The 10 Most Inspiring Women in Business 2021 March2021

THE 10 MOST INSPIRING

WOMEN WOMEN

Editor’s Desk

Impactfulleadershipistheabilitytobeflexiblewith

SheRisesto Conquer

yourstyleandapproach.Everysinglepersonisunique inhowtheylearn,respond,grow,etc.Youcan’tbe effectiveandimpactfultoeveryoneoftheseindividuals withthesameleadershipstyle.Somepeoplethriveundera moredemocraticstyle,othersneedamorestructured transactionalapproach.Astrongleaderisabletodipinto eachofthesebucketstomeettheirteamwheretheyare whilealsostayingtruetothemselves.

Womeninbusinessshouldespeciallyuseemotional intelligencetolead.Theyusethesameskillsasanygood leader:visionary,strategic,innovative,goodcommunicator, trustworthy,problem-solver,accountable,empathetic, transparent,humble,andresilient.Therearetwotraitsthat womenleadersneedtohaveinordertobeeffective: humilityandinclusiveness.

Whenyouarehumble,youareabletoacknowledgeand recognizeyourmistakes.Whenyoudon'tcenteryourselfin yourleadershiprole,itcreatestrust.Bybeinginclusive,a leaderiscreatingacultureofbelonging-wherepeoplefeel safetobeauthenticandhavetheirvoiceheard.Numerous studieshaveshownthatwhenpeoplefeelliketheyare valued,notonlyaretheymoreengagedintheirwork,but thecompanyexperiencesincreasedproductivityand profitability

Impactfulbusinesswomanleadershipempowersothersand encourageseveryonetobringtheirbest.Animpactful womenleadervaluesbuildingrelationshipsandunderstands howtogrowauthentically.Theyfeelprivilegedtoplaya roleinhelpingothersgrowtheircareers.Aswithgreat privilegecomesgreatresponsibility Theirresponsibility includesidentifyingopportunitiesforteammembersto grow,learn,andbecomeconfidentintheircontributions, andsupportthemalongtheway.

Agreatleadersurroundsthemselveswith “GREATER”people.Accordingly,womenleaderis opentodiversityandinclusivenessinthe organization.Becausetherearestudiesthatconfirm diverseteamsaremostinnovative.Awomenleader knowshowtoauthenticallyleveragediversetalent, backgrounds,andskillsetstodrivebusinessgrowth andempowerherteamtobesuccessful.Particularly inbusiness,whereitisbeinghighlyfocusedon solvingcustomer’sneeds.

Everyleadernomattertheirgendershouldplace integrity,honesty,andclientneedsaheadofany profitmotive.So,womenshoulddemandexcellence andholdeachotheraccountableforsuccess.Women facechallengesinpersonalandbusinesslife,butthe abilitytopersevereisthedifferencebetweensuccess andfailure.

Identifyingthischangeandfocusedonbuildingsuch aculture– Insights Success comesupwithalistof suchwomen-leadersinitsedition-The10Most InspiringWomeninBusiness2021.These businesswomenhavebeenaninspirationtomany andhelpingotherstogrowintheircareers.They havebecometheepitomeofleadershipwiththeir qualitiesandskills.

Featuringthiseditionarebusinesswomenlike RebeccaBaumgartner-Sr.DiversityandInclusion ManageratOgletreeDeakins.Sandrine Desbarbieux-Lloyd-EuropeanVicePresidentof DigitalatSamsung.TahishaPearsonFugate-Sr ManagerDEIClientDevelopment.MichelleDrolet, CEOatTowerwall,Inc,andothers.

Enjoythejourney!

rohit.chaturvedi@insightssuccess.com

AR TICLE

16

MichelleDrolet

A Trusted Professional of Security

Playing Responsible Roles Judiciously MarilynBruno 24

RachaelFerguson

A Proud Ambassador of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization

RebeccaBaumgartner

28 Spearheading A Substantial Change In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

36

SandrineDesbarbieux-lloyd

Epitomizing Procient Leadership

TahishaPearsonFugate 12

40 Improving Diversity and Inclusion in Legal Profession

SME-SMO

Circulation

Business

CompanyName

360Learning 360learning.com

Celemi celemi.com

City&GuildsKineo kineo.com

CommunityShare communityshare.us

CymorgInc cymorg.com

EdcampFoundation edcamp.org

EDSBY edsby.com

Edthena edthena.com

Gamelearn game-learn.com

FeaturedPerson

NicolasHernandez Precident

Brief

360LearningempowersLearningandDevelopmentteamsto drivecultureandgrowththroughCollaborativeLearning.

JayJacobson President Celemi'ssimulationsandcustomsolutionsaredesignedto improvebusinessacumenandimproveyourbottomline.

SteveLowenthal CEO Kineoimprovesperformancein businessbycreatingabetter workplacelearningexperience.

JoshSchachter Founder&director

SriramPadmanabhan President&Founder

HadleyFerguson CEO

CommunityShareisaninitiativethatisre-imagininglearning byrevealing,connectingandsharingthewisdom,passion, storiesand“real-world”expertiseinlocalcommunities.

CymorgisanAIplatformonwhichcontextualanddynamic businesssimulationscanbeconfiguredforanalyzingand developingthedecision-makingbehaviorofcriticalcustomerfacingteamsatscale,thusimprovingbusinessoutcomesforthe organization.

Edcampsarefreepubliceventsthatleveragetheknowledge andexperiencesofattendeesbyallowingeducatorsto collaborativelydeterminetopicsfordiscussionthedayofthe event.

JohnMyers CEO Edsbyisthemostcomprehensivedigitallearninganddata systemavailableforK-12.

iSpringSolutions ispringsolutions.com

AdamGeller CEO

IbrahimJabary CEO

YuryUskov CEO

Edthenawasbornfromon-the-groundexperiencewith challengesaccessingandprovidingtherighttypesofsupportat therighttimes.

Gamelearnwastheworld’sfirstcompanytosellonlineserious gamesforcorporatetraining.

iSpringisagloballeaderincreatingaward-winningsoftware foreLearning.Since2005,iSpringSolutions,Inc.hashelped thousandsofbusinessesworldwidetoadvancetheircorporate trainingandspreadbestbusinesspractices.

Eileen Willett

Giving Women Confidence through Luxurious Clothing

Leadershipisalmostalwaysassociatedwithstrength, force,powerandambition-alltraitsthattranslate easilytothebattlefield,believesEileenWillett,the Co-FounderatCucumberClothing.AccordingtoEileen, theseimportanttraitsshouldbepossessedbyeveryleader, butequallyimportantarethoseofempathy,emotional intelligence,integrity,visionandhumility Thecombination ofallthesetraitstogetherallowsforaroundedleadership, onethatallowsforthestrengthofdissention,resiliencein thefaceofdiscordandultimatelysuccessoftheteamasa whole.

InaninterviewconductedbetweenEileenand Insights Success, heshedslightonherentrepreneurialjourneyand howsheheadedCucumberClothingtoreachwhereitis today

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?

AtCucumber,weareproudforwhatwestandfor,this includesourstrongcommitmenttosustainabilityandour supportforwomenatallstagesoftheirlives.Webelieve thiscanbeseeninourdedicationtocustomerservicethat encompassespersonalfollowupstoallenquiries,aswellas ensuringthattheproductsweofferaretheonesour customerswant.Wedothisthroughconstantattentionto whereoursaleslie,aswellasreachingouttoourwonderful customerbasebyemail,socialmediaandfocusgroups.

Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?

Everybusinessfacesmultiplestumblingblocks,fromthe smallirritationsofanemailbeingbouncedbacktomore seriousonesthataffectcustomersorcashflow Wehave

hadourfairshareofchallengingmoments.Oneofthemost seriouswasourfirstforayintooutsourcingfulfillment.At greatcostwemovedallourstocktoadistantwarehouse andentrustedafulfillmentcompanytosendoutourorders. Withstrictinstructionsastohowtopack,howtolabelto tryandensureaseamlesscontinuationofourfivestar customerserviceweweredismayedandthenhorrifiedto findthatcustomerswerereceivingthewrongitems,double ordersandsomeordersmarked‘shoes’(wedonotmake shoes.)Wequicklymovedbackinhouse,lessonlearned.

Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshouldabusiness leaderpossesstothriveinanygivencompetitive market?

Theworldofbusinesssharessomecharacteristicswiththe worldofacademe.Withagoaltoachieve(readthesis)one ofthekeysupportsistheundertakingofdeepandserious research.Theseinvestigationsmustcovercompetitors,data analytics,newmaterialandmanufacturingtechnology,the latestsocialmediaandonlinetechnologytonamebutafew areas. Akeeninterestinfactsandfiguresisanabsolute essentialforasuccessfulbusinessleader Workingin vacuumisnotrealistic,howeverbrilliantanideamaybe,it hastoresideintherealworld.

Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?

Thebackgroundtobusinessofthelasttwelvemonthshas beenoneofchaosandbewilderment,toputitmildly.No sectorhasbeenuntouchedandfashionandretailhavebeen onawhatfeelslikeahighspeedrollercoasterride.With thisinmindwehavespentmuchofthepastyearfocusing ontheconsolidationandreorganizationofourbusinessto ensurethatastheworldbeginstoopenup,wewillbe ideallyplacedtobenefit.Rightnowwearefocusingour energiesincreatingnewsupplylines,acceleratingthe

‘‘ Cucumber means clothes that give women confidence.

wideningofourroutestomarketand investinginmarketing.Weaimtocontinue increasingourmarketsharenationallyand internationally

Whatisyourideaofimpactful leadership?Whatstyleofleadershipdo youpersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamat CucumberClothing?

Followingonfromleadershiptraitsabove, formepersonally,impactfulleadershipisa troikaledbyinspiration,visionand emotionalintelligence.Aleadermusthave theoriginalvision.Thisiswhateverycog inthebusinessultimatelyisworking towardsachieving.Asuccessfulleader mustalsobeabletoinspirepassionforthis vision,bothwithinthemselvesandtheir team.Finally,abusinessisacommunity Howwetreatandinteractwiththosewithin thatcommunitywillalwaysplayamajor roleinhowthatcommunityfunctions.To beabletolead,tobeabletohaveanimpact asaleader,drawsondeepwellsof emotionalintelligence.Aleadermustbe abletogaugeandunderstandeach employee’sstrengthsandweaknesses.They mustbeabletoutilisetheformerand improvethelatter.Whatisemotional intelligenceotherthanatypeofkindness? Anacknowledgementthatweareall differentandallhavearoletoplay.Atrue leaderisunderstandsthisinstinctively

Whathaveyouenvisionedforyour organization’sfuture,withregardsto yourroleatCucumberClothingandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?

AtCucumberwearekeentoberecognized asabrandleaderinsustainable,luxury leisurewearthatempowerswomen.Quitea mouthful,butwehavebeenploughingall ourenergiesintomakingthishappenand feelwehavecomealongwaysinceour launchonlythreeyearsago.Onapersonal note,Iamverykeentobecomemore involvedinlevelingtheplayingfieldfor thoseofadiversebackgroundenteringthe

start-upworld.Iamafeaturedmemberofi:Entrepreneur,acampaign celebrating,championingandshiningalightonsmallbusinesses foundedbyentrepreneursofdiversebackgrounds;afoundingmember oftheAllbrightDiversityandInclusionCommittee,aswellasa shortlistedcandidateforthe2020AsianWomenofAchievement Awards.Finally,afterayearofglobalturbulence,whatIreallywish forisafutureofpeacewherewecanspendtimewiththosewelove andhugthemonceagain.

The 10 Most Inspiring Women in Business 2021

Thesurvivalofmankinddependsonthreethings:clean water, food, and a livable environment These fundamental needs of every living entity must be sustainably met for all time to come. Food and water contaminated with bacteria and fungi have the potential to destroyhumanhealthandendlifeonEarth.Takingthisthreat straight on, Aequor was founded Aequor is a biotech company that developed new chemicals that kill a broad spectrumofbacteriaandfungi-includingtheantimicrobialresistant(AMR)"Superbugs"forwhichthereisnoothercure. Aequor's lead chemical was also validated as the only nontoxic remedy to remove the bacteria and fungi's protective "biofilm"shieldandinhibitbiofilmformation.Biofilmisthe rootcauseofcontamination,corrosion,infection,anddisease onlandandthemarinefouling(barnacles,mussels,algae)on surfacesincontactwithfreshandsaltwater

TheleadinglightofAequorisMarilynBruno,theCEOofthe company. After three decades in male-dominated careers before joiningAequor, she has been an inspiration to many womentoenterintoanycareeroftheirchoice.ButAequorhas beenarealchallenge.Marilynfindsappallingthatstatistically only2.7%ofwomen-ledbusinessesgetinvestmentfunding.

HighlyEducatedandDiverseExperiences

MarilynBrunohashadseveraltotallydisparatecareers: internationalacademicadministration,finance,trade,law anddiplomacy.First,MarilynwasaSpanishLiterature majoratMountHolyokeCollegeinMassachusettsduring therevolutionary'60s,andheadedtoMadridtodoher Masters'degreewiththeNYUinSpainacademicprogram. AfterearningherM.A.,NYUhiredherasanadministrator

oftheprogram.SheworkedforNYUforthenext10years, growingtheprogramto300studentsand80faculty members,earningherPhDandteachingasAdjunct ProfessorofMedievalto17thCenturyliterature.Sheleft Spainintheearly'80swithherinfantdaughterandbecame astockandcommoditybrokeronWallStreet,VPatabank, andultimatelystartedacomputerizedtradingsystemin collaborationwiththeGeneralElectricInformation ServicesCompany--theonlycompanywithcommercial satelliteaccessatthetime.

AwardWinningEntrepreneur

Marilyn’sproprietarytradingsystem,calledTradetech,was pre-Internet,pre-eBay,pre-Amazonandpre-Wikipediabut ithademail,researchandauctionfeaturesthatsupported over70complexinternationaltradetransactions,asshe pioneeredtheuseofbarterandcountertradetofinanceU.S. exportstocash-strappedcountriesinLatinAmericaand Europe.WhenMarilyntravelledwithherCompaq computer(thefirstportable,20lb.,machine),Customs officialswouldaskherwhyshewastravelingwithher sewingmachine.

Tenyearslater,shereceivedmanyawards,including WomanEntrepreneuroftheYear,featuredin Business Week,appointedtotheU.S.President'sBlueRibbonTask ForceonNationalSecurity,etc.

