The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2021 June2021

Editor’s Desk

LeadingWith Competence toAchieve Ambitious Goals

Thecurrentbusinessworldisinneedofempowering

womenleaders,whowiththeirinclusiveand empatheticapproachcandowondersinany organization.Womenleadersarebelievedtobeambitious intheirapproach.Theyhaveambitiousplans,meaningful purposes,andworthygoals.Theymotivatetheirteamsby creatingaaspirationalgoals.Theytransformchallenges intoopportunities.Theygrabopportunitiesdiligentlyand makethemcounttomakeadifference.Theyleadwith emotionalintelligence,empathy,competence,and compassion.

Moreover,empoweringwomenleadersinbusinessarebold andcourageous.Theyunderstandthatitisessentialtobe boldtothriveinaworldwithacut-throatcompetition. Empoweredwomenencourageotherwomentobeboldand braveandtheyneverlosethesightoftheirgoals.They empowereachothertogoagainstthenormorprejudices andbestrongandcourageousinthepursuitoftheir ambitiousgoalswithoutgivingintotheopinionsofanyone else.Theydon’tallowthemselvestobedemoralizedbythe opinionsofnegativepeople.Theyprepareastrategicplan toimplementtheirnovelideas.Theyareresult-oriented leadersandtheyjudgeathingonitsmerit.Suchwomen leadfromfrontandsettheexemplarystandard.

Inaddition,empoweringleadersareproactiveintheir approach.Theyareenthusiastictotakeonnewchallenges anddeliveratopmostperformances.Theseleadersnever becomevictimofanyfearoranymediocrity Thereis harmonyintheirwords,thoughtsandactions.Theyarevery muchawareoftheirpotentialanddon’tlimitthemselves anywhere.Theyknowthattheycanthriveinanyfieldthey choosetobein.Theyarecleveratmakingmaximumuseof opportunitiestheyhave.Theyarenevertrappedbydogma, fanaticism,fear,anddistractions.

Leadershipisaseriousresponsibilityandnotapostto enjoy.Empoweringleadersutilizealltheirresourcefulness

todrivethegrowthoftheorganization.Theygive momentumtothegrowthoftheorganization.They makeadifferenceinthelivesoftheiremployeesas wellastheirclients.Theyliketowalkinthelightof creativealtruismthanwalkinginthedarknessof destructiveselfishness.Theyhavegreatrolemodels intheirlives.Andtheyalsoleadinsuchawaythat theybecometherolemodelforfuturegenerations. Theyaredrivenbythespiritofcontributionfora worthycausesandtheydothatwithutmostgrace.

Inthiseditionof“The10MostEmpowering WomeninBusiness,2021”, wearepresentingsuch empoweringwomenwhoareleadingambitiously andthatarecontributingtothemostsignificantand worthycauses.

FeaturingasthecoverstoryofthiseditionisRachel Lemos,theDirector,CorporateProcurementat CanadianWesternBank(CWB).Rachelisa strategicandhighlyresults-orientedprocurement leaderwithover20years’experienceinlargeand internationalcompaniesspecializinginstrategic sourcing,publicprocurement,andsupplychain operationsmanagement.Withadiversebackground inbothprivateandpublicsectors,shehas demonstratedabilitytodeliveraworld-class procurement,drivingresultsthatdirectlyaffectthe topandbottom-linesoforganizations.

Delveintomoresuchinspiringstoriesandlastly, neverstoplearningwithourCXOstandpoints writtenbytheindustryexpertsandthecreative articlesbyourin-houseeditorialteamthatwillhelp toimproveyourskillset.

Have a look at their exemplary leadership styles and their most worthy contribution!

Chitalkar

sharad@insightssuccess.com

Sharad

08

Rachel Lemos

Trait

FeaturedPerson

AdeleSpraggon Owner

Brief CompanyName

AdeleSpraggon adelespraggon.com

AmyMartinez SeniorAttorney RMOLLP rmolawyers.com

ChristianneKerns ManagingPartner

Hahn&HahnLLP hahnlawyers.com

AdeleSpraggonisanaward-winningauthor,athoughtleader, aninternationaltrainerandafearlessspeaker.

RMOLLP'smissionistoprovideasenseofrelieftoitsclients andtheirfamily.Itdoesthatbyadvocating,handlingevery facetofclient'scaseefficientlyandcost-effectively,andgetting thebestresultfortheleastamountoflegalspend.

Hahn&HahnLLPhasbeenaninstitutionintheCalifornia businessandretainsitslongtraditionsofintegrity,service,and excellenceinthepracticeoflawwhilelookingaheadtothe changingneedsofitsclientsasthe21stcenturyadvances.

DonnaLouglin Founder&President LMGPR lmgpr.com

JenniferCisneros VicePresidentof Marketing

NinaMarino ChiefPeople& CultureOfficer

RachelLemos DirectorCorporate Procurement

BioMicrobics,Inc. biomicrobics.com

TheLoughlin/MichaelsGroupwasfoundedin2002byDonna LoughlinMichaels,aPRveteranknownforhertenacityand creativityinleadingpublicrelationsprogramsforearlystage technologyinnovatorstakingthemfromstart-uptoIPOand oftenacquisition.

BioMicrobics,SeptiTech,andScienco/FASTmanufacture integrated,sustainable,waterutilizationtreatmentsystemsland andsea.

KaplanMarino kaplanmarino.com

CanadianWesternBank cwbank.com

SummerKim-Davis Founder IKONMortgage Inc.,ikonmortgage.com

TaiwingTian Co-founder

Alcindor Manager&Consultan

Switching-Time switching-time.com

Powerhouselawboutique,KaplanMarinorepresentsbusiness professionals,executives,entertainers,publicfiguresandother individualsunderinvestigationortargetedbyserious allegationsofwhitecollarandothercriminalmatters..

CWBFinancialGroupisadiversifiedfinancialservices organizationprovidingspecializedserviceinbanking,trustand wealthmanagement.

IKONMortgageInc.isaresidentialmortgagecompanythat standsforIntegrity,Knowledgeofthemarketandproducts, Outstandingservice,andNewandbetterwaysofhelping cliental.

Switching-Timeisthepremierintegratedcommunications agencyforFashion,Beauty,Luxury&lifestylebrandsEver sinceSwitching-TimewasfoundedinNovember2012.

AlcindorLaw alcindorlaw.com

At AlcindorLaw,theteamofexperiencedandreputable lawyersspecialiseinprovidinglegalrepresentationinall matters.

Twanieka

Rachel Lemos Director Corporate Procurement Canadian Western Bank

Rachel Lemos

Leading Intentionally and Leaving an Exceptional Legacy

CWB Financial Group is a diversified financial services organization providing specialized services in banking, trust and wealth management for small- and mediumsized companies.

Impactfulleadershipisonethatisablenotonlytomake long-lastingcontributionstotheorganization,but ultimatelytoitspeople.Astrategicleadermustfocus onthelegacythattheywanttoleavefortheirteams, lookingateachofthemindividuallyandcollectivelyatthe sametime.Itisaboutseekingtounderstandthestrengthsof everyindividualandthepotentialgapsthatmaketheir teamsup.Oneoftheinstancesofsuchimpactfulleadership isRachelLemos,Director,CorporateProcurement at CanadianWesternBank(CWB).CWBisadiversified financialservicesfirmthatprovidesexpertadviceand specializedfinancialservicestobusinessowners.

Rachelisastrategicandhighlyresults-oriented procurementleaderwithover20years’experienceinlarge andinternationalcompaniesspecializinginstrategic sourcing,publicprocurement,andsupplychainoperations management.Withadiversebackgroundinbothprivate andpublicsectors,shehasdemonstratedabilitytodelivera world-classprocurement,drivingresultsthatdirectlyaffect thetopandbottom-linesoforganizations.

