobbies: Backpacking, camping and 1/8 scale off road RC racing

Family: I’ve been married to my wife Lori for 13 years and we have two children, my son Connor, 10, and my daughter Kira, 7.

Education: JD, International Politics, Duke University

School of Law; BS, Georgetown University

Company Name: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Anjan Sahni (Managing Partner)

Company Headquarters

Location: Washington, DC and Boston, MA

Number of Employees: 1,100 lawyers

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by:

“If you work really hard, and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

Who is your personal hero? Every woman who has championed me – from my mom to my friends to my mentors.

What book(s) are you reading? The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III by Peter Baker & Susan Glasser.

What was your first job? Sales associate at Old Navy (age 16)

Favorite charity: Catholic Relief Services

Interests/Hobbies:

Watching my kids’ basketball games; Peloton; getting through my stack of New Yorkers

Family: Husband Matt (founder and director of a local DC nonprofit) and our two kids

Tania Faransso Partner

Citizen of the firm and mentor, this lawyer makes sure that new lawyers are on the right track

In addition to leading several teams at the firm, Tania Faransso prioritizes her role as a mentor within the firm. Among other efforts, she serves as a steering committee member for the Women’s Leadership Initiative and firmwide inclusion efforts; invests significant time in mentoring summer associates, associates, and counsel; and contributes throughout the year to the firm’s recruiting efforts.

Finally, Faransso is committed to making a positive impact on the firm’s culture. She thus prioritizes her role as a mentor to summer associates, associates, and counsel, and has for many years invested significant efforts in fostering these relationships. She is a consistent presence at firm events, including those of the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and regularly speaks on panels within the firm focused on the development of junior attorneys. Through the energy and dedication she brings to these activities, Faransso embodies what it means to be a “citizen” of the firm.

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING

in STEAM

The Women Worth Watching® in STEAM Award honors exceptional women who embody both talent and leadership in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Nominated by their employers or colleagues, these trailblazers are visionary, confident, and forward-thinking leaders who drive innovation and create lasting value within their organizations and industries.

More than just high performers, these women are purpose-driven changemakers who inspire others—mentoring the next generation and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

PROFILES IN

LEADERSHIP

L AT INO & HISPANIC LE ADERSHIP JOURNAL

The 5th Annual Latino Leadership Awards

PLJ Salutes our

Fifth

Class of Latino Leadership Award Winners

For 27 years, Profiles in Leadership Journal has been dedicated to honoring and recognizing exceptional individuals who have triumphed over challenges, served as mentors, and demonstrated excellence in their professional endeavors and communities. We are thrilled to announce the release of the fifth edition of the Latino Leadership Awards.

The profiles featured in this issue highlight the remarkable accomplishments and unwavering commitment of these Latino Leaders. Each honoree has generously shared their insights through thought-provoking questions and essays, providing our readers with a deeper understanding of these dynamic, multilingual, and innovative individuals.

We are excited to present the fifth annual Latino Leadership Awards by PLJ

Sergio Urias Partner

Company Name: Akin

Industry: Legal

Education: LLM, Harvard Law School; JD, Escuela Libre de Derecho

Company CEO: Dan Walsh and Abid Qureshi

Company HQ: N/A, firm does not have an HQ

Number of employees: 1,800+

Your location: New York, NY

Words you live by: “Pay it forward.”

Who is your personal hero? My mom. A single mother, that raised me and my two siblings, and taught us to never give up.

What book(s) are you reading? A Vision for a Venture Capital: Realizing the Promise of Global Venture Capital and Private Equity by Peter Brooke (founder of Advent International and TA Associates).

What was your first job? Filing papers and running errands at a law firm in Mexico

Favorite charity: “Project Paz,” a New York non-profit that helps, through fundraising efforts and marketing campaigns, Latino and Mexican communities on both sides of the U.S. and Mexico border.

Interests/Hobbies: Chess

Family: My wonderful and talented wife, Margeret… and two kids, Valentina Alÿs (age 8) and Viggo Sebastian (age 6).

4 Takeaways from my career

How can today’s leaders support the next generation of Latino business leaders?

Leaders today can play a critical role in supporting the next generation by creating opportunities for mentorship and representation in positions of influence. An inclusive environment that creates opportunity for all, fosters creativity, innovation, and broader perspectives, which ultimately strengthen business outcomes. It’s essential that leaders invest in training programs that emphasize leadership skills and industry-specific knowledge. Additionally, fostering networks that allow Latino professionals to build relationships with established leaders can provide invaluable support for their career advancement.

Share a story about a key challenge you overcame.

In my second year of law school, an accident left me quadriplegic and wheel-

chair bound, presenting a significant challenge in my pursuit of a career as a transactional lawyer. Despite the physical limitations, I was determined to succeed. Throughout my career, I faced implicit (and in some cases explicit bias), with some doubting that a lawyer in a wheelchair could be as competent as others. These biases only fueled my resolve to prove my worth. I worked twice as hard to demonstrate that I was not only as good as my peers but, in many ways, an even better lawyer due to my unique experiences. My condition taught me resilience, problem-solving, and empathy—qualities that are invaluable in the legal profession. Over time, clients and colleagues recognized the value I brought to the table. One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been mentoring others facing similar challenges and advocating for greater inclusivity within the legal

field. My story is a testament to the fact that true capability is defined by determination, grit, and character, not physical limitations.

How important were mentors to your career success?

Mentors have been incredibly important to my career success. They provided not only legal and business insights but also emotional and professional guidance during challenging times. The legal profession can be daunting, especially when navigating cross-border deals and complex regulatory environments. My mentors helped me develop resilience, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the business landscape. Their influence continues to shape the way I approach both my legal practice and my professional growth. Without their support, I would not have had the confidence or the skills to reach my current position.

Juan Garcia

Director, Supply Chain Americas

Education: BA, major International Trade & minor Marketing

Company Name: allnex USA

Industry: Manufacturing: global producer of industrial coating resins and additives

Company CEO: Miguel Mantas

Company Headquarters Location: Frankfurt, Germany

Number of Employees: 4,000

Your Location: Alpharetta, GA

Words you live by: Family, honesty, respect

Who is your personal hero? Rosa Parks

What book(s) are you reading? Confessions by Kanae

What was your first job? Sales assistant

Favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity

Interests/Hobbies: Racquetball, travel

Family: Happily married with three children

Minato

Attention to detail and to people have guided his career and his volunteer work

Juan Garcia has been with allnex for 7+ years and holds dual roles of Director, Regional Supply Chain Americas and Site Manager for our Alpharetta location. Holding these dual roles involves the responsibility of developing and delivering strategic execution, organizational structure and financial performance in a diverse and multinational environment, as well as handling the site responsibilities including safety, site improvements, organizing town halls, leader of the events team, and working with staff to oversee donations and assistance around the community. With over 20 years of significant leadership experience around the world, Garcia is a valu-

able asset to the allnex team.

Garcia has been – and continues to be – an inspiration to those who work with him. He is one of those rare individuals who is gifted in what can be considered opposite ways: attention to detail as the Supply Chain Director – no easy task to juggle the complicated minutia of moving chemical resins – as well as the people mindset: able to understand and work with site employees to ensure the best possible work experience.

Part of Garcia’s role as site manager includes community involvement, and he has excelled at that as well. Working with staff and their interests, he has been

fundamental in organizing yearly donations to Breast Cancer Awareness (honoring two survivors at the site), donations to Jesse’s House and Bald Ridge Lodge (housing for teen girls and boys who had to be removed from their homes), Juvenile Diabetes, working with our safety manager for Blood Drive donations, Fire Safety Training and CPR/AED training, just to name a few. With Garcia’s vast experience including living and working in South America, Europe, Asia and North America, he is able to support and work with all cultures and communities and this is why he has earned the title of Latino and Hispanic Leadership award winner.

Eric Donnelly CEO

Education: BA, Economics, Southern Methodist University

Company Name: Crossroads Impact Corp

Industry: Community development finance

Company CEO: Eric Donnelly

Company Headquarters Location: Bedford, TX

Number of Employees: 14

Words you live by: You can’t keep it if you don’t give it away.

Who is your personal hero? There are heroes everywhere doing selfless and profound work.

What book(s) are you reading? A biography of Simon Bolivar

What was your first job? Intern at Amigos de las Americas

Favorite charity: Safe Place for Youth (SPY)

Interests/Hobbies: Family time, music, concerts, sports, travel and fabulous food

Family: Incredible wife and amazing artist and two intelligent, witty and hilarious young daughters

Lessons from a CEO who built his company from the ground up

1. We have to make the time to mentor and sponsor the younger leaders. Those of us who are far along in our careers need to say no to opportunities so that younger executives can have the opportunities to say yes.

We should all positively impact the lives of others.

Unfortunately I didn’t have a lot of mentors as I progressed in my career. I had people who took a chance on me but I had to do a lot on my own. 4. It’s human nature to want to hire and surround ourselves with people like us. The challenge is to be intentional about broadening the voices and perspectives around the boardroom and company.

5. Early in the life of our company, I was personally contingently liable for more money than I care to disclose. It was overwhelming.

Those of us who are far along in our careers need to say no to opportunities so that younger executives can have the opportunities to say

yes.

It motivated me to work very hard to get to scale where the company stood on its own without my personal credit enhancement. Fortunately, that happened.

6. Your first loss is your best loss.

7. My uncle John was an inspiration. I loved his vocation as a banker and how he lived a big life with family and friends.

8. I think we’re returning to how work was instead of how it has been since COVID.

9. Shareholder value and doing impactful things in communities don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You can do well by doing good. Always.

10. Grace under pressure.

11. Before some of the biggest meetings of my life, I’ve been at a concert until the wee hours of the night. Shhhh.

Gregory (“Goyo”) Schipilliti

Director of International

Education: MBA, Pepperdine University; MS and BS, Seton Hall University

Company Name: DailyPay

Industry: Fintech

Company CEO: Stacy Greiner

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 1,000

Words you live by: “No hay atajo sin trabajo, de bien nacido es ser agradecidos” – Translated loosely to there are no shortcuts without work and being grateful is a sign of politeness and good manners.

Who is your personal hero? My wife

What book(s) are you reading? Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, The Spanish Civil War, The Pilgrimage

What was your first job? Basketball coach

Favorite charity: Coaching basketball

Interests/Hobbies: Sports, reading, wine, cinema, and history

Family: Gema (wife), Phoenix (daughter), Reign (daughter), and Maverick (daughter)

An admirer of Don Quixote faces the windmills of life with zest and determination

I am a simple man (just call me Goyo), and when I say that, it simply means I always ground myself towards the gratitude of the (1) clarity of my purpose, (2) grind for personal growth (even when it is not linear), (3) courage of my convictions, and (4) joy of my family, most importantly.

You know, my favorite book of all time is Don Quixote. He as a protagonist in life has always intrigued me because of his relentless pursuit of ideals, despite overwhelming challenges. His passion for chivalric values, which seems so out of touch with reality, offers important lessons about determination, vision, and personal growth. Much like Don Quixote, who refuses to be swayed by societal norms, I find that my own professional passions are ignited when I follow my unique path—often against the tide of conventional wisdom. But please do note, I make

sure I surround myself with folks that challenge, check, and balance me.

Much like Don Quixote’s determination, though sometimes misguided, inspires me to approach my work with a sense of unwavering purpose, even in the face of uncertainty. He teaches that professional growth isn’t just about achieving set goals but also about staying true to one’s principles. His willingness to pursue lofty ideals, no matter how improbable they seem, reminds me that ambition should be fueled by more than just practicality; it should come from a place of passion and personal conviction. Furthermore, Don Quixote’s ability to find meaning in even the most mundane of situations speaks to the value of perspective. His adventures show that passion can be found in the most unexpected places.

Now, I am not saying I am Don

Quixote or that he specifically fuels my inspiration. But the older I get, I have found the greatest truths in the most quixotic paradoxes. However, as I say that, what allows me to be creative or fuel my passion, is still grounded in my foundational principles, headlined by my family.

So what fuels my professional passion? It’s my wife (who happens to be my hero) and my three kids (who are my blessings). The sacrifices of both mi mama and pa, and the memory of my mama. My siblings, as different as they may be. It’s the clarity of my purpose, the continual grind to grow, the courage of my convictions, and the joy of my family. And last but not least, the gratitude that as long as you are a good person, work hard, and are entitled to a tempranillo or cava once in a while –good Spanish wines – everything is going to be OK.

Bernardo L. Piereck de Sá Partner

Education: JD, George Mason University School of Law, BA, Florida International University; Managing Editor of The Docket Newspaper, Member of the George Mason Law Review, Trial Advocacy Association, Hispanic Law Students Association

Company Name: Dechert LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: David Forti and Mark Thierfelder (Co-Chairs)

Company Headquarters Location: Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY

Number of Employees: Approximately 2,000

Your Location: Washington, DC

Words you live by: “If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.” –St. Thomas Aquinas

Who is your personal hero? My father as a role model and Ayrton Senna as a childhood hero

What book(s) are you reading? We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine by Dr. Jordan Peterson

What was your first job? I worked as a server for a catering company starting at 14.

Favorite charity: Mother of Light Center (www.motheroflightcenter.com), which serves the mostly Latino poor and homeless families in Alexandria, Virginia.

Interests/Hobbies: Flying, traveling, hiking

Family: Clarissa (wife of 23 years), Maximilian (14) and Susanna (10)

My father and other mentors raised my sights when I first came to

America.

Young lawyers need mentors who do the same

Professional growth and success cannot be achieved in a vacuum: They are shaped by the wisdom, guidance, and support of mentors who illuminate opportunities and weigh risks. The success I have achieved has been forged under the guidance of multiple mentors who’ve guided me in my path from new immigrant to partner at a most prestigious global law firm. Their impact on my life underscores the importance of mentorship and the great responsibility I and other contemporary leaders have to nurture the next generation of Latino talent.

My earliest and most enduring mentor was my father, Claudio. Raised by a lower-middle class single mother in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s, he started working as a young boy and was by turns an actor, parachute maker, waiter, professor, translator, lawyer, and importer. It was my father who taught me the importance of faith, humility and hard work. He worked every day of his life and did all he could to provide me and my siblings the opportunity to focus on our education and growth, a luxury not available to him.

Our family’s migration to the United States on Valentine’s Day, 1990, was a crucible of chaos. I arrived in Miami as a tween, speaking no English, with no family or contacts, and immersed in a culture that was utterly foreign. As the eldest child, I was forced to become a trailblazer: the first in my family to navigate the American academic and professional world.

Thankfully, shortly following our arrival, transformative mentors, generous with their time and wisdom entered my life. There was the orchestra director who developed a nascent musical talent and instilled in me a work ethic that transcended musical performance. There was the sailing coach who pushed me to overcome setbacks and accept nothing short of victory. And crucially, there was the economics teacher who ignited my interest in social sciences and guided me from high school to college. These mentors illuminated paths my parents never trod and pushed me to expand my goals.

Similarly, my career as a professional has been shaped by numerous selfless mentors who spotted potential and

revealed opportunities. The director of enforcement at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where I was entrusted as a young economist, encouraged me to pursue law school; a former Big Law litigation partner provided me with objective career advice for more than twenty years. Many Dechert partners have also been formal and informal mentors helping me grow, first as an associate and then as a partner.