AfteranunfriendlytakeoverofTradetechbyGE,Marilyn wenttoNewYorkLawSchool,graduatedin2.5years, passedtheBarexamsofNY,NJ,FLandwaswaivedinto theDCBar.Marilynislicensedtoarguebeforethe

MARILYN BRUNO

Playing Responsible Roles Judiciously

MarilynBruno, CEO, Aequor,Inc.

Usingyourwitsand knowingthatyoudon't needtoknow everything-youjust needtoknowwhereto findeverything. “ “

SupremeCourt.ShewasaClerkattheCourtof InternationalTradewhenshewasacceptedintotheU.S. ForeignService.Sheserved16yearsintheDiplomatic CorpsasanEconomicOfficerbothattheStateDepartment inWashington,D.C.andatU.S.Embassiesoverseas, handlingthefoodsecurity,pandemicthreat,and environmentalportfoliosamongothers.Marilynresigned herForeignServiceposttoworkfulltimeasCEOof Aequor-acompanyfoundedbyherdaughter,Cynthia Burzell,nowaPh.D.MarineandMedicalMicrobiologist andthescientistwhomadethebreakthroughdiscoveryof novelchemicalsintheoceanthatkilltheSuperbugs.

ContributingtotheUNHealthGoals

Cynthiadiscoveredanewgenusandseveralnewspeciesof marinemicrobes(shenamedoneafterMarilyn)and extractedtheremarkablenewchemicals.Aequorhasnow patentedover70non-toxic,“green,”eco-friendly,and sustainablechemicals—dispersants,cleaning,antibiofilm, antifouling,antimicrobialagents—andseveralproprietary “green”productscontainingthem.Cynthiaoffersmicrobial andbiofilmtestingservicestothirdpartiestodetermine whethertheantimicrobialsintheirproducts,devices, coatings,etc.areabletokilltheAMRSuperbugs.

AequoristheonlycompanydedicatedtotheUnited Nations(UN)"OneHealth"goalstocontrolpandemic threatsfromtheir3sourcesoftransmission:animals,

humansandtheenvironment(water,food,air,surfaces, etc.).Aequor'sgreenchemicalscanreplacethetoxic biocidesthataccumulateandpersistintheenvironment, triggeringfurtherantimicrobialresistanceandspawning strongerSuperbugs.

AndAequorishelpingtosavetheSpaceprogram.The bacteriaandfungihitchhikinguptotheInternationalSpace Stationwerecontaminatingthewaterreuse/recycling systemusedforlifesupport.Inthemicroandzero-gravity environmentsandexposedtoradiation,thebacteriaand fungiformthickerbiofilmandquicklybecomeresistantto silverandotherantimicrobials.Aftera3-yearpilotproject withNASA,onesingletreatmentofAequor'schemicals removedthebiofilmfromthewatersysteminminutesand remainedactivefor15monthswithoutreplenishment. NASAbecameAequor’sfirstcustomer.

CreatingSustainableSourcesofFood

Aequor'streatmentsweretestedinalgaecultivation systemsandyeastfermentationsystemsconvertingplant residuesintonewproducts.Aequor'streatmentsboosted theproductivityofalgaeandplantbiomassbyupto40% inhalfthetime.Thisbooststheprofitabilityofnew sourcesofbiobased,sustainablesourcesoffood--likethe meatlessburger,yoghurtandicecream.Thesetreatments alsoboosttheprofitabilityofbiofuelstoreplacefossil fuelsandcutCO2emissions.

AllowingSpecialiststoSpecialize

Marilynconsidersthatitisimportantforbusinessleaders tohavevision.Sheadvisestolook10yearsintothe future,identifyneedsandcomebacktothepresentto prepareforthem.Marilynletsthespecialistsspecialize.

CynthialiaiseswithaScientificAdvisoryBoardand MarilynliaiseswithaBusinessAdvisoryBoard.This virtual,capital-efficientmodeliswell-suitedfora companylikeAequor,whereitsproprietarychemicalscan beusedinmultipleverticals.Aequorseekslicenseesto runwiththespinoffs:watertreatments,surfacecleaners, algae/yeastboosters,newdrugcandidates.Ofcourse, Aequorisalwayslookingforinvestors.Intheupcoming years,MarilynseesAequorasa$billioncompany, CynthiareceivingaNobelPrize,andshewritingher book.

MichelleDrolet

Theseareunprecedentedtimes,ascompaniesare

scramblingforbusinesscontinuity,andmillions ofworkersaroundtheworldareforcedtoadapt toaworkplaceculturedubbedastheworld’slargest work-from-homeexperiment.Butthereisasteepprice tobepaidforthischange–weakenedcybersecurity.

MichelleDrolet,CEOatTowerwall,Inc.canhelp identifythesetop-tierrisksandprovideyouwithalistof priorities&recommendationsthatcanboostyouroverall cybersecurityposture.AnInterviewconductedbetween MichelleDroletand Insights Success helpstake actionablestepstoclosethesevulnerabilitiesto safeguardyourbusiness.

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Takeourreadersthroughyourprofessionaljourney untilbeinginaleadershippositionatTowerwall.

BeforefoundingTowerwallin1993,IrantheUS operationofCDGTechnologies,growingtheIT consultingandVARbusinessexponentiallybefore sellingittoapubliccompany.Istayedwiththenew companybutgrewdisenchantedbythedirection,soI decidedtobuybackthecompanyandmakeitmine! Thatwasmyproudestmomentinbusiness.Fornearly30 yearsI’veworkedcloselywithmanySMBs,mid-market, andenterprisecompaniesprovidinghighlyspecialized cybersecuritytechnologyandservices.

Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercome them?

Securityisajourney,notadestination.Keepingupwith thegrowinglistofregulatorymandatesandupcoming dataprivacylawscanbechallenging.Agreatexampleis aclientwhocametoustohelpthemansweraseemingly simpleGRCsecurityquestionnairefromoneoftheir customers.Indoingsowediscoveredtheyneededan entireinformationsecurityinfrastructuretoprotectnot

onlytheirownintellectualpropertybuttheircustomers aswell.Thebigchallengewasgettingaplaninplacein averyshorttimespantoensuretheycouldcontinue doingbusiness.

Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?What styleofleadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatTowerwall?

Iamafirmbelieverinservantleadership.Ourteamis incrediblytalentedandcommittedtonotonlyour professionbuttoourclientsandourcommunity. By servingandempoweringthem“we”areableto effectivelyandefficientlysolveourclient’sinformation securitychallenges. Intheend,ourclientsreceive superiorserviceandresultknowingourteamishighly collaborative.

Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?

Informationsecurityisallwedo.Wearehighlyfocused andspecializedinprotectingourclient’scriticalassets. Wetakegreatprideinbeingourclient’strustedsecurity partnerbyworkingalong-sideinaddressingthedaily challengestheyfaceinsecuringkeydataaswellas keepingthemabreastoftheevolvinglegaland regulatoryrequirements. Webuildsecurityuser awarenessprogramsthattaketheiremployeesfrom “weakestlink”to“strongestasset”,awinning combination.

Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?

Iwouldsayeveryleadernomattertheirgender,should placeintegrity,honesty,andclientneedsaheadofany profitmotive. Ialwayssay “You only have one reputation so honor it”. Soforus,it'seasy,wedemand excellenceandholdeachotheraccountablewhichI attributegreatlytooursuccess.Ilearnedalongtimeago agreatleadersurroundsthemselveswith“GREATER” people.Iamveryblessedtohaveanexceptionalteam.

Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshoulda businessleaderpossesstothriveinanygiven competitivemarket?

Focus,determination,andcompassion.Weallface challengesinourpersonalandbusinesslife(especially intheworldofCOVID),buttheabilitytopersevereis thedifferencebetweensuccessandfailure. Particularly inbusiness,it’sbeinghighlyfocusedonsolvingyour customer’sneeds. AsImentionedbefore,Information Securityiswhatwedosoourentireteamisfocusedon justthat. Theyarehighlyexperiencedandversed,inthe keychallengesCIO,CISO,ISO,andDPO’sface. To cite by example, Towerwall often competes and wins against the “big guys” because our team has a “run through the wall” attitude when we are maturing our customer’s security programs.

Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatTowerwallandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?

Thebadguysaregetting“badder”andwearehelping ourcustomersbuildrepeatableprocessestoprotect themselves.Inadditiontoourcorporateheadquartersin Massachusetts,weoperatethroughoutNorthAmerica andCaribbeancountries.Ourservicesetcontinuesto evolveandadapttochangingmarketconditionsandthe regulatoryframework.Wearegrowingorganicallyas wellasthroughpartnershipstobetterhelpourcustomers. Again,our“runthroughthewall”attitudewilltakeusa longway

“You onlyhave oneREPUTATION so it”HONOR

Stories to Read this

Over the past century, the world has seen many changes related to women role and rights. And through all these changes one thing that has constant: the increasing number of awe-inspiring women from all over the world. This Women’s Day, we want to let you know the stories of some inspirational women from the last century. In these stories we have some feminist portraits, and some of them are known for their iconic work for society- but one thing is common, they all contributed to change the world.

Emmeline Pankhurst

“You must make women count as much as men; you must have an equal standard of morals; and the only way to enforce that is through giving women political power so that you can get that equal moral standard registered in the laws of the country. It is the only way.”

BornonJuly14,1858EmmelinePankhurstworkedfor womansuffrage.Shewastheleaderofthesuffragette movementwhose40-yearcampaignachievedcomplete successandledtothevotebeinggrantedtowomenwho fulfilledthecriteriaofbeingovertheageof30,owned propertyorweremarriedtoamanwhoownedproperty

BeforeherdeathBritishwomenobtainedfullequalityin thevotingfranchise.Emmeline’sdaughterChristabel HarriettePankhurstalsowaswell-knownforher participationinwomansuffragemovement.

Hattie McDaniel

“Every actor/actress is possessed of the absorbing passion to create something distinctive and unique.”

True determination displays the results and Hattie McDaniel is the example of that. She was the first African American actor who break the colour barrier and receive an Oscar for her exceptional portrayal of ‘Mammy’in the movie Gone With The Wind. It is surprising to hear that the hotel where the award ceremony was held had a ‘No Blacks’rule.

Jane Addams

“True peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice.”

Visionaryeyeshavenoboundariesandeverydifficultyfor themisjustapassingmovement.Despitebeingdiagnosed withthecongenitalspinaldefecttodayJaneAddamsis knownas‘Motherofsocialwork’.Forheradvancementof thecauseofpacifism,shereceivedtheNobelPeacePrize. Shewasthefirstwomantoachievethisfeatforpeaceand nonviolence.SheservedaspresidentoftheWomen’s InternationalLeagueforPeaceandFreedomuntil1929and thenashonorarypresidentfortherestofherlife.

Hedy Lamarr

“Confidence is something you’re born with. I know I had loads of it even at the age of 15.”

Thecontributionofwomentowardstheworldisnotlimited toanyspaceandHedyLamarrhadprovenitright.Shewas anactressandscientistaswell.Hernotableworkonaradio guidancesystemandradiocommunicationsdevice contributedtotheadvanceofmoderntechnologieslike BluetoothandWi-Fi.ForHedycontroversieshadbecome partofherlifebutitdidnotchangethefactthatshewasan extraordinarywomanwithbrain.

Queen Elizabeth II

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

FormostofusbeingaKingandQueenwouldbetheeasiest jobtodobutwhatifonehastohandlewholecountryatthe veryagewhenwearejustdreamingaboutthefutureand completingoureducation.QueenElizabethIIwas ascendingtothethroneaged25.Sheislongestruling Britishmonarchandfemaleheadofstatetilldate.Thebest thingonecanlearnfromheristoacceptchangesandmove ahead.

The 10 Most Inspiring Women in Business 2021

RachaelFerguson

Up to 60% of Australians and 70% of Americans experience some form of repetitive

foot pain, and the problem is growing around the world. Committed to make a positive impact, Rachael Ferguson, CEO at SynxBody is helping people to maintain active, healthy and pain-free lives. Her team has developed a 100% natural pain relief cream ‘Synxeaze’ which is set to hit the shelves of Australia around the middle of 2021, with expansion plans into the United States of America on track for 2022.

Rachael says, “As our product range continues to grow, so does our commitment to the biomechanics of your feet, ankles, knees and back. When your foundation is stable and functioning well, you're well on the way to wellness. And that's what we really want, for everybody."

InaninterviewconductedbetweenRachaeland Insights Success, she sharedhercareerasapodiatristincommunity healthandherjourneythroughout.Belowarethehighlights oftheinterview:

Takeourreadersthroughyourprofessionaljourney untilbeinginaleadershippositionatSynxBody.

I’mRachaelFerguson,aninternationalaward-winning podiatristandentrepreneur,authorandkeynotespeaker. I createdSynxBodywithmyco-founderin2011afterwe identifiedagapinthemarketforasliminsolethatfitted intomoreshoes.Weusedourpodiatryexperiencetodesign, developandbringtomarketaninsole,includingasystem forhealthprofessionalstomodifythem.

Wetrademarkedandpatentedourinsoledesignglobally andin2015,appearedonthehitTVshowSharkTankand landedadealwithsharkAndrewBankswhostillremains aninvestortothisday.

Intheearlyyearstherewasagreatdealoftimeawayfrom

ourfamiliesandtimespentoverseas,withmyenergy alwayssplitbetweenleadingtwobusinesses,mypodiatry practiceandSynxBody,beingamotheroftwoyoung childrenandawife.Tryingtomakeeverythingbalancewas provingimpossible.

In2017,myco-founderexitedthebusiness,atwhichtimeI madethedifficultdecisiontowalkawayfrommypodiatrist practiceandleadSynxBodyasCEO. Onreflection,itwas ariskydecision,butIresearchedandstrategizedonwhat wasneededtotakeSynxBodytothenextlevel.

MyworldchangedwhenIengagedabusinesscoach, startedjournaling,meditating,reading,exercisingand eatingbetter.Havingthedisciplinetoshowupat5amevery dayandrepeatthesameroutinewasthekeytounlocking myfullpotential.

Thenin2018,SynxBodyfinallystartedtogrowand becomewildlysuccessfulwithopportunitiesfor internationalgrowthonthehorizon.

‘‘

I believe grit, determination, commitment and self-belief whilst maintaining a caring leadership approach and focus, are the key drivers in such a competitive market.

SinceturningmycompanyaroundIhavewontheGold Stevie®AwardforEntrepreneuroftheYearinAustralia, NewZealandandAsia.Ihavealsowon40Under40,First AmongstEqualsinWesternAustraliaandAusmumpreneur oftheYearinBronze.

Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?