RecognizingOpportunity,LearningandContributing

RachelwasbroughttoCWBwithamissionthatseemed absolutelyenticingtoher:tobuildacorporateprocurement functionfromthegroundup.Thatmeanttolaydownthe foundations,tobringtolifeadepartmentthatdidnotexist before,whichwas,atthesametime,intriguingandexciting toher.ItwasintriguingbecauseCWBisamature organizationwithoverthirty-fiveyearsofexistence,which madeRachelaskherselfhowCWBgrewforalltheseyears inadecentralizedmodelandyetdoingsowell.Anditwas excitingsinceshehasspentherentirecareerinsupply chainandprocurementfixingthingsup,improving processes,andthatwasauniqueopportunityto ‘customize’

Nevertheless,itwasnotaneasydecisionforhertomake. Acceptingthatexcitingopportunitywasgoingtorepresent amajorshiftinhercareerjourney,movingfromthepublic sector(whichiswheresheworkedforthepreviousten years),aswellaslearninganewindustry.Shethendid whatshelovestodo,putalltheprosandconstogether, whichmadeherrealizeshehadagoldenopportunityat hand:tolearnsomethingnewandtodeliversomething tailor-made,whichwouldallresultinenrichinghercareer andfurthercontributingtothegrowthofaflourishing organization.Therefore,shemadehermoveandjoinedthe amazingCWBFinancialGroup–alsoknownas‘Team Teal’.

BeingnewtothefinancialindustrywasgreatandRachel humbledherselftolearnnewthingseveryday.Assoonas shejoinedCWB,shestartedadeepdive-inintothe financialindustrystandards.Thenextstepwastogeta betterunderstandingoftheinternalprocesses.Shestarted ananalyticalexerciseintoprocesses,systems,andtools,so thatshecouldcomeupwithrecommendationstofillinthe gapsandtosupportthenewcorporateprocurementfunction atCWBtoestablishtheframeworkforpurchasing,strategic sourcing,andriskmanagement,whileestablishingand developingthenewprocurementteam.

DeliveringSeamlessBankingExperienceforBusiness Owners

CWBoffersallthesameproductsandservicesthat Canada’sbigbanksdo,exceptthecompanydoesitwitha focusonbusinessowners.CWBlookstomakeaseamless bankingexperienceforbusinessownerswhoobviously havepersonalbankingandwealthmanagementneedsas wellasfinancialneedsfortheirbusinessoperations.

CWBisasmallerbankthanthebig5or6,butitisgrowing quickly.Theorganizationhasmadeseveralacquisitionsin thepastyear,havenumerouspartnercompaniesthatfocus onspecializedbusinesssectorslikeequipmentfinancing, anditjustopeneditsfirstphysicalbankingcenterin Ontariolastyear

CreatingaCultureofLoyaltyandCohesion

Rachelcarriesherownpersonalleadershipstylewithher anywhereshegoes.Itisthekindthatlooksafterpeopleand goesaboveandbeyondthe‘opendoorpolicy’.Rachelisa proactiveleaderwhoinvestsinrelationshipsand communicatesinawaythatsays, “let me walk with you, we're in this together”.Sheleadsintentionallyandbelieves increatingalegacyworthfollowing.

ProvidingExceptionalClientExperiencewithan ExcellentTeam

ThedifferenceatCWBishowtheBankprovidesan exceptionalclientexperience.Itisknownthatbankshavea traditionalreputationforbeingtransactional,butCWB looksatitsclientsaspartners,andtheyoftenviewCWBas partoftheirteamtoo.CWB’speopleknowbusiness,andit isproactiveaboutlookingforopportunitieswhere entrepreneurscangrowtheirbusinesses.Itallstartswithits remarkablecultureandvalues.CWBwasrecently th recognizedasthe28 BestWorkplaceinCanadabyGreat PlacestoWork.

RecognizingImportanceofProcurementExecutives

Rachelacknowledgesthattheprocurementactivitywithin organizationshassignificantlychangedinthepast20years, evolvingfromatransactionalpurchasingactivitythat supportedtheoperationalfunctions,toastrategically positionedrole.Asaresult,executivepositionsfor procurementhadgrownexponentially,givingprocurement avoiceatthetable,andsignificantlyhelpingtoshapeand influenceorganizations’strategicdirectionandgrowth.

‘‘

Whether you need expert advice and specialized financial services for your business banking, personal banking or wealth management – CWB has everything you need. ‘‘

Talentedprocurementexecutives,withatailored,wellthoughandproperlyexecutedprocurementstrategyhasthe powertopositivelyaffectthecompetitivenessofanygiven organization,unlockingsignificantvalue.Theproblem remainsthatformid-sizedorganizationsthatgrowfast,this canremainaninvisiblefactor,resultinginthecontinuation ofmanagingtheirprocessesinatacticalfashion.Thatis whentheexecutiverolebecomesevenmorerelevant,with thevitalroleofdemonstratingtheROIofinvestmentsina robustandefficientfunction,strictlyalignedwith organizationalgoals.

BringingValueofProcurementFunctiontotheTable

AccordingtoRachel,workingcloselytogetherandplaying asatrustedadvisoristheveryfirststepforacorporate procurementfunctiontosucceed,demonstratingitsvalueto internalstakeholders.Thereisnobetterwaytogettrustin placethanunderstandingstakeholders’dynamicsand prioritiesintrinsically.Forexample,workingcloselywith marketingorITteamswillleadtoabetterunderstandingof theirneedsandthereforeanenhancedabilitytocapturethe benefitsthatwilladdvaluetotheirbusiness.Thosevaries overtime,ineachmomentitmaybeaddingflexibility,or avoidingsupplierdependency,thenitmayshifttoreducing costs,oritcanbevariousfactorsaltogether.

Thesecondportionofitismaintainingtheserelationships. Procurementmustactasastrategicpartnertobusiness stakeholdersbeyondcompletionofacompetitiveprocess, orcontractexecutions.Itisessentialtocontinuously supporttheirneedsthatareconstantlyevolving,whetherbe injointlymanagingcontracts,monitoringvendor performancetoensurethatnegotiatedKPIsandSLAsare met,amongstothersimportantenduringactivities.

Finally,makingthevalueprocurementfunctionbringtothe tableknown!Rachelsays, “Do not miss the golden opportunity of selling off the results. Make your contributions visible throughout the organization. Define value, measure, and report it thoroughly.”

Thesearevitalcomponentsthatcannotbeneglected,which alsosupportsthemaintenanceofastrategicseatatthe table.

KeepingSystematicandForward-LookingApproach

Thereisnoone-size-fits-allapproachwhentryingto determinewhetherreducingcostsorriskscanbestsupport businessestodayandtomorrow.Itisourresponsibilityto

lookatthenatureoftheorganization’smaturityleveland whereitsitsatitsroadmap.Therearelotsofconsiderations thatneedtobemadetofigureoutthis.Istheorganization fightingforsurvival?OrIsitmatureandfinanciallystable? Istheorganizationinahighlyregulatedenvironment?Oris itinaspacethatithasalotmoreofleeway?Theanswerto thesevitalquestionswillleadone’seffortsanddictate priorities.However,Racheladvisestoneverleaveanyof thesefunctionsunattendedorneglected.Theymaynotbe equallyimportant,buttheyarebothcrucial.

Furthermore,Rachelconsidersitisimportanttomakesure thisisacontinuousexercisesincetheanswertothese questionstodaymayverylikelychangetomorrow.

Inherently,thisshouldbeasystematicapproachto determinewhereshouldoneputmoreeffortsandresources toachieveorganizations’strategicgoalsineachmoment, butatthesametime,keepingaforward-lookingapproach onone’sindustrypotentialchallengesandone’s organizations’goalsoftomorrow.