The debt of gratitude I feel towards those who gave me their time, expertise and advice has in turn inspired a profound responsibility in me to support the next generation of Latino business leaders. An inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued is an essential factor in allowing young Latino professionals to envision themselves in leadership roles to which they may not otherwise have aspired. It is immensely satisfying that I have been able to help bring this about by providing mentorship of my own, offering guidance, opportunities and a platform for growth to nurture young talent and help form the highly-skilled lawyers of tomorrow.

Gaela Gehring Flores Partner

Education: JD, Georgetown University Law Center; BA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Company Name: Hughes Hubbard & Reed

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Neil Oxford and Robb Patryk

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 182 Attorneys

Your Location: Washington DC

Words you live by: You can’t stop the music. God is in the details.

Who is your personal hero? My Mother and The Honorable Paul L. Friedman (US District Court, DC)

What book(s) are you reading? The Book of Love by Kelly Link; Punishment Without Crime by Alexandra Natapoff

What was your first job? My first job was as a mail preparation worker (read: envelope stuffer) at a direct marketing firm in Peoria, Illinois.

Favorite charity: Whitman Walker, KIND, Live it Learn it

Interests/Hobbies: Music, cycling, rock climbing

Family: I have an eclectic blended family that reminds me every day of the unspeakable beauty of this life.

My success is not solely my own

Essential to my success is the belief that my success is never mine alone. My success is the manifestation of the extraordinary professionals with whom I have had the fortune to work, their dedication to me, and mine to them. Through all of the intense and challenging work, I strive to demonstrate through my words and actions my commitment and respect for my team, and to persistently show them that I have their back, as I know they have mine. While I hold pride in the victories I have attained over the past three decades, that pales in comparison to the immense pride I have in my team.

While I hold pride in the victories I have attained over the past three decades, that pales in comparison to the immense pride I have in my team.

Emilio Saiz Partner

Education: JD, University of Michigan Law School; BA, Florida State University

Company Name: Hughes Hubbard & Reed

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Neil Oxford and Robb Patryk

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 182 Attorneys

Your Location: Miami, FL

Words you live by: Embrace difficult situations.

Who is your personal hero? My abuelo, Lorenzo Indaberea.

What book(s) are you reading? The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

What was your first job? Office services and “cafecito” guy at a Miami construction company

Favorite charity: Educando (f/k/a as World Education and Development Fund), where I serve on the Board of Directors.

Interests/Hobbies: I am an avid soccer fanatic, and still play regularly. I also love to cook outdoors (the more rustic, the better).

Family: My beautiful wife Cat, and three wonderful kids: Elena (9), Cecilia (7) and Lorenzo (5).

Law firm mentors helped guide him through the law and through life

I knew HHR Miami was home from the moment I walked into Amy Dulin’s office in 2007. Within 24 hours I had agreed to join them as a summer associate in 2008.

I felt at the time that landing at that office was my greatest blessing. I was in awe at the way that the partners managed complex matters; and difficult clients; and difficult opposing counsel – always with such grace, directness and positivity. It was contagious.

There haven’t been many life decisions that haven’t been heavily influenced by the example and advice I have received from those same colleagues. From dating, to buying houses, to changing diapers, to developing

a practice and a client base, to being a proper husband, dad, friend, mentor, and law partner;

You can only

build a career one brick at a

time and it will turn out to be something different, and maybe better, than what you could imagine.

and frankly, how to be happy in being all those things.

Looking back now, however,

I realize how difficult being a mentor really is. Our careers are extremely demanding and mentoring someone takes dedication, time and effort. However, it’s hardly a one-way street – in my experience it is pretty obvious when someone is genuinely grateful for, and receptive to, advice. They simply don’t take the opportunities for granted. It’s amazing what can happen when you seize those opportunities and don’t shy away from those challenges. You can only build a career one brick at a time and it will turn out to be something different, and maybe better, than what you could imagine.

So be grateful for your mentors and those opportunities, especially when things get hard.

L

Ana Navarro De Ruiz Engagement

Coach

Education: Chemical Industrial Engineer, Universidad Rafael Landivar Guatemala MBA, Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Guatemala

Company Name: IQ Academy Los Angeles

Industry: Education

Company CEO: Nick Stecken, Head of School

Company Headquarters Location: Simi Valley, CA

Number of Employees: 160+

Your Location: Los Angeles, CA

Words you live by: We often don’t know what others have gone through; however, we can choose to be kind and compassionate. By doing this, we improve the world as we can, and our ability to do this holds the promise of rippling out by testifying to the possibility that others can do so as well. At the end, the same that we give will come back to us, multiplied. Everyone needs kindness and compassion, including ourselves.

Who is your personal hero? My grandparents, who put their lives on hold to raise my sisters and me after our parents died.

What book(s) are you reading? Teaching With the Heart in Mind by Lorea Martinez and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

What was your first job? Internship for High-level Women, Avon Products, Guatemala. It was a new program for young women studying high demanding careers such as engineering. It was a great opportunity to get to know the company as a whole.

Favorite charity: Hope in a Suitcase and Megan’s Mission Interests/Hobbies: I love spending time with my family, exercising, reading, cooking, and learning.

Family: My husband, Gary, and two children: Daniel and Sara.

Her start as her children’s first teacher led to a career in education

Throughout your life, many things intertwine that open new paths. When I left my previous profession, the decision was easy since my children became my priority the moment they were born. Thanks to my husband, I had the opportunity to dedicate my time to them. It was a wonderful gift that I treasured and wouldn’t change for anything. One of the most important decisions we made was to choose a virtual school for our children’s education. Since it was an unconventional path, we took on a great responsibility to ensure our children’s educational needs were met. However, that opened the door to a wonderful and enriching experience for us. It allowed me to immerse myself in school life in a special way. After our children graduated, I had the opportunity to start working at a sister virtual school, and from that moment on I felt at home.

The experience that I had from my children’s school years gave me perspective as a parent and as a mentor; in addition, the experience that I have gained through my years at IQ Academy allowed me to have a broader vision of our setting and of the needs of our students and families.

I am passionate about working to support students, families, and teachers in the school as we help to create bridges and enhance our community. I also appreciate that children have their own personalities, traits, and potential; and I can help them realize their own value. Every child has the right to reach their own potential and not just academic, but as a whole person. This is the reason I work to learn and apply SEL (Social Emotional Learning); because it complements academic instruction in a wonderful way and becomes an integral part of

the person. SEL applies to everyone, which is very powerful because it can help to set a solid shared foundation to create strong and positive communities. We help our students recognize and appreciate their own value while they also become more understanding and open to learning from others. This is something that you can see when we talk about cultural differences and personal relationships. This is why we work to include parents and families within these practices, because their participation is fundamental to giving continuity to our work. It is always encouraging to see parents involved and engaged, knowing that differences in culture or language are not barriers, but rather aspects which enrich the lives of the community, and it is heartening to know that we are working together to shape a world where everyone can thrive.

Mauricio A. Uribe Partner

Education: JD, University of Kansas School of Law; BS, Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia

Company Name: Knobbe Martens

Industry: Legal – Intellectual Property and Technology

Company CEO: Steven Nataupsky, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA

Number of Employees: 653

Your Location: Seattle, WA

Words you live by: “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau

Who is your personal hero? My father - Francisco Antonio Uribe

What book(s) are you reading? The Greatness Mindset: Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today by Lewis Howes, The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life by Barry Nalebuff and Avinash Dixit, Think Again by Adam Grant, Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, The Midlife Cyclist by Phil Cavell and Probabilistic Robotics by Sebastian Thrun, Wolfram Burgard and Dieter Fox

What was your first job? Movie theatre - concessions and box office

Favorite charity: Epilepsy Foundation Interests/Hobbies: Sports, music, history

Family: Wife (Cynthia Uribe); son (Gabe Uribe); daughter (Ava Uribe)

A good fit: Intellectual property law combines his passion for writing with his passion for engineering

One of the hallmarks of most intellectual property attorneys is their personal story of interaction or encouragement that sparked their interest in pursuing their career paths. My personal story of encouragement is one of mentorship and leadership as I completed my undergraduate studies in engineering and made the key decision to attend law school. The foundations of my passion towards pursuing two engineering undergraduate degrees was built by the example of more than seven engineers in my extended family, most notably my father and brother. Through their professional practices, I learned the work ethic and professionalism to be a successful engineer. Even though I am not a practicing engineer, my passion for learning new technologies continues

with me today.

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I had a shared passion for writing and logic that seemed incongruent with my engineering studies. It was at that point that I happened to have a conversation with an older college classmate (also with an engineering degree) who was graduating and attending law school the following year. My initial reaction was that he was abandoning his engineering studies in the pursuit of the law. But, as he described how he intended to pursue a career in intellectual property that leveraged (and required) his technical studies, it was as if my incongruent worlds aligned for the first time. The more he described his understanding of a career in intellectual property, the more I realized that this would have

to be my career path as well. Since that conversation in the mid-1990’s my path has been set.

As I am about to complete my third decade of professional practice, I still have the same sense of satisfaction of combining my two interests. I am grateful for all the role models and friends that demonstrated a commitment to their practice and were generous with their time. I carry with me a sense of obligation to tell my story and interact with students and aspiring intellectual property attorneys so that hopefully I can provide a spark in the manner it was given to me. I also look to lead by example at my firm so that more junior attorneys of diverse backgrounds have an opportunity for mentorship and guidance.

Josue Villalta Partner

Education: JD, University of California College of Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of Law); MS, Stanford University; BS, University of California, Santa Barbara

Company Name: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP

Industry: Law (Intellectual Property and Technology Law)

Company CEO: Steven Nataupsky, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA

Number of Employees: 673

Your Location: Los Angeles, CA

Words you live by: Words I live by are “treat others as you’d like to be treated.”

Who is your personal hero? My personal heroes are my parents, for all they taught me.

What book(s) are you reading? Pillar of Fire by Taylor Branch and on the Western Front by Erich Remarque

What was your first job? My first job was as an engineering intern at Chevron refinery in El Segundo, CA.

Favorite charity: My favorite charity is World Central Kitchen, for all they do to feed those impacted by natural disasters and humanitarian crises

Interests/Hobbies: My interests and hobbies include soccer, baseball, and travel

Family: My wife Marsha, daughter Olivia and son Joel.

He’s in love with a legal career he didn’t know about for years

What led me to pursue a legal career, and in particular a career in intellectual property law, was a desire to protect innovation and work with different technologies, while continuing to grow professionally. Most IP lawyers have a background in engineering and science due to the technical knowledge needed for many of the matters we work on, so it was a perfect fit for someone with my engineering background.

I studied mechanical engineering in college, and after graduation worked as an engineer in the power generation industry, specifically in the nuclear power industry. The work was interesting but very focused in a particular technology area. After seven years, I found myself looking for a career change and wanting to work in a variety of technology areas, not just one. However, prior to deciding to attend law school, I was not aware

that IP could be a career path. It was a work colleague who had decided to transition from engineering to law that introduced me to IP law as a possible career path that would satisfy my desire to remain involved

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been to teach and mentor new attorneys

in technology. I have found IP law incredibly rewarding. I learn every day from the inventors I work with on the amazing technologies they are developing, among others in the cleantech and

medical device industries, and see how my work can help facilitate such technologies entering the market that can benefit society. I also see how my work in protecting innovation for start-up companies can help them raise financing and continue to grow.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been to teach and mentor new attorneys, cognizant that the mentoring I received as a new attorney was instrumental in helping me grow as an attorney at the firm. I have also found satisfaction in giving presentations on IP to college and high school students to introduce them to this area of law, especially those who may not otherwise be exposed to it like me. Perhaps some of them will decide to pursue a career in IP law, and find it as fulfilling as I have.

Laura Moreno Lucas General Partner

Education: BS, Criminal Law, California State University, Sacramento

Company Name: L’ATTITUDE Ventures

Industry: Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals

Company CEO: Sol Trujillo and Gary Acosta, Co-Founders

Company Headquarters Location: San Diego, CA

Number of Employees: 15

Words you live by: Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future.

Who is your personal hero? My mother

What book(s) are you reading? Latinas in VC by Laura Moreno Lucas

What was your first job? Chili’s

Favorite charity: Pangea Legal

Interests/Hobbies: I love fashion so much that I started my own fashion company, Ladada, which I later sold. This experience gave me a deep appreciation for how challenging it is to start and build a company from scratch. I also love working out— every day, I go for a run, and my favorite fitness app is Peloton. When I’m not shopping or working out, I’m dancing with my daughter. I believe dancing is a wonderful way to lift your spirit and express yourself, especially when life throws challenges your way.

Family: I have an amazing husband and beautiful daughter.

Running her own business taught her to make things happen and to be creative

In 2012, I was building a small fashion business out of my San Francisco apartment, known as Laly Designs, where I designed and created my fashion pieces. Then, something magical happened—fashion and technology began to merge in a way that reshaped the industry. Consumers started demanding a more personalized shopping experience, and hot brands like Nasty Gal dominated the e-commerce space with their cutting-edge indie fashion.

Silicon Valley was booming with companies like Gilt Groupe and Trunk Club, redefining how people shopped for clothing. During this time, I met someone in the fashion-tech space who introduced me to a gentleman from Canada who was launching a fashion subscription service. He believed my creative vision and his business-savvy approach

could make a powerful combination.

In 2015, we joined forces and started Ladada. But we knew that simply launching a fashion subscription service wasn’t enough—we needed a creative approach to introduce it to the world. The challenge was: “How could we spread the word and reach our ideal customer?”

That’s when I had an idea. I needed to be where my customer already was, meeting her in her daily routine. In 2015, downtown San Francisco was thriving, and every working woman commuting to the city passed through the same key locations. One of those hotspots was a coffee shop called The Station, located near the historic Sentinel Building—the home of Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary American Zoetrope and Café Zoetrope. This iconic location was a hub for professionals

on their way to work.

I saw an opportunity. By setting up shop inside The Station, I could connect with my target customers while they waited for their coffee. They could stop in, browse our collection, and even pick up or return items conveniently on their way to or from work. This simple yet strategic idea allowed us to engage directly with our audience, grow our brand, and build a loyal customer base that expanded to thousands.

This experience taught me that in moments of hustle and uncertainty, the best ideas are often born. When faced with a challenge, the key is to think outside the box, meet your customers where they are, and unlock the potential within you to solve problems in innovative ways. This backs into what I tell myself daily: Don’t wait for it to happen, make it happen.

Education: LLM, New York University, 2014

Company Name: Latham & Watkins

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Richard Trobman

Santiago Bejarano

Partner

Noted lawyer and negotiator is at the top of game when it comes to resolving conflicts for nations and corporations

Santiago Bejarano, a Colombian-born lawyer, is a respected leader in his field. After pursuing a legal career in the United States, he has excelled in providing counsel to clients on complex international disputes under civil and common law regimes. Representing U.S. and foreign corporations, state-owned enterprises, and sovereign states across diverse industries, he skillfully navigates critical international conflicts. With comprehensive knowledge of Latin American legal systems and business practices, Bejarano, who is licensed in Colombia and New York, advises clients on the challenges they face in the region. Fluent in Spanish,

he is a formidable advocate.

For over a decade, Santiago has successfully represented clients in high-profile international arbitrations under a range of institutional and ad-hoc rules, securing victories for his clients in key arbitral centers worldwide. Of particular significance for the Latino community, he has represented the Republic of Colombia and the Dominican Republic, helping these nations achieve substantial wins in investor-state disputes that centered on environmental protection and regulatory authority. Alongside his commercial arbitration work, Santiago dedicates time to pro-bono immigration cases, with a focus on assisting

Latin American clients.