In2018,afterahugeoverhaulinpackaging,Iadded anotherthreebrandsandtennewproductstotheSynxBody range,allwhilstsecuringrangingofourpatentedinsole, SynxsoleinAustralia’sbiggestretailer,Chemist Warehouse.Thiswasaturningpointinthecompanywith moreproductsaddedtotherangeoverthenextthreeyears. Wearealsointhefinalstagesofformulatingnewpain reliefproducts,acreamandoralcapsulesunderournew brandSynxeaze®. Ourgoalistocreate,formulateand bringtomarketAustralianmadeorganicrangeofpainrelief products.

Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?

IamcurrentlyfocusingmyenergiesonournewSynxeaze® painreliefrangeoftopicalandoralproductswhichwillhit theshelvesinAustraliabyJune2021. Iamalsocontinuing toexpandmyotherproductrangesbybringingnew productstothemarketbytheendof2021andexpanding ourproductrangeintheUSA.

Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatSynxBody?

Impactfulleadershipisnotbeingafraidtochallengethe statusquoandstandingupforwhatisright.Ialsobelieve thatexceptionalleaderspaycloseattentiontodetail,stay truetotheirvaluesandneverlosesightoftheneedsoftheir teammembersorcustomers.

Iliketomodelthesebeliefsbydemonstratingcare, compassionandunderstandingtomyteamwhilststillbeing strongandconsideredinmybusinessdecisions.Iconsider mystyleofleadershiptobeamixbetweendemocraticand affiliativeleadershiptypes,encouragingmyteamto contributetoourdecisionsregularly.

Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?

Synxbody’sbiggestchallenge,whichinturnbecame integraltothebusinessgrowthwasrecognizingthe product’spackagingwastoodark,aswellasidentifying therewasaneedforavarietyofproductsforabroader customerbase.So,thepackagingwasredesignedwhilst developingaplanfor3newbrandswith10newproducts, thatIconsideredwouldsolvethemostcommonfoot complaints.

SynxBodygrewfromastrugglingventuretobeingstocked inmajorpharmaciesbyrebrandingandrepackagingthe productrangetostandoutontheshelvesandpivotingour marketingplan.Throughconsistenteffortandhardwork, wearewellonourwaytoexpandingourinternational channels.

NotonlydidIinvestinthebusiness,butmoreimportantly, Iinvestedinmyself.

Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatSynxBodyandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?

SynxBodyisonamissiontoeducatethepubliconthe importanceoffoothealthandtochangethewaypeople thinkaboutpreventativecare.Weaimtoachievethis throughcreatingproductstohelpkeeppeopleontheirfeet andpainfreebecauseyourhealthreallystartsfromthe groundup.

IstriveforSynxBodytobeahouseholdnamearoundthe globeby2025.

Personally,Iamdedicatedtoinspiringwomeninbusiness todreambigger,reachfurtherandbreakdownbarriersto reachtheirfullpotential.

Sr. Diversity and Inclusion Manager

REBECCA BAUMGARTNER

SPEARHEADING A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Abelieverofresilience,adaptability,andflexibility,

RebeccaBaumgartnerisoftheopinionthatif 2020hastaughtusanything,itisthatnothingwill goaccordingtoplan.Onewillhavetopivotonamoment’s notice.Ifyouaresloworresistanttochangeorsetback,you willbeunabletostayrelevantinanytypeofmarket disruption.Inculcatingthesameapproachandtraits, Rebeccahassetanoteworthyinstanceofanimpactful leadership.Currently,sheistheSr.DiversityandInclusion ManageratOgletreeDeakins.

FromWorkingataCasinotoBeinganInclusion Manager

ItookafairlyserpentinepathtowhereIamtoday.Myfirst professionalrolewasinrestaurantmanagementatacasino. Isoakedupeverymorselofknowledgeandexperiencethat Icould.Unfortunately,Ididn’tnecessarilyhavethe guidanceorsupporttoreallyhelpmeunderstandhowto implementthisinformation,howtoactuallybealeaderin myownrightinsteadofmimickingleadershiptraitsof others.Thereweresomepainfultimes,andIbecame dedicatedtoseekoutknowledgeanddevelopmentfor myself.ThemoreIlearned,themoreIrealizedthatIdidn’t actuallyliketheoperationssideofmyjob.Ibecame extremelydisengagedanddidn’tfeellikeIwaswhereIwas

supposedtobe.TheonlyenjoymentIhad,camefrom leadinganddevelopingpeople.Itookadvantageofan opportunitytoassistthecompany’scorporatetraining departmentandbecomeatrainingfacilitatorforthelocal property.Ifeltlikeawholenewworldopenedupforme andIfinallywasabletobemybestselfatwork.Shortly after,Iwashiredintoatrainingandleadershipdevelopment roleatanothercasinocompany

Becauseofthenatureofacasino’soperations,thework forceisextremelydiverse.FromitsEVS/custodialcrewto tabledealerstomarketingprofessionals,thereisavast arrayofdifferenceintermsofethnicity,race, socioeconomicstatus,educationlevel,etc.Inoticedthat therewasnotastrongefforttotakethesedifferencesinto considerationinmydepartment.Ihavealwaysbeen focusedonequitabletreatment,meetingindividualswhere theyareandgivingthemwhattheyneedtosucceedas opposedtoa“one-size-fits-all”approach.Thiswasmyfirst real“a-ha”momentregardinghowhistorically underrepresentedindividualsweregettingleftbehind.

AftermovingintoaHumanResourcesManagerrole,I beganworkingatalawfirmthatwasatthebeginningofits D&Ijourney.Ibecamethestaffleaderoftheattorney inclusionanddiversitycommitteeandwasabletowork

directlyonissueslikeaccesstodevelopmentand advancementfornon-majorityindividualsinaformal capacity.Similartohowbecomingafacilitatorearlierinmy careerfeltlikeanewworld,thiswastrulytransformational. WhenOgletreeDeakinspostedapositionforadiversity andinclusionleader,itfeltlikethestarswerealignedfor me.

MakingaDifference

MostofmyfocusrightnowisonOgletree’sequaljustice taskforcethatthefirmcreatedinresponsetothemurderof GeorgeFloyd,AhmaudArbery,andBreonnaTaylorandthe subsequentcivilunrestthatfollowed.Thebeliefthatwe havearesponsibilityaslegalprofessionalstoadvance justiceledtheformationofODACT(OgletreeDeakinsAct, Change,andTransform).Thegroupfocusesonfourmain areaswherewefeelwecanmakeadifference:Voter Education,InternalPolicyReform,CriminalJusticeReform andProBono,andLocalOfficesupportandeducation. EventhoughitwasonlyformedinJuly2020,thegrouphas alreadymadehugesteps.Weorganizedafirm-wide volunteereffortwheredozensofOgletreelawyersand paralegalsvolunteeredforshiftsstaffingtheLawyers’ CommitteeforCivilRightsUnderLaw’snon-partisan NationalVoterHotlineandservedasPollWatchers.We havealreadycreatedandimplementednewfirmpolicies aroundbillablehourcreditforDEIwork,unlimitedtimeoff forvoting,creatingafirmholidayforJuneteenth,and hostingopenforumsforattorneysandstafftohaveasafe spacetodiscusstheissuesthatareimpactingtheir emotionalandmentalwell-being.Wepartneredwiththe EqualJusticeInitiativeandBryanStephensontoraise almost$100,000forEJIthroughaninternalfundraising campaign.Wearealsoleveragingthefirm’scollectivelabor andemploymentexpertisetoworkwithclientstoprovide employerqualifiedimmunityandtrainingonmatters regardingemploymentforthosewitharrestandconviction records.