LookingProactivelyforSolutions

Rachelconsidersitisimportanttoconstantlyberesearching currenttechnologicaltrends,butalsoshapingtheonesof tomorrow.Itisnotsufficientnowadaystobealignedwith newertechnologies;thereisaneedtoinfluencethe developmentofinnovativesolutions.Theonlywaytomake

ithappenisbycloselyworkingwithstrategicsuppliers, sharingone’sorganizations’bottlenecksandpainpoints, andproactivelylookingforsolutions,jointly.Oneareathat makesadifferenceofhowcompetitiveorganizationsareis howtheyworkwiththeirstrategicsuppliers,andhowearly onebringsthemintothesolutioningoftheirchallenges.

AsRachelsays:“Business that gets their heads down trying to keep the lights on and get ‘too busy’to look for innovations are left behind. Competitive organizations lead the space, while others follow”.Assuch,procurementcan helpitsinternalstakeholdersandinfluencetransformation journeys,continuouslyactingasaconduitforchange.

BeingCourageoustoDealwithIssues

OnethingthathasservedRachelthroughouthercareerwas neveracceptinganyroadblocksasadead-end,butrather creatingalternativewaystoproceed,andneveracceptinga negativewithoutavalidreasontopauseorstopanything thatsheisconvincedtobeabenefitfortheorganization.

Rachelstatesthateverybusinesswomanshouldhave resilience,determination,andboldness,andtheyshouldbe preparedandcourageoustostartdifficultconversations wheneverneeded.Shesaysthatdealingwithanyissues mustbeseenratherasacollaborativeeffort,ensuringoneis pavingtheroadtoabetterworkplace,abetterworld.

BeingFearlessandDetermined

Toanywomenaspiringtobeinleadershippositions Rachel’sadviceistobeauthentic,humble,anddetermined. Especiallytowomenwhoarewillingtoenterfinancial industry,sheasserts “The financial industry is traditionally a male-dominated workforce, especially at senior leadership levels. If you are considering a field with similar dynamics remove your fear and come with an open mind. Look at the company’s brand and values, research their commitment and progress toward diversity and inclusion. These elements will definitely help you to succeed in pretty much any industry you are considering to be a part of.”

CWB gets to know you –forming relationships, asking the right questions, understanding your industry – so that it can provide you with the right financial solutions. ‘‘

‘‘

ADELE

SPRAGGON

Helping People Reach Unprecedented Levels of Success

Areyouintriguedbyagoodsuccessstory?Inspiredbya“ragstoriches”narrativeinwhichthe

entrepreneurovercomestheoddsandmakesittothefinishline?Thesetalesarecaptivating becausetheyaresorare.Themajorityofentrepreneursdonotsucceed.Butwhatifthelack ofsuccessisduetotheoperatinginstructionswearetaughttofollow?Whatifentrepreneursare taughttoblindlyfollowthewrongrulebook? MeetAdeleSpraggon Adeleteachesaproprietary techniquecalledthe4StepRepatterningTechniquethatissweepingtheglobebecauseofitsimpact. Sheisaninternationaltrainerandspeaker,atwo-timeleadershipawardrecipient,theaward-winning authorofthebookShift:4StepstoPersonalEmpowerment,andmainly,aguidewhohelpspeopleto smashthroughbarriers,transformtheirlives,andreachunprecedentedlevelsofeaseandsuccess–fromtheinsideout.

BelowarethehighlightsoftheinterviewconductedbetweenInsightsSuccessandAdeleSpraggon: PleasebriefourreadersaboutyourjourneyasaThoughtleader.

WhenIfirststartedasanentrepreneur,allIknewwasonebusinessmodel.Iwastoldsuccess dependedonmedeterminingmyidealclientandthencreatingservicesthatfitthisclient'sneeds.This wastooconfiningforme.Asathoughtleader,Ibringmyintellectualpropertytodifferentclients.In myworkinbehaviorchange,Iworkwithcoupleswhowanttoimprovetheirmarriages,with entrepreneurswhoneedpersonalempowerment,withmillennialsstrugglingwithanxietyandfears–thesame4-StepRepatterningTechnique(sameintellectualproperty)takentodifferentmarkets.Ifa readerisathoughtleaderatheart,theywillbefeelingtrappedbythestandardbusinessmodel.A thoughtleader'sjobistoadvanceherfield.Creationatthislevelisamatterofcross-pollination.Iuse findingsfromallsortsofareas,theancientartsofmeditationandyoga,fromphilosophy,thearts,

literature.Thejourneyofthoughtleadershipisgoing beyondtoaplacewhereyoucanreinventthefield.

Beinganinspirationalspeaker,whatisyouropinion regardingtheimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemiconthe mentalstate?Andwhatyousuggestovercomingthis significantchallenge?

Everyagehasitsplague,andoursisnodifferent.And,Iam not talkingabouttheCOVID-19pandemic.Today'splague isstressandanxiety.Ourcollectiveanxietyisskyrocketing insidethisstressfulmodernworld,andCOVID-19is merelyshiningaspotlightonthesementalchallenges.

WhenIworkwithpeople'sbehaviourpatterns,westartwith thisquestion.Doeswhatyouarecurrentlydoingwork?I don'taskthem,isitrightorwrong,orgoodorbad,butjust doesitwork?Ourcurrentworldisnotworkingforfartoo manyofus.Rightnow,COVID-19ispresentinguswithan opportunitythatisbeyondjustfixingavirus–thereare muchdeeperissuesthatareleadingtoisolation–problems withwealthdistribution,class,genderandraceprivilege, ourdividebetweenhumanityandnature.Allofthiswas therebeforeCOVID.SoalongcomesCOVID,and suddenly,wecannolongerignoretheseissues.Allofusare beingcalledtoquestionwhowearebeing,whatweare doinganddoeswhatwearedoingworkornotworkfor everybody.Nowwehaveachoice,wecanuseCOVIDas anopportunitytofixthedeepunderlyingissues,orwecan beavictimofourcurrentchoicesandreturntothestatus quoassoonasthispandemicisover.Ifwearegoingto surviveourcurrentplague,weneedtotransform.Perhaps COVIDcanhelpusdothat.

Describesomeofthevitalattributesthatevery businesswomanshouldpossess.

ThereisametaphorIcanusefromwhitewaterrafting. Imagineyouareindangerousrapids–thereareobstacles everywhere,rocksandchutesandtrees.Atfirst,your attentionisrivetedtotheseobstacles.Anovicewillfocus ontherocksand,bylendingtheirattentionthere,is guaranteedtocrash.Amasterwillkeeptheireyeonthe through-path.Everywomanhasherinternalrocks.Women, forwhateverreason,natureornurture,areoftentrippedup byotherpeople'sjudgementsorperceptions;byherinner critic;byherperceivedbody-image;bysituationalissues suchasmoney,time,thekids.Itisfartoocommonfora womantosilencehervoicebylisteningtothesesirens.Be therapids,betheway-through.I'mnotsayingignorethese obstacles.I'msayingfindamethodtoflowaroundthem.

Start with the question 'does it work', and if it doesn't, have the courage to create from the unknown.

Whatwerethepastexperiences,achievementsorlessons thatshapedyourjourney?

Formuchofmylife,Iwasfulloffearandstruggledwith anxiety--socialanxiety,panicattacks,andsuch.I meditateddaily,Ididdailyyoga,Ididtalktherapyfora decade,andwhennoneofthisfreedmefromtheanxiety,I didadeepdiveintomyownmindtocreateamethodthat worksforme.ThatmethodiswhatIteach.Everyreader hassomethingintheirpastthatispainful.Itisthere,inthat suffering,thatheropportunitylies.Turntowardsthis sufferingandgototheareasthatyoumostwanttoavoid, andthejourneybecomesalotmorefun.