Santiago, who was recently voted into the partnership at Latham effective March 1, has consistently been ranked as a leader in his field by prestigious legal directories such as Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, Legal 500 USA, and Legal 500 Latin America. He has also been named to Lexology’s Future Leaders – Arbitration list every year since 2019.

Renowned academic Santiago serves as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and is a sought-after speaker at international arbitration conferences worldwide. He has also authored numerous book chapters and articles in his field.

Guido Liniado Partner

Education: LLM, Columbia University School of Law

Company Name: Latham & Watkins

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Richard Trobman

This outstanding leader in cross border financing is also an outstanding volunteer

Guido Liniado is widely regarded as a market leader in complex cross-border financing matters across Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly for energy and infrastructure assets. He represents an array of clients, including sponsors, asset managers, investment and commercial banks, institutional investors, and development finance institutions, seamlessly handling both finance and capital markets issues. Liniado’s work also encompasses advising on private-public partnerships (PPPs) and other concession frameworks, such as guiding the government of Argentina on the design and implementation of its multi-billiondollar PPP program.

Liniado, a native of Argentina, takes a practical, business-focused,

and innovative approach, combined with a deep understanding of the key issues, risks, and business drivers affecting deals across Latin America and the Caribbean. His Spanish language fluency and cultural expertise are particularly valuable in helping clients achieve their goals in the region. Liniado has led landmark deals in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.

Liniado’s diverse portfolio showcases his versatility in financing deals. He has advised on an array of complex transactions, including project bond and repack structures, over 10 multi-source and multi-currency loan/bond financings for

Colombia’s 4G program, more than 10 securitizations of milestone-based receivables tied to infrastructure assets, multiple credit-enhanced financings involving multilateral and development agencies, and various ESG-related matters.

Liniado, a versatile legal professional, maintains a robust pro bono practice alongside his commercial work. He represents Afghans who previously worked for the U.S. government and are now seeking permanent U.S. residence. Additionally, Liniado is a donor to Fundación Integrar and Por Los Chicos, two prominent Argentine non-governmental organizations that provide vital services to underprivileged children and young adults.

Patty Arvielo Co-Founder and CEO

Company Name: New American Funding Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Patty and Rick Arvielo

Company Headquarters Location: Tustin, CA

Number of Employees: 4,700

Your Location: Las Vegas, NV

Words you live by: If you see it, you can be it

Who is your personal hero? My husband, Rick

What book(s) are you reading? The book I am reading is Get Out of Your Own Way by Mark Goulston & Philip Goldberg

What was your first job? Clerical position at TransUnion Credit

Favorite charity: Project Heal

Interests/Hobbies: Traveling and spending time with my friends and family

Family: My husband Rick, my children Trevor, Tara and Dominic

A mortgage leader dedicated to making sure that homeownership is for everyone

Patty Arvielo, CEO and Co-Founder of New American Funding, leads the largest Latinaowned mortgage company in the U.S. With over four decades of experience, she manages 285 locations and over 4,600 employees. Through her work with the NAF Promise initiative, she advocates for equitable homeownership within diverse communities.

Arvielo sits on the board of Harvard Kennedy School and, in 2023, Vanguard University named its business school in her honor. She has been recognized on the 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 list and by HousingWire’s 2024 Women of Influence, the LA Times’ CEO Visionaries, and Latino Leaders’

Latino on Boards 2024.

Patty Arvielo has revolutionized the mortgage industry with her dedication to serving diverse communities. Her innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to inclusivity have propelled NAF into one of the nation’s leading independent mortgage lenders. Under her leadership, NAF has pledged to originate $20 billion in new mortgages for Black homebuyers and $10 billion for Latino homebuyers by 2028 through its NAF Promise initiatives, including NAF Black Impact and NAF Latino Focus.

Arvielo’s impact reaches beyond NAF, as she champions industry-wide diversity, equity,

and inclusion through her work with the Mortgage Bankers Association. Arvielo also leads influential mentorship programs, such as Thrive & Lead, where she personally guides mentees on topics relating to business, networking, and work-life balance. Since its inception in 2023, the program has engaged over 110 mentees and witnessed a remarkable 63% increase in participants from 2023 to 2024.

She also partners with #WeAllGrow Latina, which fosters a supportive community that generates equal opportunities and empowers Latinas to unlock their full potential in spaces where they can flourish.

Will Colon

Vice President and Head of Foundational Business Operations & Shared Services

Education: BA, Accounting, Upsala College, complemented by certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Cash Manager (CCM).

Company Name: New York Life

Industry: Financial Services

Company CEO: Craig DeSanto

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 11,600

Words you live by: Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.

Who is your personal hero? Roberto Clemente

What book(s) are you reading? Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David

What was your first job? Accountant at Southwestern Bell

Favorite charity: The Humane Society

Interests/Hobbies: DIY home projects and weight training

Family: Happily married with three children and two dogs

The right team with the right training and the right leadership can help a company succeed

As the head of Foundational Business Operations & Shared Services, I’ve learned that success is never just about strategy, financial acumen, or operational efficiency—though all are important. The single most essential trait that’s defined my success is realizing that it all comes down to people: having the right team, coaching them to excel, and celebrating their achievements. The ability to recognize, develop, and empower people is the cornerstone of sustainable success.

An organization is only as strong as its people. While processes, technology, and structures may evolve, without a capable, motivated, and engaged team, even the best-laid plans will fall short. I’ve found that surrounding myself with the right people—those who are talented, driven, and aligned with the company’s values—is the most crucial factor in achieving operational excellence. Identifying and recruiting

top talent isn’t just about skills and experience; it’s about cultural fit, adaptability, and a shared vision for success.

However, assembling the right team is just the start. To unlock potential, leaders must invest in coaching and development. I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship and guidance can transform employees into high performers who are not just meeting, but exceeding, expectations. My role as a leader includes removing obstacles, providing constructive feedback, and creating an environment where individuals feel both challenged and supported. By fostering a growth mindset and encouraging continuous learning, I empower my team to innovate, take ownership, and drive meaningful change.

Equally important is recognizing and celebrating success. In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to focus solely on the next challenge or goal. Yet, taking the time to acknowledge achievements—

big or small—boosts morale, reinforces positive behaviors, and fosters a culture of appreciation. When people feel valued, they become more engaged, motivated, and willing to go above and beyond. I prioritize celebrating milestones, highlighting important contributions, and expressing gratitude, ensuring that success is shared and not just measured.

Ultimately, my success stems from the simple yet powerful realization that people are at the heart of everything. The ability to attract, develop, and celebrate talent is not just a leadership responsibility—it’s the key to long-term organizational success. By focusing on people first, I’ve been able to drive performance, build strong teams, and create an environment where success is a shared journey. In the end, businesses thrive not because of processes or strategies alone but because of the people who bring them to life.

Jimena Sayavedra

Associate Director

Education: Master in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago; BS, Psychology, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina;

Company Name: Newmark

Industry: Commercial Real Estate

Company CEO: Barry Gosin

Company Headquarters Location: New York, NY

Number of Employees: 8,000

Your Location: Chicago, IL

Words you live by: Constant learning and growth persist, through challenges conscious leadership prevails

Who is your personal hero? Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her tenacity has always been incredibly inspiring to me

What book(s) are you reading? The Measure by

What was your first job? Babysitting

Favorite charity: Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Interests/Hobbies: Running and gardening

Nikki Erlick

Family: My partner and I each have daughters. My parents and siblings live in Argentina and I visit them often.

She’s helping Americans of all backgrounds enter the exciting field of commercial real estate

Passion is the driving force behind my career, my advocacy, and my vision for the future. My enthusiasm for the built environment and the role it plays in shaping communities has fueled my commitment to helping business owners make informed decisions about their locations. Industrial real estate, in particular, presents an exciting opportunity to create sustainable solutions that benefit both businesses and the environment.

Beyond my professional endeavors, I am deeply engaged in organizations dedicated to increasing the representation of women and professionals of color in commercial real estate. I recognize the systemic barriers that have historically limited access to opportunities in this field, and I am determined to create a lasting legacy of support for women looking to break into and thrive in

the industry. By fostering mentorship, networking, and professional development, I strive to pave the way for future generations of diverse talent.

My passion is also fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a relentless drive for continuous learning. The ever-evolving landscape of real estate demands constant adaptation, and I thrive on the challenge of staying ahead of industry trends and innovations. Despite the barriers I have faced as a Latina professional, I am grateful for the resilience and competitive mindset that have propelled me forward. More than just personal success, I see my journey as an opportunity to inspire other women to pursue careers in commercial real estate, build wealth, and achieve financial prosperity.

Sustainability is another key pillar of my passion. Industrial real estate

has lagged behind other asset types in adopting sustainability initiatives, but there are vast opportunities to drive progress in this space. I am excited about the potential to implement sustainable practices in industrial development and operations, explore energy-efficient solutions, and promote responsible land use.

Ultimately, my passion is rooted in the belief that the work I do today can create lasting change for both individuals and industries. Whether it is empowering business owners, supporting women and diverse professionals, or championing sustainability in industrial real estate, I am motivated by the opportunity to make a difference. The challenges I have faced have only reinforced my commitment, and I look forward to continuing this journey with purpose and determination.

Jesika Silva Blanco Partner

Education: JD, The University of Texas School of Law; BA, Sociology, Harvard College

Company Name: Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Jeff Cody, Global Managing Partner and United States Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Houston; New York; London

Number of Employees: 7,354

Your Location: Houston, TX

Words you live by: The greatest lesson of life is that you are responsible for your life.

Who is your personal hero? My parents

What book(s) are you reading? My book list is currently inundated with children’s bedtime stories.

What was your first job? Store clerk at a toy shop

Favorite charity: Donating to local scholarships

Interests/Hobbies: Cooking, Peloton, strategy puzzles

Family: Franklin (husband), Camilla (daughter), Elias (son)

Her work ethic and an ability to handle the toughest challenges made the difference in her life

While there are many traits that I could say contributed to the goals that I’ve achieved, the one trait that has been essential to my success is my work ethic. I grew up in a blue-collar, dual-income household in which my parents modeled and ingrained in me the value of hard work each and every day. At just 12 years old, I boarded a school bus early in the morning to attend middle school and high school outside of my neighborhood in pursuit of a safer environment and a better education. As a junior in high school, I held my first job as a store clerk at a toy store and was able to achieve the highest honor at graduation as I was proudly named Valedictorian in my class.

I not only was the first in my family to attend college, but I did so at Harvard College while working a part-time job in the library the entire duration of my undergraduate years. I then went on to attend the University of Texas School of Law. From my freshman year in college through law school, I made an effort to find a new and challenging internship opportunity every summer. After law school, I joined the prestigious global law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright where I was recently promoted to partner.

As a first-generation college student and a first-generation lawyer, there have been many moments where I felt out of place and even questioned whether I

belonged. I vividly remember feeling like I had to work twice as hard, and I added tutoring just to keep up with my peers in college who all came from prestigious high schools across the country. The feeling of being lost, trying to navigate the professional legal world, is still instilled in me. And yet, in each of these moments the one thing I have felt secure about and that has been instrumental to my success is my deep-rooted belief in the value of hard work and my ability to overcome anything that life throws my way through hard work. It is a trait that I believe many of my closest colleagues and peers would attribute to me. It is a trait that I pride myself in. And, it is a trait that I hope to instill in my children.

Adriana Mendes-Sheldon

Director of Community Partnerships

Education: Harvard University, Business & Management; University of Michigan, Certificate in Community Development & Engagement, Ibmec, Execut

Centro Universitário do Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia, Metallurgical Engineering

Company Name: Project Bread

Industry: Nonprofit

Company CEO: Erin McAleer

Company Headquarters Location: East Boston, MA

Number of Employees: 85

Your Location: Woburn, MA

Words you live by: “Do the Right Thing, Even When It’s Hard.”

Who is your personal hero? Jesus led with love, humility, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.

What book(s) are you reading? The Briar Club by Kate Quinn and Theory by Mel Robbins

What was your first job? An internship at Andersen Consulting Management Consulting firm (currently Accenture)

Favorite charity: Project Bread (projectbread.org) & Inclusive Eats (inclusiveeats.org)

Interests/Hobbies: I love being around people, cooking, travelling, and reading.

Family: My husband Matt, daughter Sophia, twin boys Luke and Noah, and cats and 1 dog.

Choosing the right way may be harder, but it’s still right

Success is rarely a straight path –especially for immigrants. We often walk into rooms where our competence may be questioned before we even speak, where our accents speak louder than our words, and where our resumes are read with an extra layer of scrutiny. I thought I had already overcome those hurdles. But after stepping away from the workforce for ten years to raise my children, I learned that sometimes, you have to prove yourself all over again.

Before my career break, I was a global management consultant, advising top executives, shaping strategies, and traveling the world. But when I decided to return, my impressive resume didn’t come with a “Welcome Back” sign. There was no structured plan, no roadmap, and – in my case – no mentor guiding me through the transition.

So, I did what I have always done: I showed up. Not in boardrooms, but in my community. I volunteered,

offered my skills, and gave my talents freely. I approached every task – big or small -– as if it were a million-dollar project. Because for me, excellence isn’t about a title – it’s about how you show up.

Then, one day, when I wasn’t even looking, a job found me. The effort I put in, the way I brought people and ideas together, the impact made, none of it went unnoticed. The job was a far cry from my previous leadership roles, but I embraced it with the same enthusiasm and dedication! I was not overly concerned about where that role was taking me, but I was 100% determined to contribute, problem solve, and create meaningful connections. Little by little, new doors opened and opportunities unfolded, leading me to where I am today.

Looking back, I realize how many times I reinvented myself during those years. Talents that had been dormant came back to life. My

re-entry wasn’t structured – but it happened. Not because someone showed me the way, but because when you show up with humility and persistence, a path builds itself.

This journey has taught me that leadership isn’t about positions or a job title – it’s about impact. Don’t wait for the perfect position or plan to start doing something! I didn’t have a roadmap, but I had integrity, resilience, and a belief that meaningful relationships create impact. Especially for immigrants, who have to prove ourselves beyond the norm, I know that authenticity and a commitment to excellence can break down barriers.

To anyone facing a career gap, starting over, or feeling underestimated: Just start. Show up! Add value! The path will form ahead of you. Success isn’t defined by where you begin or the detours you take. And if anyone doubts you? Smile – and get to work!

Marisa Calderon

President & CEO

Education: BA, Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley

Company Name: Prosperity Now

Industry: Non-profit

Company CEO: Marisa Calderon

Company Headquarters Location: Washington, DC

Number of Employees: About 30 employees

Your Location: San Diego, CA

Words you live by: How you do anything is how you do everything.

Who is your personal hero? My mom – She grew up in Compton and was a lifelong Air Force veteran, achieving the highest enlisted rank of chief master sergeant, and earned her bachelor’s degree as an adult before retiring. She exemplified hard work, dedication and commitment.

What book(s) are you reading? Tyranny of the Status Quo by Milton and Rose Friedman

What was your first job? I worked at Little Caesar’s in High School.

Favorite charity: Home Start – They are a non-profit agency in San Diego that strengthens families and protects children from abuse and neglect through behavioral health, housing, employment and community services resources.

Interests/Hobbies: I love travel, good food, hiking, camping, sewing, crochet and other ways of spending time with my family.

Family: I live in San Diego with my husband and two children.