Thisisatoppriorityformeandthefirm.Wehavethe abilitytoimpactnotonlyourOgletreefamily,butour clientsandcommunitiesaswell.

BeingFlexibleistheKey

Forme,impactfulleadershipistheabilitytobeflexible withyourstyleandapproach.Everysinglepersonisunique inhowtheylearn,respond,grow,etc.Youcan’tbeeffective andimpactfultoeveryoneoftheseindividualswiththe sameleadershipstyle.Somepeoplethriveunderamore democraticstyle,othersneedamorestructured transactionalapproach.Astrongleaderisabletodipinto eachofthesebucketstomeettheirteamwheretheyare whilealsostayingtruetothemselves.

TherearetwotraitsthatIfeelallleadersneedtohavein ordertobeeffective:humilityandinclusiveness.Whenyou arehumble,youareabletoacknowledgeandrecognize yourmistakes.Whenyoudon'tcenteryourselfinyour leadershiprole,itcreatestrust.Bybeinginclusive,aleader iscreatingacultureofbelonging-wherepeoplefeelsafeto beauthenticandhavetheirvoiceheard.Numerousstudies haveshownthatwhenpeoplefeelliketheyarevalued,not onlyaretheymoreengagedintheirwork,butthecompany experiencesincreasedproductivityandprofitability.

ARoadmapAhead

OgletreehasalwaysbeenaleadingforceinDEIinthelegal industry.Ithinkournewlycreatedequaljusticetaskforce, ODACT,willcontinuetoprovideopportunitiesforfurther growth,development,andinnovation.Generally,lawfirms tendtofocusmostoftheireffortsonlawyers,astheyare revenuegenerating,andfailtobetrulyinclusiveof professionalstaff.Oneofmygoalsmovingforwardisto disruptthishabitatOgletreeandhavemorecohesionand supportaroundstaffdiversityefforts.Ienvisionastructure thatisnotonlyinclusiveofallemployeesatOgletree, wheretheyareinterconnectedandcollaborative,but providesholisticsupportfromethnicity,gender,gender identity,socioeconomicstatus,geography,religion,mental healthandemotionalwellness,andmore.

Iamalwayslookingtogrowanddevelop.Ogletreehas beenextremelysupportiveofanyprofessionaldevelopment orskillstrainingthatIhaveexpressedinterestin.Notonly haveIbeenabletoachievemyCertifiedDiversity Executivecredentials,Iamworkingtowardsacoaching certificationthisyear.Oneofmybiggestgoals,however,is toincreasemyinvolvementherelocallyinKansasCity Therearesomanygreatorganizationsfightingforand workingtowardsracialequityandjusticeinour communities,andIfeelthatIcanhelpmakeanimpact closetohome.

By being inclusive, a leader is creating belonging - where people feel safe have their voice heard.

eating a culture of to be authentic and

Samantha Woodham

Leaders Viewpoint Arcle for Insights Success Magazine

1.TheImpactofCovid-19onDivorces

IamoftenaskedabouttheimpactofCovid-19on therateofdivorceandcouples’attitudeto divorce.Thetruthisthat,asyet,wedonotknow thefullimpact.Ihaveseenstatisticspointingto anupwardstrendbutalsoaloweringofthe divorcerate.Thedecisiontoseparateordivorceis onewhichtakesmonths,andoftenyears,so whilstthepandemicmayhaveactedasan acceleratorforsomecouples,itishugelyunlikely tohavebeenthecauseofarelationshipcomingto anend.

WhatIhaveseeninpracticeisachangein couples’attitudestodivorceandseparation.Ihave beenafamilylawbarristerfor16years,and certainlyinthelast5yearsIhaveseena noticeableshiftinthewayseparatingcouples approachdivorce.Mostdonotwantconflictfor conflict’ssake.Theyrecognisethatsome relationshipshaveashelf-life,andthatdoesnot meanthattheyareafailure,itjustmeansthatthe marriagehasrunitscourse.Increasingly,couples areviewingdivorceasasharedobstacleto navigatetogether Andtheyarequiterighttotake thatview.Ultimately,theonlywaytoachievea fairoutcomeondivorceistoreachanagreement whichyoucanbothlivewithandrecogniseas fair.

About the Author

Samantha Woodham is a family law barrister and co-founder of The Divorce Surgery, a unique service which enables separating couples to share one lawyer who advises them both as to a fair outcome on divorce, for a fixed fee

http://www.thedivorcesurgery. co.uk.

WhenIco-foundedTheDivorceSurgeryin2018,wewere thefirstandonlyregulatedserviceinEnglandandWales enablingseparatingcouplestoshareoneimpartiallawyer, whoadvisesthemboth,together,astowhataCourtwould viewasfairwithregardstothedivisionoftheirfinancesor arrangementsfortheirchildren.Weweredescribedasa ‘disruption’ofthefamilylawmarket.Butwhatwedoisin factthedefaultinmanyotherEuropeanjurisdictions.And thesuccessofourOneCoupleOneLawyermodelcomes fromthefactthatthevastmajorityofseparatingcouplesdo notstarttheirseparationwantinganacrimonious,lengthy andcostlylegalbattle.Theyjustwantanoutcomewhich worksfortheirfamilyandisfaironeveryone.

Ifanything,thepandemichasgivenusallawake-upcallas towhatmattersinlife.Ibelievewearegoingtoneedto workhardtoretainthoseperspectivesaslockdownlifts. Butsomechangesareirreversible.Myhopeisthatoneof thelastingimpactsofCovid-19isforusalltoreflecton why,asasociety,westigmatisedivorce.42%ofmarriages endindivorce.Thatisnotafailure.Itismostlikely inevitablegiventhefactthatpeoplechangeastheygrow older,andcangrowapart.Butifcouplesapproach separationinthesamewaythattheyapproachedmarriage inthefirstplace,withrespect,dignityandasharedsenseof responsibilitytodoitright,butditchtheshameandthe guilt,wecanenableamuchkinder,morepositive experience.

2.EffectiveParentingthroughPandemicandBeyond

Co-parentingisalife-longendeavour.Whetheramarriage lastsordoesn’tisanissuefortheadults,butreallymustbe keptinthatadultdomain.Whenchildrenaredraggedinto theadultdispute,wearedeprivingthemoftheopportunity tobechildren.Noparentstartsaseparationwanting conflict.Butitcanbeverydifficulttoseeeachother’s perspectivesandworktogetherwhenemotionsarerunning high.Whichiswhyprofessionalsupportissocrucial,and theearlierthebetter.

ItmaysurpriseyoutohearthatIdon’tthinkaparent’sfirst portofcallshouldbealawyer.Inmostsituations,parents firstneedtherapeuticratherthanlegalsupport,unlessof courseafamilymemberisinasituationwheretheirsafety isatrisk.Decisionssurroundingtherightarrangementsfor childrenondivorceinvolveamultitudeofdisciplines.Yes, parentswillwanttounderstandthelegallandscape,and shouldreceivespecialistadviceonthis,buttheyalso, crucially,needtolearnhowtobeeffectiveco-parentsliving

apart.Toredefinetheiradultrelationshipintoonewhich supportsboththeadultsandchildreninthemanyyearsof co-parentingahead.Thisiswhy,atTheDivorceSurgery, wehavepioneeredourLivingApartParentingTogether service,whichenablesseparatingparentstosharebotha co-parentingexpertandalawyerwhocan,together,help themnavigatetheseparationwellandreachachild-centred agreementaboutthearrangementsfortheirchildren.