Whatweresomeoftheprimalchallengesand roadblocksthatyoufacedduringtheinitialphaseof yourjourney?

Mybiggestroadblockswerequittingandpeople-pleasing.I hadaterriblepatternofquitting.Itwasmygo-towhen thingsgottough.Thisbehaviourwaspredicatedonpeoplepleasing.Wheneversomeonehadanunfavourableopinion ofwhatIwasdoing,Iwouldpanicandquit.OnceI overcamethis,itdidn'tmatterwhatthejourneythrewatme. Today,Iwillalwaysfindawaythroughtheproblem.

Haveyouinanywayscontributedtowardsthecauseof womenempowerment?

Myproprietary4StepRepatterningTechniqueisallabout transformingthebrainpatternsthatdisempowerus.Itisnot

uncommonforawomantofeeldisempowered.Weswimin culturalpatternsthatunderminefemininevalues.Values suchasrelationships,emotionalconnection,beingaligned withnatureandsoon.Womenneedtounderstandthattheir wayofleadingisdifferentfrommen's,butthatdoesn't makethemaleleadershipmodelcorrect.Ourbrainisnot shapedhierarchicallybutheterarchically Thinkofafluid hierarchyinwhichleadershiptransfersfromonepartof yourbraintoanother,dependingontheneedsofthe situation.Whenwomenareempowered,thisisthe leadershipmodeltheyproduce.Femininevaluesareneeded todaymorethanever,andwomencanleadthewayintoa newfuturebyrespectingandembracingtheirwayofdoing things.

Whatisyouradviceforemergingwomen entrepreneurs?

Ourcurrentsystemsarebroken,andjustbecausesomething hasbeendoneinaparticularwayformillennia,itdoesnot meanitworks.Womenentrepreneurshavethepowerto reinventthesystems.Sobeachangemaker,aninnovator,a rulebreaker.Findacoachwhowillhelpyouidentifyand followyourinnervoice.Thengooutandmakethechanges thataresodesperatelyneededtoday.

AmyMartinez SeniorAttorney RMOLLP

Amy Martinez

A Committed and Trusted

Senior Attorney

Seniorsandthosewithdiminishedcapacityarealways atanelevatedriskoffallingvictimtofinancialabuse.

Theproblemhasbeenheightenedduringtherecent pandemic,butnavigatingandhelpingsuchclientsin litigationwithpersonalone-on-onecommunicationisAmy Martinez–SeniorAttorneyofRMOLLP.

AsaseniorattorneyandleaderintheOrangeCounty market,Amyisresponsiblefordevelopingrelationships, supportingthelocalcommunity,andmentoringand coordinatingwithteamandclientsatisfactioninitiatives. Shehasbeenworkingformorethanadecadenowand understandstheemotional&financialquarrelingclientsgo throughincorporate,business,andprobatelitigation.She strivestopresentherexperiencetomaximizeandsecure economicallyfavorableresultsfortheclients.

AnEmpatheticAttorney

Throughouthertenure,Amyhadtocomeacrossvarious hurdles.Forher,understandingthatclientsareoftenacting andspeakingoutofemotion,andtryingtogetthempastthe emotionsotheycanultimatelymakewisedecisions,wasa challengeatthebeginningofhercareer. Earlyon,shealso workedtirelesslytobuildrapportandconfidencewith clients,especiallythosewhoweremucholderthanshewas asayoungattorney.Additionally,ever-changinglaws, rules,andregulationswerealsothere.

Intheworkplace,Amymadeitaprioritytocreatean entrepreneurialmindsettonetworkandgrowthebusiness. Shesays, “It can be hard to find your place or maintain confidence as a woman in a male-dominated field. I learned early on to stop the mental anguish of comparing myself to more experienced attorneys, which can only lead to frustration and self-doubt.”

Amyrealizedalongtimeagothatherskillsareuniqueand comparingherselftootherattorneysprovidesnovalue.For example,anattorneymaybeveryaggressiveorhavesome othertraitthatAmydoesn’tpossess,butshehastheability toengagewithpeopleonaveryhumanandcompassionate levelandherclientsknowshecaresaboutthemaspeople andnotjustasclients.Amyalsotriestoacknowledge opposingcounselasindividualsshecanlearnfrom,andnot justasanadversary Thatmakesthelitigationprocessmore enjoyableforher.Shetriestomakefriendsinsteadof enemiesbecauseifeveryonecontinuestobattle,theclients willneverwin.

EmbracingTechnology

Amyisoftheopinionthatlawfirmshavetounderstandthat AIandtheuseofnon-lawyerstoperformlegaltaskswill soondisrupttheneedforsomanylawyers.Drafting documentsandconductinglegalresearch,tasksoften performedbyjuniorassociates,willsoonallbeperformed byeitherAItoolsorservicessuchasLegalZoom.Firms thatdonotembracetechnologymightbecomeextinct,and certainly,firmsthatdonottraintheirattorneystonegotiate andadvocate(tasksthatcannotbeperformedbyAIornonattorneys)willsurelysufferasimilardemise.

ResponsetoPandemic

Talkingaboutthepandemic,Amymentionsthatworkingin aserviceindustry,RMOcouldhavestruggledgreatly duringthepandemic.Instead,thecompanyswiftlyaltered thewaybusinessisdonebytransitioningeveryonetowork fromhomeandcontinuingtomaintainhighlevelsof communicationwithclients.Italsoreliedheavilyon networkingandcreating/maintainingrelationshipswithkey businesspartners.RMOovercamethischallengebecause itsattorneysarepassionateaboutprotectingtheirclients, especiallyelderlyclientswhowereforcedintoseclusion

The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2021

duringthepandemic.Thecompanyalsofocusedon bolsteringtherelationshipsbetweenthosewhoworkat RMOandensuringthementalhealthoftheemployees remainsatoppriority

GivingBacktotheCommunity

HelpingandgivingbackisatthecoreofRMO. Amy becameanadjunctprofessoratChapmanUniversitySchool ofLawbecauseshelovessupportingstudentsworking towardsacareerinthelegalfield.Shetriestobeextremely patientandapproachablewiththembecauseshewantsthem tofullyunderstandwhattheyarelearningandnotbeafraid toaskquestions.Duringeveryclass,Amyemphasizesthe attorneys’ethicaldutiesbecausethebiggestmistakean attorneycanmakeisunderminingtheirroleasafiduciary “Once you’ve lost your credibility, you might never gain it back,” advisesAmy

StrategicGrowthMindset

Amystatesthatherparentsalwayshadthisgrowthmindset.

IfAmy,oroneofhersiblings,hadanidea,herparents wouldsay, “Go for it.” Therewerenolimitations,and nothingwouldholdthemback.Iftheywantedsomething, theyshould“go for it.” “Knowing that nothing can hold you back makes you realize that what some people consider a ‘failure’is merely a minor delay or bump in the road. Even when I experience a failure, I know that doesn’t mean I am a failure, it just means I have to take a detour on my road to success.” Amytriestoengrainthesamemindsetin hersonsoheisnotparalyzedbyfearwhentryingnew thingsorafraidtotakearisk.Sheknowsifitdoesn’twork out,thenextadventureisrightaroundthecornerandhe certainlywillhavelearnedalotalongtheway

ImpartingWisdom

Inheradvicetoupcomingbusinesswomen,Amysays,"Be a woman who supports other women; acknowledge their successes, congratulate them on wins. Also, don’t let your ego make decisions for you. If you live by your ego, you will never be living your true passion. Don’t focus on salary, titles, or prestige, but instead, focus on what’s truly important to you. Make a list of non-negotiables for your life and never settle for anything less because you deserve it all.”