For our nation to thrive, we all must be able to invest in it

The world is changing fast, and the intersection between technological innovation, public policy making and free market activity is at an inflection point. In the U.S. today people have fewer and more narrow asset building opportunities than they did in 1950’s America with wealth concentration held amongst the top 1%. The compounding effect of wealth enables the few to essentially build wealth and ownership opportunities more readily and rapidly. While America has been historically perceived as a land of opportunity, access to that opportunity is increasingly uneven.

This should concern us all because for the private sector to thrive, it requires a ready population of consumers who themselves have the resources to participate in the economy by purchasing homes, consumable goods, services and other material

and experiential items. Absent active intervention to ensure individuals can earn the opportunity to participate fully in the economy, the American way of life as we have known it will become a thing of the past.

guish helpful from harmful uses of technology. We also need to spend more time and resources investing in people and community and in ensuring everyone can bring to bear the full weight of their talents to the

Absent active intervention to ensure individuals can earn the opportunity to participate fully in the economy, the American way of life as we have known it will become a thing of the past.

Collectively, we need to be focused on building an ownership economy, so everyone has an opportunity to thrive in the way they choose. As individuals we need to be conversant in technological advancements, including how AI can level the playing field and how to distin-

marketplace. This includes a recognition that an investment in people and communities is not a handout, but rather an opportunity to achieve a return on that investment to build a stronger overall U.S. economy. We all win when everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Teresa Di Elmo

Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President

Education: MS, Nursing, Drexel University; BS, Nursing, Felician University; Diploma of Nursing, Elizabeth School of Nursing; Associate in Science of Nursing, Union County College

Company Name: RWJBarnabas Health

Industry: Healthcare

Company CEO: Mark E. Manigan

Company Headquarters Location: West Orange, NJ

Number of Employees: 41,000

Your Location: Belleville, NJ

Words you live by: Leading with kindness and caring with heart

Who is your personal hero? My mother is a strong, inspiring person who always puts her family first.

What book(s) are you reading? A book about nursing leadership

What was your first job? Nurse extern on an oncology unit

Interests/Hobbies: Spending time with family and traveling

Family: Husband Mike, grandson: RJ, daughter Alyssa, sons: Michael & Matthew. Parents: Teresa & Salvador

Nurses make the world a better place with skills, leadership and a dose of kindness

As a child of immigrant parents, I have witnessed the potential to provide better care for our communities. I have also witnessed the best of humanity exemplified in nurses as they care for the most vulnerable through their communication, compassion, and empathy. Their commitment to creating an optimal environment and their resilience to rise above any crisis is inspiring! This experience has fueled my professional passion over the years. It is a humbling honor to work in the nursing profession and serve my fellow colleagues and community.

I have also witnessed the best of humanity exemplified in nurses as they care for the most vulnerable through their communication, compassion, and empathy.

Luis Salazar Partner

Education: JD, Columbia University School of Law; MBA, University of Miami; BA, Drew University

Company Name: Salazar Law

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Luis Salazar

Company Headquarters Location: Miami, FL

Daddy lessons: This lawyer’s father taught him about respect, hard work and excellence.

Mentors have been instrumental in shaping my career, but none more so than my first and greatest mentor— my father, Luis G. Salazar. Before I ever set foot in a courtroom, I learned invaluable lessons working alongside him at S & T Cleaners, our family’s dry cleaning business in Washington Heights, New York. While many of my peers in law learned professional discipline from professors or senior attorneys, I learned mine from a man who built his own success from nothing, through sheer perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

From the time I was nine years old, my father made sure I worked in the business. The conditions were grueling—long hours, relentless heat, and the never-ending task of handling other people’s dirty laundry. But the lessons I absorbed in that shop have become the founda-

tion of my legal career. He taught me to respect and love customers, insisting that no matter how busy I was, I should stop what I was doing the second a customer walked in, address them by name, and make them feel valued. That principle has carried over into my law practice, where client service is paramount.

He also ingrained in me that appearance matters. Every day, we swept the floors, dusted, and polished the windows—not because anyone would complain, but because the image we projected spoke volumes about our work. In the legal profession, this lesson has translated into ensuring that every interaction, every document, and every argument we present is polished and impeccable.

Most importantly, my father taught me the value of delivering exceptional work. He was known as

a perfectionist in his craft—people traveled from miles away for his meticulous cleaning, particularly of wedding dresses. His reputation for quality work allowed his business to thrive despite fierce competition. This same principle drives me today: in my firm, mediocrity is not an option. Producing outstanding legal work is not just an expectation; it is our defining characteristic.

While I have had the privilege of working with brilliant legal minds throughout my career, the most enduring mentorship I received came not from lawyers, but from my father in a small dry cleaning shop in New York City. His wisdom—about respect, presentation, and excellence—has guided me at every stage of my career. He may no longer be with us, but his lessons remain, shaping the way I practice law and lead my firm every day.

Leticia

Sanchez Managing Director

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Political Science and Government, Loyola Marymount University; Minor, Business Administration and Management, General, Loyola Marymount University

Company Name: Stretto

Industry: Restructuring

Company CEO: Eric Kurtzman and Jonathan Carson

Company Headquarters Location: Irvine, CA

Number of Employees: 403

Words you live by: “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m Possible” - Audrey Hepburn

Who is your personal hero? My father

What book(s) are you reading? The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins

What was your first job? Intern at USC-Medical Center

Favorite charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Interests/Hobbies: Volunteering

Family: Husband, Ricardo Sanchez, and son, Henry Sanchez

Don’t underestimate the power of perseverance to get you where you want to go

Success is often defined in various ways, but one trait stands out as universally essential: perseverance. This quality, characterized by persistence and determination in the face of challenges, plays a critical role in overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term goals. Throughout my life, I have faced numerous challenges that tested my resolve, most notably as a first-generation scholar.

Being a first-generation scholar, I forged my path to attending a four-year private university with no background in what that meant economically and academically. With the encouragement and support of my parents, I sought help, dedicated extra hours to studying, and made it to Loyola Marymount University. This experience taught me that persistence can lead to success, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

My father, who recently passed away, epitomized perseverance and

was my hero. He started working at age 14 and was always looking to improve himself. There was never anything that he could not solve or fix. His perseverance set the bar high for me and my brothers. He taught me that perseverance is not just about enduring hardships but about striving for progress. Whether in academics, career pursuits, or personal projects, the willingness to push through adversity can differentiate between those who achieve their goals and those who do not.

For example, successful entrepreneurs often face numerous failures before finding a winning idea. Their perseverance in the face of rejection ultimately leads to their success. The impact of perseverance extends beyond personal achievement. When others see a person demonstrating unwavering commitment, they are inspired to adopt a similar mindset. This creates a culture of resilience

and determination, fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to strive for their goals, regardless of obstacles.

I have found this especially to be true at Stretto. I’ve seen so much growth with my colleagues and know we are all rooting for each other to succeed. We are constantly striving for excellence and achieving great things together. Perseverance is a fundamental trait that underpins success. It empowers individuals to confront challenges head-on and pursue their aspirations relentlessly. My own experiences have shown me the transformative power of this trait. As I continue on my journey, I remain committed to embracing perseverance, knowing that it is a key ingredient in the recipe for success. Ultimately, those who cultivate perseverance not only achieve their goals but also inspire others to do the same.

Pamela Anzaldua

High School Teacher

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Education: MA, English, Arizona State University; BA, Spanish, California State University Channel Islands; BA, English,California State University Channel Islands, Minor in Chicano/a Studies

Company Name: Stride/K12

Industry: Education

Company CEO: James J. Rhyu

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA

Number of Employees: 7,800

Your Location: Glendale, AZ

Words you live by: Work hard. Be Kind. Who is your personal hero? My parents

What book(s) are you reading? Mickey7 by Edward Ashton and In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

What was your first job? Froyo shop worker

Favorite charity: Chicanos Por La Causa

Interests/Hobbies: Reading, music, watching movies, attending concerts, playing board games/video games, dancing, singing

Family: My maltipoo: Coco

Teacher of the Year is always giving back to her school and her community

Pamela Anzaldua, a firstgeneration immigrant from Mexico, is a dedicated educator at Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA). Over the past three years, she has shown exceptional commitment to supporting students, families, and colleagues, with a particular focus on Spanishspeaking and newly enrolled students. Her efforts have been recognized, as she was honored as AZVA High School’s “New Teacher of the Year” in 2022.

Anzaldua’s dedication to her profession extends beyond the classroom. She actively participates in Stride Inc.’s Student Advocacy team and Aspiring Leaders cohort, showcasing her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment

to student success. Currently, she leads the electives department at AZVA and volunteers her time as an adult English Language Learners teacher for a nonprofit organization.

In addition to her professional achievements, Anzaldua is deeply passionate about community service. Her commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on those around her is truly commendable.

Anzaldua is a devoted educator who has been teaching at Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) for the past three years. Her dedication goes beyond her students to include her colleagues, families, and particularly newly enrolled and Spanish-speaking students. In 2022, Anzaldua received the New Teacher of the Year award

at AZVA High School.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Anzaldua is an active member of Stride Inc.’s Student Advocacy team, where she supports new students across K12 schools. In 2023, she became a part of Stride Inc.’s Aspiring Leaders cohort, where she further developed her leadership skills. Anzaldua has also played a key role in the Week of Welcome team at AZVA High School, assisting students in transitioning smoothly into each new school year. In 2024, Anzaldua took on the role of site leader during the state testing season.

Anzaldua is dedicated to continuous improvement, always seeking to enhance her skills and knowledge to better serve her school and community.

Paola Stauffer

High School Spanish Teacher

Education: Master, Spanish as a Foreign Language, Valencia International University, Spain; B.Ed, Educational Technology, University of Quindio, Colombia

Company Name: Stride Inc.

Industry: Education Technology

Company CEO: James Rhyu

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA

Number of Employees: 7,599

Your Location: Florida

Words you live by: Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.

Who is your personal hero? Not a hero but a person that I profoundly admire. My best friend Maryuri Hernadez

What book(s) are you reading? Let Them by Mel Robbins

What was your first job? Selling Christmas/Santa hats and writing people’s names with glitter on it. It was fun. I did it for a few Christmas seasons.

Favorite charity: St. Jude

Interests/Hobbies: I love spending time with family, going to the movies, going to Disney, traveling and cruising.

Family: My family is my greatest treasure. This includes my husband, Larry Stauffer, my mother, Dalia, and my brother, Diego.

A lifelong commitment to teaching has brought joy to this Spanish language teacher

Teaching has always been more than just a profession to me—it is a calling that ignites my soul and drives my commitment to making a difference. My journey began when I was just five years old in kindergarten. My boundless energy and enthusiasm led me to finish my work early, often resulting in getting in trouble for bouncing on tables. Even then, I loved playing teacher, guiding my friends with joy and purpose. This early passion for teaching became the foundation of my lifelong career.

As I continued through school, my desire to teach only grew. I attended a high school in Colombia that focused on pedagogy, where I would eventually become a certified teacher upon graduation. At just 16 and a half, I received a special work permit to begin teaching, despite still being a minor. This early start solidified my dedication to the profession and set me on a path that would forever change my life.

The incredible teachers who inspired me throughout my high school were

key in shaping my love for teaching. Their dedication and impact fueled my drive to embark on my own teaching career. I balanced working during the day with evening studies to earn my bachelor’s degree. My passion for my students, many of whom came from disadvantaged backgrounds, only deepened. These children faced significant challenges at home, and I knew it was my responsibility to make school a safe, joyful, and nurturing environment for them. I became more than just an educator—I was a caregiver, a counselor, and at times, a surrogate parent.

Those formative years taught me the true essence of teaching. It’s not just about delivering lessons; it’s about connecting with students on an emotional level, nurturing their growth, and helping them realize their full potential. Today, I continue to maintain connections with many of my former students, celebrating their achievements and seeing them grow into successful adults. These enduring relationships are a

testament to the power of teaching and the lasting impact it can have on lives.

As a Spanish language teacher today, I have the privilege of not just teaching a language but a culture. My classroom provides an opportunity for students to explore and embrace diverse cultures, communicate openly, and learn from each other’s backgrounds. A teacher’s role is to recognize the humanity in each student and help bring out their best, contributing to the betterment of society. Even now, I remain close to my past students, sharing in their successes and staying updated on their lives.

If there’s one thing I hope to see change in the world, it’s the understanding that teaching is more than imparting knowledge—it’s about forming deep connections with students, recognizing their potential, and guiding them toward success. Teaching is a sacred responsibility, and I am honored to dedicate my life to it, shaping the future one student at a time.

Inez Azucena Ventura-Jackson

Career Learning Program Coordinator

Company Name: Stride, Inc.

Industry: Career and Technical Education

Company CEO: James J. Rhyu

Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA

Number of Employees: 7,800

Your Location: Houston, TX

Words you live by: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Who is your personal hero? Mi madre, my mom, Azucena “Susie” Ventura What was your first job? Floral design assistant at local florist at age 13

Favorite charity: Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, Supporting Brain Cancer Research and Families

Family: I am the proud daughter of Mexican-born Azucena Flores Ventura and resilient Salvadoran Luis Roberto Ventura. My mother completed middle school in Mexico, while her Texas-born parents were forced to relocate across the border. My father pursued civil engineering studies amidst the Salvadoran civil war, eventually earning an education permit to study in Mexico before immigrating to the US. There, he worked hospital and custodian jobs to support himself. It was at the hospital that he met my mother, who was a medical assistant.

Beyond their careers, my parents were deeply involved in community and church efforts, helping others find jobs, navigate citizenship, and build better lives – living by the principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Their journey of faith and kindness inspired me to carry on this legacy of service, which I hope my daughters and grandson will continue as well.

She helps Hispanic families stride

into the future and get an

outstanding online education

Business and community are deeply interconnected, each thriving when they invest in one another. Strong businesses create jobs, drive economic growth, and provide essential goods and services, while engaged communities offer a dedicated workforce, customer base, and long-term sustainability. The most successful businesses recognize that their impact extends beyond profit margins—they serve as pillars of support, innovation, and change within their communities.

At the heart of this connection is shared values. When businesses engage with their communities through mentorship, workforce development, and partnerships, they create opportunities that drive both economic growth and social well-being. By investing in education, companies build a skilled workforce and support local prosperity.

A key driver of this progress is the transformation of education through online learning. Digital education has

redefined accessibility, making highquality learning opportunities available to students regardless of geographic, socioeconomic, or personal circumstances. In my work within Career and Technical Education (CTE), I’ve witnessedhow virtual learning empowers students by offering flexible, skills-based programs that prepare them for the workforce. Businesses that partner with online schools can help shape the next generation of professionals, ensuring students receive the training, mentorship, and real-world experience needed to succeed.

This has been my guiding outlook throughout my career—helping others succeed by first empowering. I’ve always believed that when we help a parent understand our program, its benefits, and the resources available, we unlock the student’s potential. When students thrive, they are not only encouraged to pursue their goals but also equipped to contribute meaningfully to their

communities. This ripple effect of growth and support extends beyond the individual. By helping one family thrive, we inspire and uplift others, creating lasting change, which I’ve witnessed time and time again.

When I joined Stride, there were few resources for Spanish-speaking families. In Texas, I took the initiative to create “how-to” videos guiding Hispanic parents on supporting their students and navigating our online program. By empowering parents, we fostered more positive educational experiences for entire families. Today, our school has made strides in removing language barriers and strengthening diverse communities. Online education bridges gaps, removing geographical limitations and offering tailored, culturally inclusive curriculum. As businesses look to the future, supporting digital career and technical education will be essential to developing a diverse, well-prepared workforce.