3.TheRoadaheadforCourts,JudiciaryandFamily Law

WeareatanimportantcrossroadsinFamilyJustice.There isagreementacrosstheboardbyFamilyJudgesand lawyersalikethattheFamilyCourtsshouldbetheabsolute lawresortforfamilies.Researchhasconsistentlyshownthe damagingimpactonchildrenandadultsalikewhichresults frombeinginconflict,andadversariallegalproceedings cancauseemotionalharmtothoseinvolvedinthem.A reportfromtheNuffieldFamilyJusticeObservatoryin2019 foundthatofallseparatingcouplesinEnglandandWales, 38%endupincourtoverthearrangementsfortheir childrenonseparation.Itisestimatedthatatleast25%of thosedonotneedtobethereatall.Giventhedamaging impactcourtproceedingshaveonchildren,thisisbeing viewedasapublichealthcrisis.

Sowhatcanbedone?Manystakeholdersarenowjoining force:seniorFamilyJudges,theMinistryofJustice,the DepartmentofWorkandPensions,solicitors,barristers, mediators,therapistsandco-parentingprofessionalstocall foraradicalchangeinthewaycouplesapproachdivorce andseparation.Weneedasolutions-basedapproach,rather thanproblem-drivenone.Weneedtode-stigmatisedivorce. Tocreateafamilyjusticesystemwhichservesfamiliesby enablingthemtoworktogether,notagainsteachother.Iam veryproudthatTheDivorceSurgeryhasbeenpartofthat change,butfundamentallyeveryindustryistheproductof theconsumersitservices.Themoreseparatingcouples demandajoint,constructiveapproachtodivorce,themore quicklytheprofessionwillchangetomeetthatneed.

SANDRINE DESBARBIEUX-LLOYD

Epitomizing Proficient Leadership

SandrineDesbarbieux-Lloydisaseniorexecutive

withover25yearsofinternationalexperience, leadingorganizationsintheimplementationof strategicchangeanddigitaltransformation.Sheisthe EuropeanVicePresidentofDigitalatSamsung,where sheoverseesdigitalsalesandmarketing,amulti-billionpoundbusinessacross33countriesinEurope.Inthisrole, sheisdrivingSamsung’sdigitaltransformationincluding majorinnovationsuchasmachinelearningapplications. Previously,SandrinewastheDirectorofMarketingand DigitalatAvisBudgetGroupwiththeresponsibilityforall digitalplatformsandmarketingprogramsacrossEurope, MiddleEastandAfrica.Shehasalsoheldseveralseniorecommerce,digitalandmarketingrolesforinternationally recognizedconsumerbrandsincludingBT,LACOSTE, AXA,BAA,E.ONandBUPA.

Notableinhercareeristhenationallaunchofbroadband andWi-FiforthefirsttimeintheUK.Thisextremely challengingroleinvolveddefiningthewirelessstrategyfor BTGroupfollowingthede-mergerof02,buildinga mobilitybusiness,launchingBTOpenzonetheUK’sfirst PublicWLANservice,andthere-launchofBTMobilea newSP/MVNObusiness.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Sandrinetalksabout herundulatingentrepreneurialjourneyandthehurdlesshe overcame.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?

Ibelievethekeytocustomersatisfactioniscustomer researchandmeetingcustomerneeds.AtSamsung,wego onestepfurther.Weinnovateinourproductsandservices notjustbyunderstandingwhatcustomerswant,butalso

whatcustomersdonotknowtheywant.Customerneeds andbehaviourschangeallthetime;everygeneration,every segment,everycustomerisdifferent,soit'sacoreskillin theorganisation.Weputourcustomersfirst.

Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwheredo youhopetomakeanimpactnext?

Ibelievethattheneweraoftech(Artificial Intelligence/MachineLearning/Deep th Learning/Automation/CloudComputing/BigData)–the4 industrialrevolution–willdriveprofoundchangeandthese changeshavealreadystartedinmanyways.Atleast50%of humantaskstodaycouldbeautomated,leavingpeopleto focusonmorevaluableactivities.Forexample,wespenda lotofourtimefocusingonintelligentautomationof analyticstobeabletofocustheteamsoninsightand trading.

Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedwithinyourteamatSamsungElectronics? Inordertodrivetransformationasawomanbusinessleader atSamsung,Ifocuson:

Identifyingkeystakeholders,clientsandsuppliers

Activelylisteningtothembyaskingopenquestions

Tryingtounderstandthedifferentagendasandmotivations byputtingmyselfintheshoesoftheirstakeholders,clients andsuppliers

Definingawin-winstrategywithmycolleagues

Surroundingmyselfwithteamsandpeoplewhoarebetter thanme

Desbarbieux-Lloyd, EuropeanVice PresidentofDigital, SamsungElectronics

Deliveringagainstmypromises–always

Supportingothersaroundmeinchallengingtimesand praising/rewardingsuccess

Andmeasuringeverything!

Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercomethem?

Earlierinmycareer,IworkedintheTelecomsindustry whencompanieswerestrategicallymovingintoICT (InformationandCommunicationsTechnology).Itwasa bigandexcitingchallengeforme.Attheageof25,Iwas buildinge-Commercesolutions,runningmulti-million campaignsacrosstraditionalanddigitalchannels,launching BroadbandandWi-FiforthefirsttimeintheUK.Whilston thatjourney,Imetafewclientswhowereresistantto change.IremembertheMarketingDirectorofaglobal hotelchainstatingthatshedidn'tbelieveWi-Fiwouldtake off!Lookingback,Inowrealisethatoneofthebiggest challengesincorporatebusinessesistounderstandothers, whytheythinkwhattheythink,puttingyourselfintheir

“ People are at the heart of any business so working together is the only way to win.

shoes,anddefininghowbesttotakethemwithyouonthat journey

Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?

Ibelievewomeninbusinessshouldespeciallyuse emotionalintelligencetolead.Ontoponthis,theyshould usethesameskillsasanygoodleader:visionary,strategic, innovative,goodcommunicator,trustworthy,problemsolver,accountable,empathetic,transparent,humbleand resilient.

Thebestteamsaremadeofdifferences,somadeofmen andwomen.

Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatSamsungElectronics andforyourpersonalambitionsaswell?

MyroleisDigitaltransformation. Constantchangeispart ofthejobandasItispartofthejob.Asateam,weareused tothis.Wetakecalculatedrisks,wetrythingsout,we succeed,wefail,welearn,weroll-out,etc.Artificial intelligenceandblockchaintechnologieswilldriveeven greaterchange.

AIisnotnew,itisalreadyhappeningeverywhere. Algorithmspre-recommendthecontentweseeandwatch andtheproductswebuyacrossallareasofourlivestoday. blockchainbringswithitadecentralisedmodeltodata. Effectively,businesseswillonlybeabletostoreanduse verylimitedpartsofcustomerdataatspecifictimes.No longerowningcustomerdatawillchangemostbusinesses. Weneedtogetreadyforthat.

Thesetechnologieswillchangemyjob,everyone’sjobs, andalsoourbusinessmodels.