Our vision for the next 5 years at RMO is to connue to grow into areas where our clientfirst service model can provide value to people in need of probate and trust estate dispute legal services. “

Chrisanne erns, Managing Partner, Hahn & Hahn LLP

The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2021

Christianne Kerns

EnsuringExcellentLegalServicetoClients

Theunprecedentedtimeofpandemichascertainly

beenchallengingforeveryone.Mostpeoplehave experiencedthingsinthepastyearthatwenever anticipated.Thelegalchallengesarisinginresponsetothe pandemichavebeenlifechangingfororganizationsand manyclientshavesufferedgreatly.Dealingwith unprecedentedtimescertainlyrequireslotofcreativity, competenceandresilience.Hahn&HahnLLPisproud tohavebeenaresourcetoclientsandpartnersinthe businesscommunity.

Oneoftheshinninglightsofthefirm,whostandstallin suchcriticaltimes,isitsleader,ChristianneKerns (Chris),whoisthefirstfemaleManagingPartnerinthe firm’s122yearhistory

Foundedin1899,Hahn&HahnLLPisoneoftheoldest lawfirmsinCaliforniaandoneofthelargestgeneral practicefirmsinSouthernCalifornia'sSanGabrielValley. ChrishasservedonitsExecutiveCommitteesince2011. AsheadofthefirmandeffectivelyitsCEO,sheleadsand overseesstrategicplanning,talentmanagement,partnershipmatters,branding,businessdevelopment,finance, accounting,IT,budgeting,riskmanagement,andhuman resourcesprocesses.

StrongWorkEthic

Chrisrevealsthedifficultfactthatwhenshewasayoung lawyer,womenhadtoworkharderandbesmarterthan men,justtobeseenasequal.Butwomenwerenever reallyequal.Thatisjustthewayitwas.Thisinstilleda strongworkethicinher,andtothisdayChrisworkslong hourstoprovideexcellentlegalserviceforherclientsand tofurthertheinterestsofherfirm.Chrisbelievesthata strongworkethicisamajorpredictortoone’ssuccess.

KeepingPeopleHappy,HealthyandEngaged

Attorneysworklonghours,oftenworkingfromhome wellintotheeveningandonweekendstomanageabusy practice,soremoteworkingwasnotentirelynewfor lawyers. Remoteworkingforstaff,however,wasabig shift. Althoughitwaschallengingfortheentirefirmto workremotelyduringpandemic,Hahn&Hahnmanaged throughleveragingtechnologyandincreasingcommunicationchannelsacrossthefirm.

Herpeople’swellbeingisalwaystopofmindforChris. Fromstaffconnectivitywithregularremotemeetingsand socialgatherings,toweeklyall-attorneymeetingsby zoom,remoteworkshopsabouttakingcareofone's mentalhealth,referralsforprofessionalhelp,andjust touchingbasewitheachotherregularly,thefirmisdoing whatitcantokeeppeoplehappy,healthy,engagedand connected.

AdaptingFlexibleApproach

Chrisreportsthatthepandemichashadadisproportionate impactonwomeninthelegalindustry.Manywomenhave steppedoutofthepracticeoflawtotakecareoffamily, particularlyschoolagedchildrenwhoaremanaging remotelearningfromhome.Chrisishopefulthattheir pathswillbringthembacktothelawwhencircumstances change,butthiswillrequiresupportfromthelegal profession.Buildingflexibilityintofirm/organizational cultureswillbenecessarytokeeptoptalent. Amore robustremoteworkenvironmentcanbeagoodoptionto helptobuildflexibilityintoanorganizationalculture. As weadaptofficespacetothepost-pandemicworld,firms mayneedlessofficespaceandopenworkspaceswillneed tobecompartmentalizedtoallowhealthydistancesand physicalbarrierstopromotesafetyandgoodhealth.

MakingaDifference

Inchallengingtimes,Hahn&Hahnisperfectlypositioned tonavigatetheconstantlyshiftingtidestohelpbusinesses surviveandthrive! Throughoutthepandemic,thefirm helpedmanybusinessesobtainlargeamountsofemergencyfunding,affiliateinpartnershipwithotherbusiness organizations,maneuveraroundforeverchangingbusiness restrictionsandemploymentregulations,acquirebusinessesindistresstoretainvalue,andbuyandsell companiesandproperties. Othereffortsincluded litigationandbankruptcyasneedsdictatetoprotectvalue andassets. Anditseemedthateveryoneneededanewor updatedestateplan.Throughitall,Hahn&Hahnseeksto makesanimpactonitsclientsbyprovidingexcellent, value-addedserviceincollaborationwithclientsand others.

WorkingHardforWelfareofPeople

Hahn&Hahnlawyersaremotivatedbytheirpassions; mostareservingthecommunitythroughvarious charitablecauses.Theyvolunteerandadviseona multitudeofnon-profitboardsofdirectors,including childservicesorganizations,homelessshelters,animal rescueagencies,schools,boys’andgirls’clubs,hospitals, andthePasadenaTournamentofRosesAssociation.They areworkinghardforthegoodofthecommunity

‘‘

BeingPreparedtoMakeSacrifices

Chris'sadvicetoyoungwomenandpeoplewithdiverse backgroundsaspiringtoalegalcareer:beprepared,work hard,andmakesacrificesforyourfuture.Pursuethelaw withgustoanddonotletbiases,apparentorinherent,stop you.Beopentomentorswhocanhelp,guideandlead you,andsponsorswhowillputyououttherefor opportunitiesandrecognitionforyourgoodwork.Look forwaystobringpositiveattentiontoyourselfandyour work–leadingtobetterassignmentsandhighervisibility Ifyouareinasituationthatdoesnotprovideopportunities tosucceedortheflexibilityyouneed,don'tbeafraidto considerotheroptions.Partnershipandseniorcounsel positionsexistforwomenandpeoplewithdiverse backgrounds,eveninthetopinternationalfirmsand companies.

ReflectingtheDiversityofCommunity

Hahn&Hahnseekstomaintainitsindependenceasa smalllawfirm.Withwomencomprisingmorethan50%

ofitspartners,thefirmisacertifiedmajoritywomenand minorityownedfirmandstrivestoimproveitsdiversity sothatitsprofessionalsbetterreflectthediversityofthe communitiesitserves.

CommitmenttoHighQualityService

Hahn&Hahnprovidesoptimalsolutionstochallenges thataddvalueandcontributetoclients'andtheir stakeholders'successes. Thefirmcontinuesalong commitmenttoexcellenceandintegrity,deliveringhighqualityrepresentationandsophisticatedbusinessand legalservicestolongstandingclientsandtheemerging leadersofCalifornia,whilebringingtheirmindsand heartstomakeameaningfuldifferenceinthe communitiestheyserve.

From Le to Right: Hahn & Hahn aorneys Rita Diaz, Chrisanne Kerns & Susanne Cohen.

Inthismodernage,awomanisnotconfinedtothe boundariesofahome.Thereisalotofdevelopmentin thefreedomofwoman’slife.Today,awomantoils& reachesfromragstoriches.Therearemanyexampleslike KylieJenner,SherylSandberg,MaryBarraetc.Itisseen thatinallbusinesspersonsintheworld,36%consistsof businesswomen.

Whatstandsstrongbehindthesuccessofa businesswoman?Manybusinesswomentodayhavetheir familysupportbutsomeofthemhavehadobjections,

constraintswhilestartingupabusinessorenterprise.So, whatarethequalitiesthatmakeabusinesswomanstandout fromthecrowd?Obviously,theanswerisself-confidence, buttherearemanytocount.