Gus Ortega

Head of Operational & Nonfinancial Risk Management

Education: MBA, Saint Peter’s University; BS, New Jersey City University

Company Name: Transamerica

Industry: Insurance

Company CEO: Will Fuller

Company Headquarters Location: Cedar Rapids, IA

Number of Employees: 8,500

Your Location: New York, NY

Words you live by: Say what you do and do what you say you do

Who is your personal hero? My mother, a visionary, hard worker and a role model

What book(s) are you reading? I am not reading one at the moment

What was your first job? Usher at a theater

Favorite charity: Junior Achievement

Interests/Hobbies: Travel and sports

Family: Family is first, especially my two kids, Ian and Sofia, who keep my wife and I very busy.

The key to success: Stay true to yourself, expand your network and

always stay relevant

I began my career with a goal to focus on financial markets and later found passion for risk management. I firmly believe that anyone can achieve their goals with patience, discipline, and conviction. Today, Latinos are in a position of strength, not only in terms of population but also in education, skills, and work ethic. These attributes make us highly sought after by all industries.

Reflecting on my early career, I recognize that the majority of my colleagues were not Latinos. This did not pose an issue for me, and I never perceived myself as an outsider. However, I was aware of the privilege of being part of such a distinguished group of professionals working at a bank on Wall Street. Upon reflection, several key elements contributed to my success: diligent work, making challenging decisions, learning from mistakes, and most importantly, finding a trustworthy mentor.

To the next generation, my advice is to avoid complacency. The work environment is constantly evolving, and it is

essential to stay relevant, understand the dynamics of change, and focus on the value you bring to your field. If you are not feeling challenged, it is time to seek new opportunities – continuous learning is crucial.

One trait that has been fundamental to my success is staying true to myself while creating value and helping those around me feel empowered. Teamwork is indispensable in today’s world, and embracing it is vital. My career has spanned investment banking, wealth management, and now insurance. Each industry segment is unique, but there are commonalities, and leveraging transferable skills is important. My experience in risk management across these sectors and multinational companies is a testament to this.

Networking has been a cornerstone of my career development. Building and maintaining professional relationships have opened doors to new opportunities, provided valuable insights, and offered support during challenging times.

Networking is not just about making connections; it’s about creating a community of professionals who can learn from and support each other. It has allowed me to stay informed about industry trends, gain different perspectives, and continuously grow both personally and professionally.

Cultural identity has also played a significant role in my career. Embracing my Latino heritage has given me a unique perspective and resilience. It has taught me the importance of community, collaboration, and perseverance. These values have been instrumental in my professional journey and have helped me navigate the complexities of the corporate world.

In summary, my career journey has been shaped by hard work, continuous learning, and networking. These elements have not only contributed to my professional success but have also enriched my personal growth. The future is bright, and with determination and resilience, we can achieve our goals and inspire the next generation to do the same.

Ashanti Mieres

Director Mexico Marketing and Sales

Education: BA, Economics, Autonomous Institute of Technology Mexico (ITAM)

Company Name: Union Pacific Railroad

Industry: Transportation

Company CEO: Jim Vena

Company Headquarters Location: Omaha, NE

Number of Employees: 32K+

Your Location: Mexico City

Words you live by: Cultivate presence and gratitude, serve a higher purpose, expand your consciousness and be kind to yourself and others

Who is your personal hero? Julia Cameron

What book(s) are you reading? Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming by Howard Rheingold, Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui and A Course in Miracles by Alan Cohen

What was your first job? Intern in finance at Essity

Favorite charity: Save the Children

Interests/Hobbies: Meditation, dancing, psychology

Family: Husband Eric and our two dogs, Jalea and Mole

It’s easy to forget, but we should all serve a higher purpose. It makes us better professionals

I would say a key to my success has been asking myself: “How can I serve a higher purpose?” The answer is not always obvious nor does it remain static over time, but I have found that the mere act of asking opens my perception to the realm of possibility. This exercise has led me to constantly reflect on what more is possible for me, for my company and for the communities we serve. I can then translate my findings into actionable steps within my line of work.

Serving a higher purpose has helped me to connect my role with the overall strategy of the company and the needs we are trying to solve for. It does not matter which

industry you are in, or what role you are performing, I am convinced that each person in an organization contributes to its success (or failure) and the more you are conscious of this contribution, the more likely you are to add value and ultimately succeed because of what you bring to the table. When you align your work to something greater than you, it is easier to tap into your strengths, connect with your creativity, say yes to new challenges and opportunities, and collaborate with others to achieve better results.

In this fast-paced world, fueled by rapid technological advancements and ever-changing consumer and supply chain dynamics, the more

plugged in an individual is to a higher purpose, the easier it is for that person to adapt and change as the situations require. This is true across the board, from entry level professionals to C-suite executives. The earlier you cultivate this mindset in your career, the more sustainable your success will be over time.

While the obvious step is not always to take a minute to reflect on your course of action, I invite you to be intentional and carve daily moments to connect with yourself and this higher purpose. You might be surprised by the new perspectives waiting for you and the new horizons that will open up before you.

Josh Lerner Partner

Education: UC Berkeley Law, Reed College

Company Name: WilmerHale

Industry: Law

Company CEO: Anjan Sahni (Managing Partner)

Company Headquarters Location: Boston, MA and Washington DC

Number of Employees: 1,100 lawyers

Your Location: San Francisco, CA

Words you live by: I have been lucky enough to work with terrific lawyers from the first day of my career, so I “stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Who is your personal hero? Right now, my daughter.

What book(s) are you reading? Trade Secret Case Management Judicial Guide

What was your first job? Low man on a construction crew

Favorite charity: AIDS Legal Referral Panel and BAYCAT

Interests/Hobbies: Running, cycling, and motorcycles

Family: Wife Shana, daughter Ava

Keep your eyes on young smart lawyers. They are the real heroes, according to this mentor

I am of course flattered to receive this award, but it is important to me to observe that I am simply a middle-aged lawyer with a mother from Panama.

I hope that I have been able to provide useful mentoring and advice to younger Latino and Latina lawyers who are law students at UC Berkeley and associates at firms like mine.

But these younger lawyers are the real heroes in my eyes. Their backgrounds, educations, and ambitions are far more impressive than mine, and will enable them to accomplish our most important job as lawyers: connecting with clients who come from every walk of life and figuring out in court, in the boardroom, and elsewhere exactly what clients want and need and how to accomplish and meet those goals and needs.

Their backgrounds, educations, and ambitions are far more impressive than mine, and will enable them to accomplish our most important job as lawyers: connecting with clients who come from every walk of life and figuring out in court, in the boardroom, and elsewhere exactly what clients want and need and how to accomplish and meet those goals and needs.

Where are they now?

For more than two decades, Profiles in Leadership Journal® has been honoring the accomplishments of over 2,000 Women Worth Watching® in our publication. In this issue, we catch up with 20 past award recipients who have made significant strides in their careers, launched their own businesses, embraced new roles, or transitioned into different fields. Like all of our Women Worth Watching® Award winners, these individuals embody dynamic leadership, thrive on challenges, adapt to change, and generously share their insights and wisdom to inspire the next generation of women. Delve into the unique paths that these professionals have taken on their journeys.

Women Wor th Watching® in Leadership INTERNATIONAL

A W ARD

Education: University of Texas at Austin

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices

Industry: Semiconductors

Company CEO: Lisa Su

Women Wor th Watching® in

W ARD

Megan J. Culler Power Engineer and Researcher

Education: MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; BS, Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy, government

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Number of Employees: 5,800

Your Location: El Paso, Texas

Words you live by: “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Denisha S. Bacchus

Personal Philosophy: Treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect.

What book are you reading? Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

What was your first job? City of Albuquerque, Therapeutic Recreation Program: Camp

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, California

Number of Employees: 22,500

Your Location (if different from above): Austin, Texas

Words you live by: Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Personal Philosophy: We are stronger together.

What book are you reading: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Megan Gess PARTNER

What was your first job: Account executive, DDB Worldwide Favorite charity: Planned Parenthood, for their tireless advocacy for women’s

HSG

What Matters Most Is Happy Clients

Ilove being an Merger & Acquisitions lawyer. I get to help my clients achieve their goals, find creative solutions to complex problems, and work with interesting and accomplished people every day. I am hired by founders and entrepre neurs looking to build their businesses and prepare for liquidity transactions. I am honored to be a valued member of their team, and use my skills and experience as an M&A lawyer to navigate success ful transactions. I am challenged and excited to test my knowledge and assist my clients in finding practical and targeted solutions to the various issues that arise over the course of a transaction. And, the best part is that I get to spend my days working with successful founders and entrepreneurs that have spent years passionately building and scaling their businesses. They are truly inspiring!

How my engineer mother and my female mentors showed me that I could combine

who worked full time while raising two children. The example she set for me shattered traditional barriers to entering STEM. I never doubted that a woman could excel in math and science disciplines, pursue their interests, and have a family, all at the same time.

Stop Negotiating Against Yourself

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

Education: MBA, INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France); BS (Applied Mathematics) and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)

Company Name: Honeywell

Industry: Software-Industrial

Company CEO: Darius Adamczyk

Number of Employees: 131,000

TO GLOBAL MARKET CHALLENGES

My clients work in a commercial environment, and my job is to understand both their

female mentors had in pushing me to be who and where I am today. My undergraduate research professor introduced me to the intersection of power systems and cybersecurity,

OHeadquarters Location: Morris Plains, New Jersey

Your Location: Morris Plains, New Jersey

Words you live by: “As God is my witness they’re not going to lick me! I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over I’ll never be hungry again!” – Scarlett O’Hara (

Personal Philosophy: reach beyond the boundaries of your present being. Personal growth comes from making choices with care and then, an unrelenting drive to achieve them.

What book are you reading: indulge in fiction but could not put down Shankari Chandran, a dear friend from Sydney. What was your first job: which I operated for six years with five employees.

Favorite charity: Saint Vincent de Paul (affectionately known to us Australians as Vinnies), was instrumental in helping my family settle when we first arrived in Australia with little but some hopes for a better life.

Never Stop Working Hard, Standing Out, and Reaching Higher

FTEN I HEAR COWORKERS LAMENT ABOUT TUNITIES FOR PROMOTION. The comments great results and, therefore, unquestionable qualifications. the starting point for a conversation on results and career interaction there has been with the hiring manager or those manager feedback. I ask about collaboration and visibility By the time the conversation ends, I have conveyed that matter, it is also how the results are achieved.

Recognizing how I best deliver results and exceed expectations cess. I am thankful that my most memorable lesson occurred

Following my graduation from Yale, I entered a department

My first assignment was working as the jewelry manager. came time for a visit from the chairman, which involved night. I mistakenly assumed that my sales associates would side. When the store closed, however, they clocked out assistant remained. Both she and my boss helped me understand increase my focus on communication, collaboration, and achieve results.

me where I was and

The nature of the lessons has evolved over the years, remained the same: communication, collaboration, and consider it my own responsibility to help people know I deliver. That has placed me in a position to experience tions, propose new roles, and switch industries. In my my mantra is, What makes me unique? Through this question employees respect the

Now that I am more often on the interviewing side of the table, I think about his example often. Some candidates have not gone to the best schools. They may not have any lawyers or other professionals in their families. They may lack the poise and self-assurance that comes from knowing they belong in this profession. That does not mean they don’t belong. If the legal community truly wants to diversify its ranks, then we must constant ly evaluate our own methodologies to correct individual and institutional biases that disadvan tage these candidates. We must consider whether the interviewing techniques we rely on give all applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths. And we must be honest with ourselves and others when we fall short. These are critical first steps towards achieving our diversity and

September/October

Que Thanh Dallara

Where are they now?

Veteran trial lawyer Amy Ruhland has a new home. She recently became a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, known simply as Pillsbury. Last year, Ruhland was a partner at Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP in Texas. Known as a litigator with a record of winning tough multi-million dollar cases, Ruhland urged readers of the magazine to always advocate for themselves, just as they do for their clients.

“I always come prepared with the data to back up a demand,” she said.

Amy L. Ruhland Managing Partner, Austin Office

Company Name: Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg LLP

Industry: Legal

Company CEO: Courtland Reichman, Managing Partner

Company Headquarters Location: Five U.S, offices; no headquarters; Silicon Valley, New York, Washington, DC, Austin, and Atlanta

Number of Employees: 45

Your Location (if different from above): Austin, TX

Words you live by: Be compassionate; everyone you meet is fighting their own battles.

Personal Philosophy: Persevere, continue learning, and model what you expect others to be.

What book are you reading? Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham

What was your first job? Hostess at Pappasito’s in Houston, Texas

Favorite charity: The Center for Child Protection in Austin, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse through advocacy, education, and community support

Interests: French wine (enthusiast and collector), culinary arts, travel

Family: Husband with a shared passion for food and wine and two teenage children (a senior and a freshman in high school)

Want to crack the glass ceiling? Tell your company what you want – and then work hard to get it

The glass ceiling is still a real and pressing issue for women in law firms, particularly when it comes to equity partnership and pay. While we’ve made strides toward gender equality, the reality is that women are still underrepresented in top positions and at the top of the pay scale.

From my vantage point, we often find ourselves relying on male allies to help us move up the ranks. This reliance highlights a deeper cultural challenge within our industry that we need to address. Add to that the fact that women, on the whole, are still paid less than men, and it’s obvious that we have some work to do.

So, what can we do to shatter this glass ceiling?

First and foremost, we need to advocate for ourselves.

Consistency in self-advocacy is crucial. I tell all the young women lawyers that I work with to make their goals known early, whether it’s aiming for partnership or other important career opportunities. Clearly communicating aspirations can set the stage for a future career path.

I also always advise young lawyers to take any setbacks along the way as a personal challenge to tackle and overcome.

On that note, let me share a personal story. As

a senior associate, I moved to a new firm right as the 2008 financial crisis was unfolding. In light of the unsteady market, the firm adopted a new policy for lateral hires: no elevation within three years for newcomers. It was a blanket rule. Nevertheless, by bringing in business and advocating for myself, I was able to break through that barrier and earn the title of counsel before the three years were up. And on the three-year anniversary of making the move, I was elevated to partner.

I have continued advocating for myself as a partner, first in Big Law and now at a trial boutique. I am a tough negotiator and always come prepared with the data to back up a demand. I always advise coming to the table prepared and with clear evidence of past and anticipated future contributions to make the strongest possible case for fair pay.

Breaking through the glass ceiling involves being assertive, strategic, and ready to challenge the norms. By persistently advocating for our worth and career goals, we can navigate these institutional barriers. It’s not always easy, but with determination and support from allies—both male and female—we can pave the way to leadership and equity in the legal world.

Where are they now?

Megan J. Culler Power Engineer

and Researcher

Education: MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; BS, Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University

Company Name: Idaho National Laboratory

Industry: Energy, government

Company CEO: Dr. John Wagner

Company Headquarters Location: Idaho Falls, ID Number of Employees: 5,800

Your Location: El Paso, Texas

Words you live by: “I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Personal Philosophy: Treat everyone with kindness, dignity, and respect. What book are you reading? Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

What was your first job? City of Albuquerque, Therapeutic Recreation Program: Camp counselor for children with and without disabilities

Favorite charity: The Arc, Freedom Service Dogs of America

Interests: Hiking, board games, dog sports

Family: Supportive husband, sister, parents, and extended family!