Tahisha Pearson Fugate

ImprovingDiversityand InclusioninLegalProfession

Thecallformorediversityandinclusionis becominglouderandmorecriticalinthelegal industry TahishaPearsonFugatewantedtobe partofthesolutiontolong-standingchallengeof diversity,equityandinclusioninthelegalindustry.Her passionforleveragingdiversetalenttoprovide innovationsolutionsforclients’mostcomplexbusiness challenges,aswellastheskillsshehasbuiltduringher 16-yearlegalbusinessdevelopmentcareerledherto OrrickHerrington&SutcliffeLLP,wheresheserves astheSr.ManagerDEIClientDevelopment.She couldnotbemoreexcitedthansheisatpresentaboutthe workshewillbeabletodoinidentifyingopportunities tohelpthoseunderrepresentedinthelegalindustrygrow theircareersandbuildingapipelineoflegal professionalswhorepresenttherealworld.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Tahishashares aboutherinspiringbusinessjourney.Sheisthewifeof RashawnFugateandmothertoJamariCunningham(18) andSophiaFugate(6).SheservesontheAdvisoryBoard ofTheConsciousInclusionCompanyandformerVice PresidentforthePrinceGeorge’sCountyChapterof MochaMoms,IncandProgramDirectorforLegal MarketingAssociation–Mid-Atlantic.

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterviewbetween TahishaandInsightsSuccess:

Howdoyoudiversifyyourorganization’sofferingsto enticethetargetaudience?

Amonglawfirms,Orrickisapioneerinadvancing diversityandinclusioninthelegalprofession,including beingoneofthefoundingfirmsinanunprecedented

collaborationtoimprovediversityandinclusioninthe legalprofession–theMovetheNeedle(MTN)Fund. MTNisafive-year,$5millioneffortthataimsto improvediversityandinclusioninthelegalprofession. Thisinitiativebringstogetherpeerlawfirms,corporate legaldepartments,andcommunityleaderstodevelop goalsandworktogethertoimprovediversity,equity,and inclusioninthelegalindustry.Orrickiscommittedto havingatleast55%diverseteams–includingwomen, lawyersofcolor,andLGBTQ+lawyers–servingan initialsetof40clientsinmeaningfulrolesby2025,as representativeofsomeofthegoalsofMTN.Inmynew role,Iwillsupportthisinitiativeaswellasothersthat alignwiththefirm’scommitmenttoincreasingDEI withinthefirmandthelegalindustry

Whatarethevitaltraitsthateverywomanbusiness leadershouldpossess?

Everywomanbusinessleaderneedstotapintotheir resilience,confidence,innateleadership,andabilityto buildrelationships.Don’tbeafraidofcreatingyourown pathanddefiningsuccessforyourself.Womenarethe backboneofthiscountrysonaturally,wearebadassin business.Ownthatenergy.

Whereareyoufocusingyourenergynow,andwhere doyouhopetomakeanimpactnext?

Iamfocusingmyenergyoncreatingmoreequityand inclusioninthelegalindustryfordiverselawyersand professionals.Buildingapipelineoflawyersand businessprofessionalsthatarerepresentativeofafull scopeofbackgroundsandexperiencesisveryimportant tothefutureofbusiness.

Whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?What styleofleadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhope toimplementwithinyourteamatOrrick?

Impactfulleadershipempowersothersandencourages everyonetobringtheirbestselvesandideastothe profession.Animpactfulleadervaluesbuilding relationshipsandunderstandshowtoauthenticallygrow them.Iprefertoempowerandoffergrace–tomyself andothers.Iconsideritaprivilegetoplayarolein helpingothersgrowtheircareersandwithgreatprivilege comesgreatresponsibility.Myresponsibilityisto identifyopportunitiesformyteammemberstogrow, learn,andbecomeconfidentintheircontributions,and supportthemalongtheway

Whatroadblocksorchallengeswerefacedbyyouina corporatebusiness?Andhowdidyouovercome them?

AsaBlackwomaninthelegalindustry,especiallynot beingalawyer,I’vefacedmanychallenges.Formany years,I’vebeentheonlypersonthatlookedlikemein severalrooms.Thelegalprofessionhashistoricallybeen hierarchical–lawyersatthetop,staffatthebottom. Businessprofessionalsinlawfirmsoftenfeel marginalized.AddtothatbeingBlackandbeinga woman,attimesit’sbeenatoughenvironmentto navigatewhenyoudon’tseepeoplethatlooklikeyouat thetoporwhohaveanyexperienceworkingwith someonewhounderstandsyourbackground.Ididn’t attendanIvyLeaguecollegeorbusinessschool–my educationalpathwasnon-traditional,andIoftenfound thatthereareveryfewpeopleinmyprofessionalcircles whosharemyexperiences.BythetimeIgraduatedfrom undergradIwasalreadyamother.WhenIdecidedtogo backtoschooltopursuemyMBA,mysonwas7/8years oldandIhadafull-time,verydemanding,roleatalarge lawfirm.Asamomyearsago,lawfirmsdidn’toffera lotofsupportandresourcesforworkingparents–especiallystaff.Leadershipdidnothaveexperienceor trainingtomanageprofessionalparents–manystill don’t,anditshowedinthewayIwastreatedattimes–oftenwithmefeelingpressuredtochoosebetweenbeing amomandbeingaprofessional.Leadershipoftenmade ithardforthoserolestoco-exist.Toovercomethese challenges,Ilearnedtoadvocateformyselfandmy careerandIdothesameformycommunity.Icontinued toshowup,takefulladvantageofopportunities presentedbutalsocreateopportunitiesformyself,and developthemindsetof“doingitscared.”Andmost importantly,IlearnedtoaskforandaccepthelpandI’ve beenblessedwithapersonalandprofessionalvillage thatsupportsme.

I’mencouragedbythepositivechangesI’mseeinginthe legalindustrywithregardtoDEIbutrealchangetakes consistentandthoughtfuleffortandtime.So,I’m committedtorollingupmysleevesanddoingmypart.

Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshoulda businessleaderpossesstothriveinanygiven competitivemarket?

Abusinessleadershouldpossesstheabilitytobeopento change,consciousness,empathy,andauthentic relationships.Therearemanystudiesthatconfirm diverseteamsaremostinnovative.Abusinessleader shouldknowhowtoauthenticallyleveragediverse talent,backgrounds,andskillsetstodrivebusiness growthandempowerherteamtobesuccessful.

Whathaveyouenvisionedforyourorganization’s future,withregardstoyourroleatOrrickandfor yourpersonalambitionsaswell?

IenvisionleavingthelegalprofessionbetterthanI enteredit–morecolorful(figurativelyandliterally).I lookforwardtoidentifyingandcreatinggrowth opportunitiesforattorneysandlegalprofessionalsof colorandalegacyformychildrenthatencouragesthem tobelimitlessandmakesthemproudtobeBlack.Ifeel hopefulthatthereisanopportunitytocreategreat changeintheprofessionandwehaveadutytotakefull advantageofthistime.Futuregenerationsarecounting ontheworkthatwedonowtocreateopportunitiesfor them,wheretheywillfindothersthatlooklikethemin theroomsthattheyenterandempowerthemtogrowas farastheydream.Leadershipinthelegalprofession acrossbusinessfunctions–lawyersandlegal professionals–willberepresentativeoftheworldin whichweliveandwork.

“Orrick is a global law firm focused on serving the Technology and Innovation, Energy and Infrastructure and Finance sectors.