Ambition–Whatifabusinesspersonisnotambitiousand seriouswithhisorherbusiness.Whatifheorsheisnot consciousaboutbusinessanddoesnothavesenseof purpose.Onemaycometoapointinlifewhereone squanderseverything,comesbacktoearlieroneanddoesn’t becomeasuccessfulone.Manybusinesswomenare successfultodaybecause,theyareambitiousatsomething. Theyhavecharismatoachievewhattheydreamandwhere theywanttoreach.

Humility&WillingnesstoLearn–Asuccessfulperson nevergiveuplearning.Beitasuccessfulentrepreneuroran employee.Learningiswhatkeepsthemboostedup.They openupanywheretosharetheknowledgetheyhaveand whynotoneshoulddothat.Ithelpsateverystageof

humandevelopmentwhichleadstoasuccessful businessperson.

Assertiveness–Thisiswhatmanylacktobeeventheyare confidentenoughtodoherjob.Beingassertive,facing criticism,answeringcriticsfearlesslyandatthesametime beingcool,calmandconsideredareveryqualitiesthata businesswomanmustpossess.Thisresultsinapositive responsefrompeoplearoundandtheyrespectyouforthat.

Persistence–Simplystartingabusinessandworking sporadicallydoesn’tworkinthisrealworld.Onehastobe persistentwithherduties.Ifnot,theywillfaceabig downfallinbusiness.Stickingtoownwordandprovingself totheworldseemstobejustaphrase,butitmeansalot whenyoustepinabusinessandinteractwiththispragmatic world.

Weknowmanyfamousbusinesswomeninthisworld.They arebignamestotakebuttherearemanyfemale entrepreneursinthisworldwhichaccounttoholdamassive portionofbusinessesinthisworld.Whatpercentageof womenownbusinessesandrunningthemsuccessfully?Itis nearlyequaltomenowingbusinesses.Itis48%ofwomen

whorunbusinessesinthisworld.Accordingtoareportby AmericanExpress,thenumberofwomenownedbusinesses grewby4.2%eachyearfrom2007to2018.Isn’titan inspirationalnews?Inthiscompetitiveworld,wheremost ofthebusinessmenfeelitdifficulttothrive,insucha situationwomenholdagoodamountofstakeinbusinesses. Thisiswhatmotivatesotherwomenaroundtheworld.A womanhasmoreresponsibilitieswhensherunsthe householdandbusinesstogether.

Thoughthebusinesswomenaresuccessfulandcontinuously managestobeinthepositionfirmly,butitcannotbethe sameforhereverytime.Therearemanychallenges,faced bywomenentrepreneurstoday Thesemightbethefamily ties,maledominatedsociety,problemoffinance.Family holdstobethemostimportantthingtoawoman.Inthis world,whereamanisdeemedtoworkandearnbreadand butter,andwomantorunthehouseholds,itisnoteasyfor peopletodigestthefreedomofawomanandallowherto workwhethersheisanentrepreneuroranemployee.This worldisbyfact,themale-dominatedsocietyandnoonecan denybutstillprovingselfandstandingshouldertoshoulder makeasuccessfulbusinesswomanstandoutofthebox.

Loughlin FounderandPresident LMGPR

Donna

Donna Loughlin

Delivering Results that

Drive

Leadership, Momentum and Growth

Theimportanceofnewsindustryhaseverlasting impactonthelivesofpeople.Thismediumhasthe powertomakeatangibleimpactonlargersections ofsocietythroughthestoriesitcantell.Todeliverefficient publicserviceshavinggoodplatformisimportant.In2001, DonnaLoughlinformedLMGPRtoprovidestrategic publicrelations(PR)servicestoemergingtechcompanies. DonnaisaPRveteranknownforhertenacityandcreativity inleadingpublicrelationsprogramsforearly-stage technologyinnovatorstakingthemfromstart-uptoIPOand oftenacquisition.

BeingExposedtoMediafromYoungAge

Donna’sbiggestinfluencewasgrowingupinthepre-digital ageinthenewspaperindustry Atayoungageshewas exposedtonewsreporting,publishing,andtheprint process,mostlyfromherfatherandhisbrothers.Bythe timeshewasateenagershehadexperienceworkingfora communitypaper,thenbookpublishing.Shealsoworked onalocalradiostationdoingadvertisingwritingandaudio recordings.Theseexperiencesandhernon-stopcuriosity abouthowthingsworkultimatelyledhertogettinga degreeincommunicationsandjournalism.

MakingtheImpossiblePossible

ThepivotinDonna’scareerwaswhenshewentfrom publishingtothetechnologysectorandhersenseswere ignited.Thetechindustryisalwaysadvancingandhow thingsworkandimpacteveryone’slivesfascinatesDonna. Sheisinspiredbyinfluencingchangeinhowonecanwork andlivewiththeadvancementoftechnologyonestoryata time.Makingtheimpossiblepossibleintriguesherthemost aboutworkingwithvisionariesandfuturists.

CreatingRealBusinessResults

LMGPRmeans—Leadership,MomentumandGrowth. LMGPRisaplatformofgreatstorytellers,influencers,and marketsshapers.Theplatformisformedonabeliefthatthe rightstoryandtherightaudienceleadstorealbusiness results.Donnabelievesthatcreatingagreatstorystartswith ajourneyofdiscovery,researchandbeingrelevant.Sheis anaward-winningstorytellerandPRinfluencerworking

withvisionarieschanginghowpeopleliveinthefuture.She isalsoknownforherresults-orientedPRprograms, dedicationtoherclients,andconstantenthusiasmfornew innovation.

InnovativePRApproach

WithLMGPR,Donnahassecuredmorethanadozen personalandagencyawardsfromglobalorganizations. LMGPRhasreceivednumerousindustryawardsbasedon itscontinuousPRleadership,creativity,mediarelationsand innovativePRapproach.Donnabelievesthatclient engagementisaboutlisteningandlearning,andnotjusta transaction.Sheishighlyskilledineveryaspectofpublic relationsanddelivershighimpactresultsthatdrive Leadership,MomentumandGrowth.

DeliveringHigh-ImpactResults

PriortoestablishingLMGPR,Donnaworkedwithseveral techcompaniesandstartedhercareerinpublishingasa reporter/editorworkingonscienceandmathpublications. Shespentadecadeworkingincorporatepublicrelations positionstakingcompaniesfromstealthtoIPOinavariety ofB2BandB2Ctechnologymarkets.Atthetime,there werealotofbigandmid-sizedagenciesinthemarket,but noneprovidingastrategicapproachtolaunchingcompanies inlessthan6months,letalone90days.Thesearethe phasesthatitsclientsengagewithitinandhowitquickly acceleratesitsbusinessmodel.Asaresult,LMGPRisable todeliverhigh-impactresultsthatmatchitsbusinessgoals overandover.Atthispoint,ithaslaunchedover500 companiesandsecuredmorethanamillionarticles.

MovingBeyondTraditionalPressRelease

LMGPRworkswithvisionariesandfuturiststhatareoften workingfromlabsandthinktankswellbeforeproductsgo tomarket.Sometimestheseconversationsstartwithnapkin conversationsoraseriesofwhiteboardtalks.Thenitstarts craftingthestoryboardandapplythestorytothescienceto makeittangible.Onceitcreatesastory,itdeterminesthe mediuminwhichtotellthestory,oftenmovingbeyondthe traditionalpressrelease.

Videoisonemediumforgoodstorytellingthatcantakea customeronauniqueexperience.LMGPRoftentiesvideo withotherinteractivedigitalassetslikeashortpodcast seriesorbylineseries.Thentheymakeadigitalpresskit whichbecomesakeyknowledgecenterrepositoryofall digitalassetsforeducatingboththemediaandconsumers andgivingthemahands-onexperience.