How my engineer mother and my female mentors showed me that I could combine work and family

For me, “having it all” was never off the table. My mom is a successful aerospace engineer who worked full time while raising two children. The example she set for me shattered traditional barriers to entering STEM. I never doubted that a woman could excel in math and science disciplines, pursue their interests, and have a family, all at the same time.

As I developed, both personally and professionally, I recognized the impact that many female mentors had in pushing me to be who and where I am today. My undergraduate research professor introduced me to the intersection of power systems and cybersecurity, sparking an interest that I have pursued ever since. My first manager at INL impressed me with her confident leadership and ability to find tasks where I could learn and be successful, growing my confidence and my expertise. Other formal mentorship programs have paired me with women who have taught me about career development, education paths, and work-life balance. Having this guidance has helped me make important life decisions. I strongly believe these women have played a significant role in my journey, and that the role of female mentors overall is critical to career development for women. These women have encouraged, mentored, inspired, and challenged me. As role models, they have shown me more possibilities than I ever could have dreamed for myself. They have inspired me to be creative with my own ambitions. Female role models set an example for what is possible for women. They demonstrate the behaviors and mindsets needed to be successful in a field, and they lift women around them. These impacts are not limited to people I look up to. I also have learned meaningful lessons from peer-to-peer mentoring. Peers serve as confidantes, teammates, and friends, reinforcing that we are not alone in our journeys. I have also had incredible male supervisors, co-workers, and peers along the way. Though their guidance and support has been positive and influential, it cannot replace having someone more aligned with your identity demonstrating what success can look like.

Recognizing the importance of female mentors in my life has encouraged me to engage in formal and informal mentoring, and also to promote visibility of my projects and accomplish ments, hoping that other young engineers find value in my experiences the same way I have from my mentors. I strive and am dedicated to taking ownership of my contributions, recognizing those of others, and leading by example for the next generation of women in engineering.

Megan Culler just started a new position at her old company. Her new title is technical director of Critical Energy Cybersecurity with the Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology at Idaho National Laboratory. The former Idaho National Lab power engineer and researcher said she was influenced by her engineer mother: “Recognizing the importance of female mentors in my life has encouraged me to engage in formal and informal mentoring, and also to promote visibility of my projects and accomplishments,” she wrote in this magazine in 2023.

Where are they now?

Deborah Nations, the former senior director of executive, employee communications at AMD is now corporate vice president, global events for the company. Nations told Profiles in Leadership® that she had a daily habit of openly encouraging women and privately sending them a note of thanks. It was her way of paving her way for young women in the field.

Deborah Nations Sr. Director, Global Communications

Education: University of Texas at Austin

Company Name: Advanced Micro Devices

Industry: Semiconductors

Company CEO: Lisa Su

Company Headquarters Location: Santa Clara, California

Number of Employees: 22,500

Your Location (if different from above): Austin, Texas

Words you live by: Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Personal Philosophy: We are stronger together.

What book are you reading: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

What was your first job: Account executive, DDB Worldwide

Favorite charity: Planned Parenthood, for their tireless advocacy for women’s health

Interests: Travel and generally, anything outdoors (hiking, running, swimming)

Family: Husband, two daughters, beloved Goldendoodle

Paving the Way for My Daughters

Many thanks to Profiles in Diversity Journal for honoring me with this award. As a woman working in the technology field who is raising two fiercely independent daughters, I’m grateful to be recognized in this way.

I sought out the technology field as my career choice for two reasons: 1) it’s highly interesting and 2) it’s incredibly challenging. I have always found the “hard” topics to be the most engaging. Technology provides a daily challenge with its fast pace and constantly evolving products to discover and decipher.

It has always been front of mind for me that I have a responsibility to further the impact of women in technology. We’ve come a long way, but technology is still a male-dominated field and women have to work hard to earn their place at the table. I come from a long line of working women, and I am committed to continuing to pave a path for my daughters. We are who we are because of the hard work of the people who came before us, and I believe we have a responsibility to further the progress for the future.

Women have historically made incredible forward progress when they work together. We are masters at driving change by joining forces and having each other’s backs. The same philosophy holds true in the business world. As our world becomes increasingly divided, it’s important to remember that we are much stronger together. To that end, there are a few thoughts that I keep in mind:

• Build your tribe. Whether it’s a mentor to help you manage difficult circumstances, family to support you as you navigate life, or friends to call at the end of a long day, it’s critical to surround yourself with people who care about you and your success. No one does this alone, and none of us should feel afraid to ask for help.

• Support one another. Support other women to ensure their voices and ideas are heard and recognized. Celebrate and amplify other women’s accomplishments. Openly encourage women to go for it, or privately send them a note of thanks or encouragement. I try to make this a daily habit.

• Give back. Mentor, advocate for, and create opportunities for the women around you. I am so grateful for those who have coached, counseled, or inspired me to do more and be better, starting with my grandmother and mother, and continuing with some incredible women in the workforce. It does not matter where you are in your career; there is someone who needs your help and advocacy. Find that person and make a difference.

It’s my privilege to work in the field of technology, to help further the progress of women in this space, and to continue to pave the way for my daughters.

Sarah Chavarria President

Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas at El Paso

Company Name: Delta Dental of California and Affiliates

Industry: Health care

Company CEO: Mike Castro

Company Headquarters Location: San Francisco, California

Number of Employees: 5,000

Words you live by: Be your own storyteller. If you allow someone else to tell your story, you take the risk of them driving your narrative in a way that may not be accurate and not authentic to your true self.

Personal Philosophy: If I have a question about what I need to prioritize, I always fast-forward to my 95-year-old self and ask, “What would she want me to do?” That has helped me remember what’s important and find balance in my career and personal life. What book are you reading: Appetite for America by Stephen Fried

What was your first job: Civilian trainer for the U.S. Army

Favorite charity: The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation of San Francisco, which provides aid for HIV services, hunger programs, and support for homeless and disenfranchised youth and seniors

Interests: I am a die-hard Westerns fan. I love The Big Valley and Bonanza. I have toured every ghost town in the Southwest.

Family: Husband, 3 children, and 4 dogs

Supporting Future Female Leaders and Embracing Each Other

In my more than 25-year career, there’s always been some level of deliberation about women’s performance in leadership positions. While we have made immense strides and demonstrated remarkable achievements, challenges and barriers remain. Bias, whether conscious or unconscious, still exists.

As leaders of our organizations, we have a big opportunity to create a supportive and inclusive environment for our female workforce and engage our future female leaders.

One of my first jobs was a unique and challenging role. I was a civilian trainer for the U.S. Army, where I was pushed out of my comfort zone and worked predominantly in a male-dominated field. I had to learn quickly and adapt and earn the respect of male soldiers. It was a jumping-off point to a career path where I have been fortunate to be treated with respect and professionalism. But, I have also faced adversity, held many difficult conversations, and navigated tough situations. All of these experiences have shaped my leadership style and career.

One of my greatest inspirations comes from my grandmother, who taught me to truly believe anything is possible. She instilled in me something that I have applied throughout my career—we are all better when we share our stories and take the time to listen and understand each other. With that in mind, here are a

few things I have learned along my career path:

• Don’t be afraid to stand out. A meeting full of men can feel intimidating to many women—whether due to real or perceived bias—and it may feel easier to shy away rather than to speak up. We should always remember to recognize our strengths and feel confident demonstrating our capabilities. When we do that, we make real contributions to our organizations and to our own sense of well-being.

• Lend your credibility. As female leaders, executives, and colleagues, one of the best assets we have is the ability to “lend our credibility.” When a good idea is shared in a meeting or during a discussion, showing our support amplifies the value of what is being said and shows that everyone’s voice matters.

• Remember, you are not on your own. Your colleagues, managers, fellow female leaders, and male allies and advocates are all in this together. There is no expectation that you need to know everything—the ability to ask for guidance is a strength, not a weakness.

At Delta Dental, I’m proud of our efforts to create a workplace where we listen to our employees and act intentionally to champion inclusion to take better care of our members, providers, communities, and each other.

Where are they now?

www.diversityjournal.com

Sarah Chavarria, the president of Delta Dental, added CEO to her title at the company last year. A health care professional for more than 25 years, Chavarria said she was inspired by her grandmother who taught her to believe that “we are all better when we share our stories and take the time to listen and understand each other.”

Where are they now?

Denisha S. Bacchus ASSOCIATE

Stop Negotiating Against Yourself

The best advice I ever received was from a professor who—when I was in the depths of impostor syndrome and self-doubt, and considering withdrawing my application to a coveted clerkship—demanded that I stop negotiating against myself. People who find you unqualified will happily say no to you throughout your life, he explained; you should never take yourself out of the running by doing it for them. I found the idea of a fully preventable rejection terrifying and embarrassing. But he had never steered me wrong before. So, I sucked it up, attended the interview, and got the clerkship.

That professor has since become a mentor and friend. And I revisit his advice every time I’m faced with a challenge I’m inclined to shrink away from, an assignment I feel I’m too junior to take on, or an adversary who has more experience than I do. I remind myself that negotiating against myself only gives others an advantage. I remind myself that my colleagues, my bosses, or even something ethereal will tell me no when I stretch too far—so in the meanwhile, I might as well tell myself yes.

I try to pass this advice along as often as possible, especially to women—particularly black women and other women of color. There are innumerable sex- and race-based biases in the

legal profession, ranging from expectations about who can dominate a courtroom (and what form that domination must take) to what the beauty industry says it means to look like a professional. And I would never diminish the role those factors play in professional success.

But among the things we can control are our own internalized biases—the way we discount ourselves before the race starts, while certain of our counterparts step up without ever questioning their qualifications. So just DO the thing. If you fail, you fail. (It happens to all of us, and in the grand scheme of things, I promise it won’t be nearly as devastating as you fear.) But if you say no, you never even get a shot at success.

When you do step up, do it in a way that feels authentic. You don’t have to mirror macho stereotypes to be successful. That part is easier said than done, but try to remember: being nice and cracking jokes can be more effective than being sour and combative, just like being cautious can pay off in ways that raising your hand to speak first won’t. If your work and leadership style are disarming to others, then so be it. Being authentic will just make it easier for someone coming up behind you. And it’ll make your success that much sweeter.

Denisha Bacchus is now litigation counsel at Google after a stint as an associate at Holwell Shuster & Goldberg. Bacchus said the best career advice came from a professor who found out that she was going to withdraw her application for a clerkship because she felt she wasn’t qualified. He told her “to stop negotiating” against herself and to never take yourself out of the running. She aced the interview and got the job.

Where are they now?

Megan Gess is a partner at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth. The magazine honored her when she was a partner at Haynes and Boone. The best part of her job, she told the magazine, was working with clients who were founders and entrepreneurs building their own companies.

Megan Gess PARTNER

I get to help my clients achieve their goals, find creative solutions to complex problems, and work with interesting and accomplished people every day.

What Matters Most Is Happy Clients

Ilove being an Merger & Acquisitions lawyer. I get to help my clients achieve their goals, find creative solutions to complex problems, and work with interesting and accomplished people every day. I am hired by founders and entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses and prepare for liquidity transactions. I am honored to be a valued member of their team, and use my skills and experience as an M&A lawyer to navigate successful transactions. I am challenged and excited to test my knowledge and assist my clients in finding practical and targeted solutions to the various issues that arise over the course of a transaction. And, the best part is that I get to spend my days working with successful founders and entrepreneurs that have spent years passionately building and scaling their businesses. They are truly inspiring!

My clients work in a commercial environment, and my job is to understand both their pain points

and their end game, and then to give advice regarding the risks involved and possible solutions. I could never do my job well without a team of outstanding colleagues and the support of my family. My family grounds me and gives me perspective that I use daily in my conversations with clients and my negotiations with opposing counsel. What matters to me most is having happy clients at the end of a transaction. Here is a recent testimonial from a client:

“It was an absolute pleasure working with you. We could not have dreamed of a better partner to navigate through this energy-intensive process. Your team, in general, and you in particular, have been nothing short of amazing. Not only did you consistently demonstrate sharp expertise on the legal front, it also felt like you always had our best interests at heart—two key factors to power through in such a high-stakes context.”

cum laude, Loyola Law School,

Natalie, and Lily; and sons, James and John

HSG

Meredith Nelson ASSOCIATE

It Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Belong

Ispent most of my first year of law school convinced I did not belong there. My peers seemed worldly and well-connected. I had spent little time outside of my hometown in Oklahoma and was still trying to master the basics of surviving in New York City. When the time came for my school’s on-campus interviewing event for law firm jobs, I was terrified that all of my interviewers would immediately know I was an outsider.

After a long day of meeting with attorneys from various firms, I walked into one of my last interviews—with a firm I was certain was out of my league. Nervous and flustered, I sat down in the chair facing my interviewer and the first words out of my mouth were, “I’m not sure I really have the grades for this firm.” My interviewer looked at me, puzzled, then picked up my transcript and scanned it while I sat in quiet embarrassment. “Well,” he said, “you do. Never go into an interview and say you don’t think you’re qualified. Would you like to start again?” I said yes, and we continued on. Later that day, I received a voicemail from him telling me that—despite my efforts to convince him otherwise—he wanted to invite me back for a second round of interviews.

The advice my interviewer gave me was valuable, and his reassurance was appreciated. But his

example was far more important. After interviewing dozens of candidates that day, he could have easily written me off, noted “not confident” on his evaluation form, and moved on to the next person. Instead, he looked past my interviewing faux pas—recognizing that it was likely the result of my background and not a reflection on my abilities— and put in the effort to meet me where I was and assess me as a whole person.

Now that I am more often on the interviewing side of the table, I think about his example often. Some candidates have not gone to the best schools. They may not have any lawyers or other professionals in their families. They may lack the poise and self-assurance that comes from knowing they belong in this profession. That does not mean they don’t belong. If the legal community truly wants to diversify its ranks, then we must constantly evaluate our own methodologies to correct for individual and institutional biases that disadvantage these candidates. We must consider whether the interviewing techniques we rely on give all applicants the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths. And we must be honest with ourselves and others when we fall short. These are critical first steps towards achieving our diversity and inclusion goals.

Where are they now?

Meredith Nelson became a partner at Selendy Gay this year. She appeared in the magazine as an associate with Holwell Shuster & Goldberg. Nelson, who came from a small town, recalled her lack of confidence during her first law firm interviews. “If the legal community truly wants to diversify its ranks, then we must constantly evaluate our own methodologies to correct for individual and institutional biases that disadvantage these candidates.”

Where are they now?

Chelsea Little continues to climb the ladder at Ares Management where she is currently associate vice president. Her magazine essay highlighted the need to continue to invest in goodness. It “will never fail us, and with that we can change the world.”

"

Chelsea Little

Senior Associate, Human Resources

Education: BFA

Company Name: Ares Management

Industry: Finance

Company CEO: Michael Arougheti

Company Headquarters Location: Los Angeles, California

Number of Employees: 1,400

Words you live by: Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

Personal Philosophy: Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody. What book are you reading: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

What was your first job: I worked at a gym.

Favorite charity: Penny Lane Centers

Interests: Volunteering, shopping, and beach days

Family: … is anyone who loves you unconditionally.

In today’s world, with a global pandemic and social issues coming to a head in our society, instilling a culture of belonging, inclusion, and diversity has never been more important in our work environments.

"

Invest in Goodness

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails” – Henry David Thoreau

This mantra has carried with me throughout my personal and professional life. When you act with kindness, compassion, empathy, courage, and integrity, it will never let you down. As I think about what ignites my professional passion, and what I am most passionate about, they are one in the same. The answer is always helping others and being kind.