InculcatingCreativeProcessinTellingtheStory

Notwocustomershavethesameneedsastheyareat differentphasesoftheirbusiness.Itstartswiththecompany andproductvision,thenLMGPRstandsbackandlooksat themarketneed,challenges,andbusinessgoals.Onceithas allthisinformationcollected,itcanstartthecreative processintellingthestory.Sinceitworkswithemerging markets,thefirstphaseafterstorycreationisoftenmarket analystbriefings.Themarketanalystisimportantasitisthe pulseoftheindustryandknowwhootherplayersthatare mightbeinstealthalso.

PavingtheFuturewithImplementationofAdvanced Technologies

LMGPRhascontinuouslyevolvedwiththeemergingtech markets.Thelastfewyearsithasamplifiedits transportation,AI,robotics,andsustainabilityproduct portfolio,bringingsomeofthemostamazingproductsto market.Theconvergenceoftechnologyhashappenedquite rapidly.Theintelligenceonceincarsisnowinsmart tractors,motorcycles,andone’shome.

Additionally,thereisanadvancementofAIanddeep learninginpostCOVID-19wellnessandenvironmental products.Bringingtheseproductstomarketrequiresalotof educationandLMGPRisdelightedtoworkwithcompanies

pavingthefuture.Donnaisalsohostingapodcastseries, “BeforeItHappened,”whichisanup-closeandpersonal seriesonvisionariesandthefuturetheyimagine.Theseare theideamakersshapingtheirlifeandwork,andtheygeta glimpseintotheirworldbeforetheycreatedtheirbigidea.

BeingInformed,Fearless,AgileandRelevant

Donnatriestostrivebythe“7HabitsofHighlyEffective People”outlinedinStephenRCovey’sbookand“Howto WinFriendsandInfluencePeople”byDaleCarnegie. ThesebookshavebeengreatcoachingtoolsduringDonna’s career.Sheconsidersitisimportanttobefearless,agileand relevant.Shelearnedthelatteronthejobwithsome amazingmentors.

SeeingDiversityinPR 69percentofthePRindustryprofessionalsarewomen, makingitagreatcareerchoiceforthenextgeneration. Donnasaystoentrepreneursthatnotonlythiscareeroffer choicesinworkingforcorporate,agencyorfreelance,it’s alsoverykindtothosewantingfamilies.Therearecertain sectorssuchastechnologythattheclientbaseis80percent male,makingitaninterestingdynamic.Donnawouldlike toseemorediversityinPRindustryandthecollegedegrees thatenterthefield.ShestatesthattheCollegeinternships areagreatplacetostartexploringcareeroption.

Jennifer Cisneros Vice President of Markeng BioMicrobics, Inc.

Jennifer Cisneros

Promoting a Culture of Water Innovation

Effectiveleadersseetheirdailyactivitiesas opportunitiestogrowintheirpersonaland professionallife.Onalargerscale,effectiveleaders seeagency-wideprojectsasdoorsthroughwhichtheycan getaglimpseonhowtheorganizationisdoingandwhatis requiredtohelpthecompanygrow

Onesuchtransformationalandempoweringleaderis JenniferCisneros.SheistheVicePresidentof MarketingatBioMicrobics,Inc.Shepromotesaculture ofWaterInnovation.Jenniferisexcitedtoshareher personalexperiences,providetipsforcareeradvancement, andliststhreebehaviorsthathavehelpedherinhercurrent role.Lastly,shelistssometips,whichcanhelpwomen pursueasimilarcareerpath.Thearticleincludesashort snapshotonheremployer’ssocialmedialandscape.Her experiencemakesheratopthoughtleaderinherindustry

ExemplifyingProficiency

Whileithasbeenachallengetomarkettomultiple customersegmentsaroundtheglobein80+countries, Jenniferiseagertosupportthe120+BioMicrobics distributorsandhelpcommunicatethecompany'smission. “Watertouchesoneverythingwedoonthisplanet,” Jennifershares.“Wateristhethingpeoplecannotlive withoutandseemtovaluetheleast.”Jenniferisalways eagertoaddressquestionspeoplemayhaveaboutwater. Shebringsastrong,technicalvoicetocustomerandinhouseconversations.Shequicklylearnedthatweneededto educateourcommunitiesaboutourcurrenttechnologies, industryregulations,andtheenvironmentalrisksthathave adirectimpactonourwatersupply

InadditiontoservingasVice-PresidentofMarketingfor BioMicrobics,Inc.anditssubsidiaries,Jennifermanages heremployer’scommunications,websites(including DistributorsitesthroughaDBAProgram),350-plusonline profiles,socialmedia,andtradeshows/corporateevent planning.Behindthescenes,BioMicrobicsmarketsin17 differentlanguages.Sheworkswithinternational

distributorswhoassistintranslatinghermaterialforeachof theirmarkets.Intandem,JenniferworkswithTechnical PracticesCommittees(TPC)composedofscientistsand waterprocessengineerswithdifferentskillsetsandlevelsof expertisefortechnicaldocuments.Shesubmitshighpriority,technical/environmentalmanagementresearch questionstoOrganizationsandInnovationPrograms.For6 years,sheservedastheMarketingChairoftheNational OnsiteWastewaterRecyclingAssociation(NOWRA).

Hereffortswereparamounttoachievingrecognitionfor BioMicrobicsasunveiledbythefollowingawards:Kansas ExporteroftheYearin2011,President’s“E”[Excellencein Exports]in2012,“EStar”in2016,Top10Wastewater ManagementSolutionsProviderin2019,andGlobalWater &WastewaterCompanyoftheYearin2020.

Jenniferhasbeencontactedbynationwidemanufacturing organizationsthatpromoteandrecognizewomenwho exemplifyleadershipinScience,Technology,Engineering, andProduction.Inthisregard,JenniferreceivedThe ManufacturingInstitute’sSTEPAheadAwardin2017and, in2019,theEmpoweringWomeninIndustryAwardfor LeadershipinManufacturing.Recently,Jenniferwas interviewedasa“WomaninBallastWater”forher contributionstooneofthecompany’smostrecent acquisitions.ThearticledescribedJenniferas“nostranger toleadingthewayandnotjustingenderequality.”

CarvedherOwnPath

Withregardtoherengineeringandtechnicalbackground, Jenniferconfides,“Ioriginallypursuedadegreein architecture/environmentaldesignbutchangedtomarketing ascommunicationsbecamemypassion.”MostofJennifer’s operationalexperiencewasobtainedbyworking‘inthe trenches’atengineeringandartdepartmentsonprojects withcompetingprioritiesandaggressivedeadlines.

FormostofJennifer’scareer,sheworkedinhigh-paced workenvironments,whichrequiredhertomanageherown workflow.Shementionedshedidnothaveaformalcareer

mentor.“Fortunately,”Jenniferadded,“informalmentors aboundwhenIstoppedtotakealookatthepeopleI workedwithandserved.”

Withinherchainofcommandandeverylayerinher employer’sorganizationalstructure,shehasfoundpeople whoexemplifytheleadershiptraitsshefeelscompelledto modelafter.FromthePresidenttotheWarehouseStaff,the BioMicrobicsTeamcultivatesanatmosphereof camaraderieandinclusiveness.

FindingyourPassioninyourCurrentRole

Jenniferassertsthatanyrolecanleadtofindingone’s passionaslongaswetakethetimetoreflectonwhatthe companystandsforandhowwewanttoserveour customers.

Sheadds,“WorkingatBioMicrobics,IfoundoutIhavea passionfortalkingabouttheenvironment.Bycontributing tothedistributionofcleantechnologies,Icanhelpsolve worldwaterproblems.”