When I think about the unusual path, I have taken in order to find my passion in developing a culture of belonging, I realize that needing and wanting to help others is in my DNA. It has been part of my day to

36 Summer 2020

day since I was a small child—from giving all of my Christmas presents away to foster children to feeding the homeless.

I started my career as an executive assistant. It is the nature of this role to help others. In truth, I did not know exactly where the role would take me or what I wanted in my career. As a member of the Human Resources department, I worked on a philanthropy program. I immediately fell in love with the work and the incredible feeling of helping others in the community.

In today’s world, with a global pandemic and social issues coming to a head in our society, instilling a culture of belonging, inclusion, and diversity has never been more im-

portant in our work environments. It has also never been clearer that all organizations need an Inclusion and Diversity department, and an advocate in the Human Resource function, to bridge the gap between I&D councils, employee resource groups, employee giving and philanthropy, education, and mentorship.

This has greatly influenced my career path and has grown my passion to help develop programs and events that will lead to discussions and education, not only within the firm but also in the community.

We have come so far in the I&D space, but we have so far to go. Continuing to invest in goodness will never fail us, and with that we can change the world.

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING® AWARD WINNER

Our Dialogue for Change

“We” (that ever powerful pronoun) are in a relationship together. One that embarks on a new awakening for much of the United States and starts a discussion among the more socially aware with those who are not. You and I are endeavoring to establish new ground rules to communicate in this new reality, and like any relationship the beginning should consist of expectation and level-setting.

I will commit to:

• Trusting you. You can assume positive intent in my words and actions. I will be vulnerable and lean into discomfort on this journey together. I will not practice or play the blame and shame game that is so counterproductive to our dialogue and will only cause a person to shut down.

• Respecting you. In understanding that your reality, and the nuances of that reality, may be multifaceted, I will not tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel. What I will do is hold space for

you and your feelings, genuinely listening when I need to listen. I will respect your privacy and timetable, and know you will share when you are ready.

• Practicing empathy, compassion and support. This may require me to compromise at times and be flexible with my thinking. I will avoid comparing our feelings and pain, as that invalidates your pain or discomfort, causing you to shut down. I can’t have that, because if we want this relationship to work we both need to show up.

• Being present. To be truly present and practice openness, vulnerability is essential. It means embracing those tough feelings of shame and being aware when my defenses kick in so that I can move past them. Relationships include finding common interests. As we continue, I commit to also honoring the differences that make a difference. I cannot empower you to bring all of

yourself and be present if I reduce or redact parts of you.

• Communicating. Let’s build understanding by asking questions, allowing for mistakes, and moving on. I will be open to your curiosity if you are open to mine. I will ask for what I need and set boundaries. Not every topic needs to be open for discussion, especially if it causes you pain. Let’s encourage the best versions of ourselves and promote self-love. No relationship can thrive on insecurities and darkness.

• Being passionate and fun! Not every discussion needs to be a part of a heavier worldly darkness. I need to also focus on the light. Attempts at humor may sometimes be a coping mechanism in uncomfortable situations. I will recognize those as such. I will bring passion for knowledge tempered with grace and good humor.

We are in a relationship, by choice or not. Let’s start our dialogue for change.

35 www.womenworthwatching.com

Heather Hansen is now Culture & Belonging Program Manager with Michael Baker International after a number of years as a global diversity and equity consultant lead at Allstate. Hansen pointed out that all Americans should be in dialogue with each other, using trust and respect as a foundation.

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING® AWARD WINNER

Where are they now?

You can find Dr. Nicole Cooper at United Way Worldwide where she serves as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer & Executive Vice President. Cooper became part of Women Worth Watching® while she was a senior vice president at UnitedHealthcare, one of many executive healthcare positions that she has held over the years. Growing up in inner city Washington DC, Cooper said she was very aware of health disparities in her neighborhood. In her essay, she pledged to “use my voice to continue to advocate regarding the health inequalities that affect me deeply, and I am more committed than ever to drive community impact where it is needed most.”

Dr. Nicole Cooper

Job Title: Vice President, Social Responsibility

Education: Bachelor's degree (Phi Beta Kappa honors), Spelman College; Master of Public Health degree, University of Michigan; Doctor of Public Health degree, Harvard University

Company Name: UnitedHealthcare

Industry: Health care

Company CEO: David Wichmann

Company Headquarters Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota

Number of Employees: 300,000

Words you live by: Mind over matter.

Personal Philosophy: Be authentically you; everyone else is taken. What book are you reading: Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas

What was your first job: Cook in a church daycare center

Favorite charity: United Negro College Fund

Interests: Cooking, taking walks, and traveling

Family: Husband, Jonathan

The Unfinished Fight for Equality

As a child living in a nearly all-black neighborhood in inner-city Washington, DC, I noticed my community, in many ways, was in crisis. Too many people faced sickness, disability, and lack of access to the basic things people need to lead a healthy life. I later learned that what largely ailed my neighborhood were pervasive health inequalities, caused by societal factors that put certain communities at higher risk for disease, stress, and premature death. Simply put, the health of my community was suffering, not because of people’s genetics, but because of their zip code.

As a sophomore attending Spelman College, one of two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for women, I began studying public health issues and reflecting on my own health care experiences. At various points in my childhood, I had been without health insurance, received care at a local community health center, while covered by the Medicaid program, and had seen family members suffer and perish from preventable chronic conditions. It was through that reflection, and my educational experiences, that I first crafted my ambitious professional vision to improve the health of vulnerable U.S. communities and to become a national health care leader.

Today, as vice president of social responsibility at UnitedHealthcare, my passion for improving health care infuses my efforts to lead the redefinition of care access and address the social determinants of health for communities across the country. Through UnitedHealthcare’s Empowering Health commitment, we strive to understand the challenges that exist for local communities, and have launched social-impact programs and initiatives to help transform the way we think about health, so that we fully consider the whole person.

As I look into my future as a black female corporate leader, I gain deep inspiration from the many women I have encountered and watched from afar in my personal and my professional life, who have endured challenges and broken boundaries as they sought to push the possibilities. It will never be lost on me that women of color, in particular, throughout history have been undaunted by the unfinished fight for equality. I plan to use my voice to continue to advocate regarding the health inequalities that affect me deeply, and I am more committed than ever to drive community impact where it is needed most.

Where are they now?

Ilene Jaroslaw, a prominent white collar defense lawyer, is now a founding partner of Elliott Kwok Levine Jaroslaw Neils LLP. At the time of her Women Worth Watching® win, Jaroslaw was serving as a partner with Houet Newman Regal & Kenney, LLP. She wrote years ago that she has come to believe that a “successful career is one that allows you to act with purpose, heart, and excellence, a career in which you work with and learn from colleagues you respect.”

2018

Title: Partner

Education: JD, MS, Georgetown University; AB, Harvard College

Company Name: Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney, LLP

Industry: Law

Company CEO: n/a

Headquarters Location: New York, New York

Number of Employees: 33

Your Location: New York, New York

Words you live by: “You are not obligated to complete the work [of repairing the world], but neither are you free to desist from it.” Pirkei Avot 2:21

Personal Philosophy: “The arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but it doesn’t bend on its own.”

– Barack Obama

What book are you reading: What Would Virginia Woolf Do? And Other Questions I Ask Myself As I Attempt to Age Without Apology by Nina Lorez Collins

What was your first job: Accounting clerk, Gimbels department store

Favorite charity: Southern Poverty Law Center

Finding Purpose and Meaning in the Law

There’s nothing like the rush that comes with a jury’s verdict. Months of document review, motion practice, witness preparation all come into sharp focus in a single moment. That’s the thrill that made me a litigator, and that’s what keeps me practicing.

I got bitten by the trial bug as a first-year associate at a big New York law firm, where all the glamorous aspects of litigation seemed to be handled by men. When I wasn’t conducting legal research and writing client briefs, I took on as many pro bono cases as I could— whether as a legal guardian for a foster child, an advocate for a battered woman, or on behalf of a tenant battling uninhabitable conditions. These were my clients, and I fought hard for them from the start.

I still remember my first jury selection in housing court, and the opening statement I gave after rehearsing it for every family member I could. That’s when I got

30 Summer 2018

that first rush. Moments after I sat down, opposing counsel got up to give his opening, or so I thought. Instead he asked the judge to excuse the jury, and then signed the settlement agreement he had turned down before trial.

A year later, at the age of 27, I was sworn in as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. A year after that, I had six jury trials and six guilty verdicts— and six appellate arguments and six affirmances—under my belt. I loved the drama of trial—the chance to write, direct, and choreograph the presentation of evidence, the thrill of cross-examination, the making sense of it all for the jury.

I spent 23 years as a federal prosecutor and, after that, used my legal tool kit at a not-for-profit organization, where I represented medical professionals who, by virtue of providing the full range of reproductive health care to women, were under siege by state lawmakers. I battled, and beat, the

states of Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Tennessee, enjoining them from enforcing unconstitutional restrictions on women’s access to care.

Today, at Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney, a women-owned New York litigation boutique, I litigate on behalf of businesses and individuals to protect their rights and interests in commercial disputes, internal investigations, and criminal prosecutions. I care just as much about my clients today as I did when I first started my career, and I will always fight hard to get them the best results.

People sometimes try to define career success. Having practiced law for three decades, my perspective has shifted over time. A successful career is one that allows you to act with purpose, heart, and excellence.

A career in which you work with and learn from colleagues you respect. I am grateful for the mentors who have guided me, my children for whom I want to set an example, and my husband whose love, support, and humor has made it all possible.

Ilene Jaroslaw

Stephanie Dismore

Charting a Course for the Future

It’s a great time to be a woman in business. While it’s far from perfect, I’m proud to be one of 75 million women in the U.S. civilian labor force, and one of the 70 percent of mothers with children under 18 who work. We are collectively gaining momentum, we are reinventing mindsets, and we have an opportunity like never before to impact change, level the playing field, and chart a course for the future.

As one of few female executives in the male-dominated technology industry, I’m sometimes the only woman in the room, and over time I’ve learned that being a woman in business represents an opportunity, not an obstacle. I don’t have to be a man or pretend to be like one; I just need to be my authentic self and

focus on what I have to offer. As women, each of us brings a unique, valuable perspective to business, and we should use our differences as strengths to set us apart and lead with authenticity and passion.

This is a mindset I have always tried to maintain in my own career, and I believe it has helped me stay focused and keep a line of sight toward my goals. So, when I’m asked how I achieved success and what advice I have for women who are starting out or building their careers, my answer is simple: Do what you love. Be who you are, and own your experience. From who you are as a person, to the expertise you’ve developed in your career, to your successes and failures—own all of it, embrace all of it, and let it work for

you. Each of us has strengths and weaknesses. Identify your strengths, and operate within them. When you do, you will have a natural passion to win and succeed that will set you apart and allow you to shine.

And as more women advance to become tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, and influencers, we must also remain advocates for each other. We must each do our part to mitigate bias and support the advancement of women in business. And while there is still much work to be done, I’m energized by the progress we’re making in narrowing the gender gap and promoting greater diversity, and I’m optimistic that future generations of women will live and work in a more fairly represented and inclusive world.

Where are they now?

Stephanie Dismore’s latest title is senior vice president of EMEA Regional Sales (Europe, Middle East and Africa) for AMD after a long executive career at HP. Being one of the few women in a male dominated field can be an advantage, she wrote in her Profile essay: “I don’t have to be a man or pretend to be like one; I just need to be my authentic self and focus on what I have to offer.”

Que Thanh Dallara is currently Medtronic EVP/President after serving as vice president and chief commercial officer for Honeywell and president and CEO of Honeywell Connected. Dallara urged readers in her Profile essay to refrain from doing the same job they have always done “because every new opportunity is an uncharted ocean, just waiting to be explored. It’s time to put your name on the map” – as she has done.

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

Education: MBA, INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France); BS (Applied Mathematics) and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia)

Company Name: Honeywell

Industry: Software-Industrial

Company CEO: Darius Adamczyk

Headquarters Location: Morris Plains, New Jersey

Number of Employees: 131,000

Your Location: Morris Plains, New Jersey

Words you live by: “As God is my witness they’re not going to lick me! I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over I’ll never be hungry again!” – Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind)

Personal Philosophy: The search for meaning requires you to reach beyond the boundaries of your present being. Personal growth comes from making choices with care and then, an unrelenting drive to achieve them.

What book are you reading: I don’t often get the time to indulge in fiction but could not put down The Barrier by Shankari Chandran, a dear friend from Sydney.

What was your first job: My own tutoring business at age 16, which I operated for six years with five employees.

Favorite charity: The Catholic Church, specifically the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (affectionately known to us Australians as Vinnies), was instrumental in helping my family settle when we first arrived in Australia with little but some hopes for a better life.

Never Stop Working Hard, Standing Out, and Reaching Higher

T69 www.womenworthwatching.com Where are they now?

here isn’t a day that goes by where I am not amazed by where life has led me. From humble beginnings as a five-year-old refugee from Vietnam, lost at sea, I am now, as chief commercial officer at Honeywell, navigating the way for a company with a proud industrial heritage to explore new horizons as a growing software leader.

Many might feel hemmed in by their difficult circumstances. Life can be full of unexpected obstacles. Whatever your background, by meeting these challenges head on, you might be surprised by what you can achieve.

With a fresh start in Australia, my parents, whose once middle-class life in Vietnam had erupted into chaos, slowly made their way back through sheer hard work. I found that limits

are only those you set yourself, no matter what your setbacks.

The recipe is simple:

First, hard work is key. There’s no replacement for putting in those hard hours daily towards competence in your field. Talent can take you only so far—it’s hard work that can take you as far as you want to go. Cutting corners means you’ll only be cheating yourself. And when you encounter those rough seas, never give up.

Second, make yourself remarkable. Find an area in which you’ll be distinctive. If you work hard at only doing what everyone else is doing, it’s harder for you to show where you can provide unique value in your work. Find those fresh insights, drawn from your learnings and experiences, and use them not just to identify problems, but to solve them.

Third, don’t get comfortable. Don’t stay in the imaginary safety of a mid-level harbor; instead, lead by taking smart risks. Give your hard-won competence a voice and communicate it to others, even if they disagree. Make an intelligent comment or ask a question in the first fifteen minutes of a discussion and you immediately stand out as someone who is engaged, who cares and can get something done about it. Learn to help others, starting by advocating for yourself. Do negotiate for better opportunities, and use those new challenges to learn and advance your competence.

Above all, take a fresh mindset to every new role. Don’t keep doing the same job you did before, because every new opportunity is an uncharted ocean, just waiting to be explored. It’s time to put your name on the map.

Que Thanh Dallara

2017

Roberta G. Torian

Title: Partner

Company: Reed Smith LLP

Industry: Legal Services

CEO: Alexander Y. Thomas, Global Managing Partner

Employees: 1,700 plus

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, PA

Education: J.D., Boston University; B.A., cum laude, Howard University

Personal philosophy: Treat each day, each assignment as the one that will be used to define your abilities so achieving excellence is a consistent goal. It is also crucial to always treat others fairly and appreciate those who support you, especially family.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN CONQUER A CHALLENGE, EVEN ONE FOR WHICH YOU MAY NOT FEEL PERFECTLY PREPARED, BUT FOR WHICH YOU HAVE THE PASSION AND DRIVE, THAT WILL BE THE DIFFERENTIATOR IN ACHIEVING SUCCESS.

Roberta Torian, a partner at Reed Smith in Philadelphia, is one of the most experienced bank regulatory and consumer compliance lawyers in the United States. After having held senior roles at several prestigious financial institutions for many years, Torian joined Reed Smith in 2009, where she set about building a very successful practice within a large law firm. She refined her expertise, developed many new clients and soon became a member the firm’s executive committee.

One of Torian’s greatest achievements at Reed Smith was leading the representation of Avis Budget Group, the world’s thirdlargest car rental agency. Because of her efforts, Reed Smith was one of only seven firms to be appointed by Avis to its first-ever approved law firm panel.

~

ROBERTA G. TORIAN

Torian chairs the Reed Smith African American Affinity Group’s Retention Subcommittee and was named a fellow of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. She chaired the American Bar Association’s Internet Banking/Electronic Delivery Subcommittee and co-chaired its Corporate Governance Subcommittee and Deposit Account Control Agreement Task Force.

As an attorney, she served on the board of Chester County Women’s Commission and was a founding member of the National Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Division Foundation, Philadelphia Chapter. This Chapter was created to raise funds for scholarships for diverse young women pursuing legal careers. She is also a member of The Forum of Executive Women.

“Diversity means being open to and appreciating differences among people,” says Torian. “Inclusion means bringing someone who differs from you into your work experience, onto your team and your projects and treating them as a valued colleague.” She explains that diversity in the workplace enhances the quality of decision making, because sharing differing views will cause everyone to consider a perspective other than his or her own. This leads to better outcomes.

Torian offers professional women this advice: “Understand that selfperception is at the heart of what you can achieve. If you believe that you can conquer a challenge, even one for which you may not feel perfectly prepared, but for which you have the passion and drive, that will be the differentiator in achieving success.”

Where are they now?

Roberta Torian is now a principal with Seneca Global Strategies. The former partner at Reed Smith gained a reputation as a top-notch lawyer in bank regulation and consumer compliance. She urged readers of the Profile to have confidence in themselves. “If you believe that you can conquer a challenge, even one for which you may not feel perfectly prepared, but for which you have the passion and drive, that will be the differentiator in achieving success.”

Where are they now?

This year, Teena Piccione became Secretary and State Chief Information Officer for the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. In 2017, she won the Women Worth Watching® award while she worked at Fidelity Investments. Diversity is the business of every business, she wrote in her magazine profile: “Women drive 70–85% of all consumer purchases. If you do not have a diverse workforce, you will lose business – it’s that simple.”

Teena W. Piccione

Title: Senior Vice President, Information Technology

Company: Fidelity Investments Industry: Financial Services

CEO: Abby Johnson Employees: 50,000 Plus

Headquarters: Boston, MA

Education: Masters, George Washington University

Personal philosophy: The path will not always be easy so strap on boots, start your journey and enjoy the ride every day! We all have the ability to make a difference in society or even where we live, work and play. Our determination and willingness to take the path less traveled is what makes the difference in the lives of others.

Words I live by: Pack your own sunshine and dare to make a difference in the lives of others – after all, you only have 86,400 seconds today.

WOMEN DRIVE 70–85% OF ALL CONSUMER PURCHASES. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, YOU WILL LOSE BUSINESS – IT’S THAT SIMPLE.

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TEENA

W. PICCIONE

Teena Piccione, currently senior vice president of information technology at Fidelity Investments, has held significant leadership roles in a number of service-critical and high-profile positions. She is a leader and professional who is always looking for new, better and innovative approaches.

According to her peers, she is also a personable and approachable colleague, who works well in a collaborative and innovative environment. She is generous with her time and recognizes the value of giving back to both her community and other professionals.

Truly a valuable asset to her team and Fidelity Investments, Piccione is consistently recognized in the

financial and telecommunications industry as best in class. In 2015, she won both a Women of Color award and the Innotech IT Executive Leader of the Year award.

Piccione is committed to giving back to her community. While working as an assistant vice president at AT&T, she volunteered more than 500 hours a year mentoring and teaching middle and high school, as well as college, students. Working with Lamar Middle School in Texas, she designed and developed an innovative approach to math that involved middle school students in building a business. At Southern Methodist University, University of Texas Austin/Dallas and University of North Carolina, she judged graduate Capstone projects.

“Diversity to me is everyone’s personal story and journey,” says Piccione. “Celebrate your diversity, for that is your story. Then, be inclusive of everyone else’s story as well.” When it comes to the importance of diversity to business, she expands, “Women drive 70–85% of all consumer purchases. If you do not have a diverse workforce, you will lose business – it’s that simple.”

For women building careers, Piccione offers this advice, “Be laser focused on what you want to achieve and know your boundaries, limitations and compromises. Say yes to opportunities. Be relevant and bold. Speak up in meetings, but be sure you know the topic better than anyone else in the room. As a woman, you will need to know more, be more adaptable and creative, than anyone else in the room.”

Where are they now?

Company: Reed Smith LLP

Industry: Law

CEO: Sandy Thomas

Employees: More than 1, 700 attorneys worldwide

Headquarters: Global

KIT CHASKIN PARTNER REED SMITH LLP

LEADING THE WAY FOR WOMEN IN THE LEGAL SECTOR

Reed Smith’s Kit Chaskin has developed and implemented some of the most innovative women’s career advancement programs in the legal sector.

In addition, over the past 20 years, Chaskin has achieved recognized results by recovering millions of dollars in covered insurance claims for her clients. She counsels clients around the globe in areas such as risk transfer, risk management, and policy terms.

She is also known as the longtime global director of the Women's Initiative Network at Reed Smith (WINRS) – a global community of lawyers operating as a “Virtual Practice Group” dedicated to enhancing the workplace to more effectively develop, reward, engage, and attract women lawyers. Chaskin said her biggest career leap was when she started directing the initiative. “I learned to lead,” she said.

With her recent move from Reed Smith’s office in Chicago to its London location, Chaskin is

providing new opportunities to expand and strengthen the WINRS network. Moreover, she has made WINRS a business driver connected directly to the law firm’s strategic priorities. As of year-end 2015 in the U.S., women at Reed Smith include:

• 49 percent of associates

• 44 percent of counsel

• 22 percent of equity partners

• 39 percent of all U.S. Committee chairs

• 39 percent of all Executive Committee positions

• 31 percent of the firm’s Compensation and Promotion Committee

She has been instrumental in creating numerous programs, including a Parental Leave Policy and ReturnRS, that provides support for parents before, during, or after a leave.

She spearheads the new Work/Life Balance Policy that moves beyond an accommodation mindset to recognize various categories of flexible

working arrangements. She is also instrumental in PipelineRS, designed for women associates who have been practicing for at least four years and for whom partnership is a goal.

She is a driving force behind numerous accolades the firm has received over the years. Most recently, in 2016, the firm again received top rankings and Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum, for the sixth year in a row. Reed Smith was also recognized as being among the 2016 Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers, was named Equality & Diversity Firm of the Year by In-House Community, was honored for having the Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative at the 2016 HR in Law Awards, and received the Diversity Leader Award, for the second year in a row, from Profiles in Diversity Journal

Chaskin holds a law degree from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and a BS from Northwestern University. PDJ

Kit Chaskin is chief executive officer and co-founder of Hard Stop, an organization dedicated to eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace. Chaskin came to lead this organization after being a partner at Reed Smith for more than a decade where she was a major driver of hiring and promoting women at the law firm. During that time, she won several honors from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum and many other organizations.

Company: Syniverse Industry: Mobile Technology

CEO: Stephen C. Gray

Employees: 2,500+ Headquarters: Tampa, Florida

MARY CLARK CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER SYNIVERSE

ADAPTING TO GLOBAL MARKET CHALLENGES

With 25 years of experience in the mobile technology sector, Mary Clark knows how to adapt to constant change while successfully advancing the use of global insight to better understand consumer desires.

As chief marketing officer for Syniverse, Clark leads product marketing, corporate communications, branding, digital strategy, strategic events, and industry relations. The company connects mobile service providers, ISPs, enterprises, and app providers in nearly 200 countries.

Over the years, Clark has been instrumental in helping operators recognize and successfully adapt to ever-present market challenges, drive revenue, and deliver seamless consumer experiences. She has helped shape the future of the mobile industry by working with service providers and enterprises to adapt to market challenges and is known for successfully bringing teams together to achieve and overcome obstacles.

Earlier this year, she led research across eight countries to measure consumer attitudes toward mobile privacy and how it affects the ability of brands and operators to offer personalized services. The data revealed that the majority of consumers don’t trust brands to safeguard their data, and Clark is working with industry experts to overcome privacy concerns.

As an influential female C-level executive in a male-dominated industry, Clark serves as a role model for the next generation of female talent. She actively shares advice with other women within her networks to help propel their careers. Her colleagues say she is passionate about encouraging women to have the mindset of a business owner and not just a member of the business. When asked about the important qualities of a woman leader, Clark said selfconfidence tops the list.

“The belief that that you can do anything can lead you to accomplish

things out of a sheer force of will,” she said. “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity by not focusing on adversity, but by focusing on doing the job as well as possible. To be successful, women should focus first on getting the job done, whatever it is, and make excellence in their performance their biggest priority.”

As a result of her role in advancing the use of insight to better understand consumer desires, Clark has been widely recognized across the technology sector.

Among her numerous accolades, she was recently named among the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council, identified among Mobile Women to Watch in 2016 by Mobile Marketer, named to the 50 CMOs to Watch by Global Telecoms Business, and recognized among the Most Innovative CMOs in the World by Hot Topics PDJ

Where are they now?

Mary Clark has moved to Numeracle, a software company, where she serves as president and chief operating officer. She became a Women Worth Watching® winner as chief marketing officer at Syniverse. A top leader in the male-dominated field of mobile technology, she wrote that “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity by not focusing on adversity, but by focusing on doing the job as well as possible. To be successful, women should focus first on getting the job done, whatever it is, and make excellence in their performance their biggest priority.”

Where are they now?

After 32 years with 3M where she continually rose through the ranks Dr. Denise Rutherford is now chief technology and innovation officer at Velcro Companies. This award winner wrote that she would do one thing differently in her career “... …start a journal to keep track of all the small things learned along the way. The big stuff is easy to remember because I either cried or celebrated. The little things might be just as important but tend to get lost in the busy-ness of the present.”

Where are they now?

Megan Gomez is senior vice president, general counsel for the Excellus Health Plan, a health insurance company that has found many roles for her in the last 16 years. She told the magazine that her “biggest career leap was switching practice areas seven years into my career and taking on the labor and employment legal work in our organization,” says Gomez. “I learned to listen more, assume nothing, and that opportunity presents itself in unusual ways.”

Megan Gomez, Esq.

This Sr. Legal Counsel Helps Create a Truly Inclusive Workplace at Excellus BCBS …opportunity presents itself in unusual ways.

Megan Gomez is senior legal counsel for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Since joining the company in 2007, Megan has supported many departments within the health plan, including Utilization Management, Credentialing, and Analysis and Recovery. Currently, she works with the company’s medical group and long-term care insurance company. She also serves as attorney for Human Resources across the enterprise, which includes about 6,000 employees, handling issues raised by the HR team, as well as external inquiries from oversight agencies.

In her work with Human Resources, Megan has focused on diversity and inclusion, challenging management

to embrace the idea that diversity is broader than skin color or ethnic background. One recent project she worked on with the Employee Resource Group seeks to achieve greater inclusion of employees experiencing gender transition. The team-based project aims at ensuring companywide support for those individuals.

“I have to say that my biggest career leap was switching practice areas 8 years into my career and taking on the labor and employment legal work in our organization,” says Megan. “I learned to listen more, assume nothing, and that opportunity presents itself in unusual ways.”

After realizing the tremendous benefit of having wonderful mentors throughout her career, Megan is proud

to serve as a mentor to less senior attorneys and others in her department.

“Being a woman in my profession has been made easier by the women who came before me,” she says. “We still have a long way to go to achieve gender equality in the professions, and my predecessors inspire me to continue to fight for it.”

Megan earned her law degree from the University at Buffalo in 2005 and began her career as an attorney in 2006 at Brown & Kelly, LLP, in Buffalo, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies at Binghamton University in just three years and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1999. PDJ

Carter Anne H.

OFTEN I HEAR COWORKERS LAMENT ABOUT MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION. The comments often reference their great results and, therefore, unquestionable qualifications. That becomes the starting point for a conversation on results and career growth. I ask how much interaction there has been with the hiring manager or those who are giving the hiring manager feedback. I ask about collaboration and visibility within the organization. By the time the conversation ends, I have conveyed that it is not only the results that matter, it is also how the results are achieved.

Recognizing how I best deliver results and exceed expectations is a lifelong process. I am thankful that my most memorable lesson occurred early in my career. Following my graduation from Yale, I entered a department store training program. My first assignment was working as the jewelry manager. Within a few months it came time for a visit from the chairman, which involved working well past midnight. I mistakenly assumed that my sales associates would remain and work by my side. When the store closed, however, they clocked out and I was horrified. Only my assistant remained. Both she and my boss helped me understand that I needed to increase my focus on communication, collaboration, and connecting with people to achieve results.

The nature of the lessons has evolved over the years, but the principles have remained the same: communication, collaboration, and connecting with people. I consider it my own responsibility to help people know me—and know the results I deliver. That has placed me in a position to experience multiple business functions, propose new roles, and switch industries. In my role with Alliant Energy, my mantra is, What makes me unique? Through this question I encourage all our employees to identify their uniqueness, respect the uniqueness of others, and recognize shared perspectives and talents—as we achieve results together for the benefit of our customers and the communities we serve.

Working as a diversity and inclusion practitioner has been one of my most gratifying assignments. Much of that gratitude comes from having gained the confidence to be myself; there is tremendous liberty, boldness, and accomplishment in being you. Even better is the alignment I have achieved between my personal and professional priorities. I continue to learn lessons about communication, collaboration, and connecting with people to achieve results.

How has education affected your career? As a music major whose entire career has been in business, I know that education is critical and a major does not determine career path.

Is there a role model who has had a profound impact on your career and/ or life? What did he/she motivate you to do? My mother, who was an accomplished pianist, raised twelve children, graduated from college with a degree in Russian at the age of sixty-two, and made multiple contributions to the community. It’s possible to do it all; only you can establish your priorities and timing.

HEADQUARTERS: Madison, Wisconsin

WEBSITE: www.alliantenergy.com

BUSINESS: Utility

REVENUES: $3.1 billion

EMPLOYEES: 4,000

TITLE:

Director, Diversity and Inclusion

EDUCATION: BA, Yale University

FIRST JOB: Executive trainee at May Department Stores

MY PHILOSOPHY: Be yourself; help others see how you achieve results.

What I’m Reading: The Book of Acts, Bible and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, by Eckhart Tolle

Twitter Handle: @GPannie50fit

Where are they now?

Anne Carter is the first health equity program manager of Linn County Public Health Department in Iowa, after a career as a diversity executive with Alliant Energy. Carter, an Iowa native, is responsible for using data to highlight the health disparity gaps among the city’s residents. “What gives me passion is making sure those voices are heard,” she said in a recent television interview.

WOMEN WORTH WATCHING®

in Leadership Awards

Profiles in Leadership Journal is excited to announce our 24th annual Women Worth Watching® in Leadership Awards. We invite you to join us in recognizing the exceptional women who are making a difference in the workplace and beyond.

These dynamic individuals are using their talents and influence to create positive change in our world.

The impact we’re making today, will be felt for generations to come.