TIP#1: BeAgile

Jenniferbelievesakeytraitofagoodleaderistobeagile. Whileitiscommonknowledgethatprojectsmustbe

dividedintomanageable,actionableitems,wemustsee theseitemsasflexibleconstructs,whichmustbereassessed andadaptedperiodically

Onthistopic,Jennifershares,“wecan’tfixateourmindson arigidexecutionplanwhenweknowlifewillbringus surprises.”Anagile,flexiblemindseteffectivelyflows throughtheissuesandcanachievewide-rangingobjectives.

TIP#2:

SpeakUp

Getyourvoiceheardwithyourideasandletpeopleknow whereyoustand.Speakingupassoonasrisksareidentified isessentialtotheday-to-daymanagementofafirm’s operations.Whencompanyleadersfostersasafework culture(e.g.respectofeveryone’sideasandopen feedback),creativeideasflourishwhich,inturn,brings forthahealthydoseofrisk-taking,newpossibilitiesand previouslyoverlookedopportunities.

Whilesafetyandrisk-takingappeartobetwoendsofthe spectrum,Jenniferfeelsbotharetiedatthehip.Withinher organization,Jenniferstates,“Withouttrust,thereisno safety;withoutsafety,thereisnospacefornewerteam memberstospeakupandcontribute.

Withsafety,youcreateanenvironmentforpeople’sideasto flourish,evenifthoseideasmaybecomehighlydisruptive. Eveniftheideafails,theexperiencegainedwillhelpinthe future.Asking:Whatwentwrong?WhatcouldIdobetter nexttime?WhatcanIlearnfromthis?

Undesirableoutcomescanopendoorsforunexpected opportunitiesandevenvaluablelifelessons.

AtBioMicrobics,thereisconsiderableexposuretopolitical risks,culturalmisunderstandings,economicfluctuations, andotherentanglements.Jennifersaidsheisfortunateto workforBioMicrobicswhoseapproachtoremainopen, drivenandflexiblespeakstoitsheavyemphasison diversity,inclusion,andcompanygrowth.

NexttoherCommunicationsStudiesLeadershipAwardin heroffice,shehasasmallbrassplaquethatsays, “QUALITY…neveranaccident;Qualityisalwaysthe resultofhighintention,sincereeffort,intelligentdirection, andskillfulexecution;itrepresentsthewisechoiceofmany alternatives.”

TIP#3: Participate

Participateinor,ifnotavailable,setupcross-knowledge transfersessionswithyourteam.Theseactivitiesare

effectiveatbuildingateamthatworkseffectivelytogether, aseachparticipanthasabetterunderstandingofhow everyoneplaysaroleintheteamandorganization.Jennifer promotesacross-teammindsetbytrainingcoworkerson thesameskillsandtasksthatsheisresponsiblefor.Doing soprovidesemployeeswithpromotionpotentialand advancementopportunities.Shewouldn'tasksomeoneto dosomethingthatsheherselfwouldn'tdo.

Sheisexcitedtocometoworkeveryday,asshefeelsshe learnssomethingneweverydayandshewantsothersto feelthesameexcitementshefeels.Thankstothevisionof BioMicrobics’founder,thecompanyhasexpandedits operations,supportprograms,andproductofferingsallover theworld.Herwillingnesstoparticipateininternational travelhasaffordedJennifermanyopportunitiestogrowon apersonallevelandinhercareer.Notonlyhasvisited18 countries(thusfar),shehasgainedagreaterunderstanding ofherdistributors’marketsandabletosupportthembetter.

Throughhertravels,shehasmetthemostamazingpeople intheWaterindustry.Manycolleagueswithinthe BioMicrobicsnetworkoftenvisitherworkplacefortraining andparticipateincorporateevents.Shestatesthatwhile everyonecomesfromdifferentbackgrounds,theinteraction createsuniqueperspectives.Abigplusisthatyouoften

meetlike-mindedpeopleandsometimescanmakelife-long friendstoconnectwithonsocialmedia.

BringingtheWaterIndustryinLimelight Jenniferexpressedherassuranceanddedicationtothe company’stagline:‘BetterWater.BetterWorld.’andthe technologiestoaidinefficientwatermanagement.

BioMicrobicshasspentaquarterofacenturyinthewater andwastewatertreatmentindustry,manufacturing wastewater,greywater,recyclingandwaterreusetreatment systemstoprovidesolutionsforsmallcommunities, commercialpropertiesanddecentralizedhomes.Forthe past14years,shecontinuestoprovevitaltothecompany’s growthbyintegratingBiomicrobics’marketingefforts.

Itisparamountthatthecompanyeffectivelycommunicates andeducatestoacquireanewtargetaudience,the consciousconsumer Thisaudienceishighlyactiveinsocial mediaandwillengagetomostwithBioMicrobicsSocial Mediapresencebyretweetingandsharingpostsabout BioMicrobics’environmentally-focusedcontent.Jennifer hashelpeddevelopaloyalfanbaseforthecompanyon Twitter,Facebook,LinkedIn,Instagram,YouTube,andeven Pinterest(sheisinthebeginningstagesofTikTok) transformingBioMicrobicsintoatransparentcompany.

EnlighteningUpcomingBusinesswomen

Adviceshegivestoemergingbusinesswomen,“Bepatient whensettingandworkingonyourcareergoals;always assesswhereyouwanttocontribute.Donotrushorstress overthedetailsasthisiswheremistakeshappenand deadlinesaremissed.”

Haveachancetosharpenyourselfforthelongtermthrough clearintentionandintegrity,takingthetimetoreflectonthe lessonslearnedandlendingahelpinghandalongtheway Doingsowillhelpsupporttheorganizationandcustomers withconfidenceandaclearpurpose.

Herfinalthoughtsleavesusreadytoreachnewheights: “Besidesbeingagile,speakingup,andparticipating,be committedtodeliveringexcellenceoneverytaskyou handle;eventheearlymorningemailswesendisa reflectionofwhoweareandwhatwestandfor Thissame reflectionisalsosharedthrougheverydailyinteraction.”

“Lastly,findyourpassion,delegate,empathize,develop boundaries,exerciseanddrinkplentyofwater!

NinaMarino Co-founder KaplanMarino

The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2021

Nina Marino

A Proficient White-Collar Defense Attorney

Beingawhite-collardefenseattorneyisaweighty

responsibilitybecausesomeone’sfutureis dependentonyourstrategyandabilitytoexecute.A lawyer’sworkinvolvesadvisingclientsonallpartsofthe lawandpresentingtheirbestcasebothinandoutofcourt. Asthebusinessenvironmentcontinuestobecompetitive, anadvisershouldbewellinformed,prompt,andattentive. Leadingwithalltheseskills,NinaMarinoisan internationallyrecognized,white-collarcriminaldefense attorney.

Aco-founderofherfirm,KaplanMarino,Ninarepresents businessprofessionals,executives,publicfigures,andother individualswhoareunderinvestigationortargetedby seriousallegationsofwhitecollarandothercriminal matters.

Inaninterviewwith Insights Success,Ninashedslighton leadership,women’sparticipationinthelegalprofession andlifefactorsthatinspiredher

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Pleasebriefourreadersaboutyourleadershipposition atKaplanMarino

IfoundedKaplanMarinoin1996withmyhusbandandlaw partner,RichardKaplan.Sincethen,wehaveshared responsibilityforthegrowthofthefirmandtheexpansion ofthepractice.Today,KaplanMarinoisrecognized globallyasawhite-collarcriminaldefenselawfirm.

Beinganexperiencedleader,whatareyourthoughtson theimpactoftheCOVID-19pandemiconthelegal profession?AndhowhasKaplanMarinomanagedto overcomethissignificantchallenge?

TheimpactofCOVID-19onthelegalprofessionhasbeen quiteinteresting.Whereaspreviously“everyday”meantan “officeday,”andeverymeetingwasinperson,todaywe workonaflexibleoffice/work-from-homescheduleand

videocallsarethenewnorm.Thatiscertainlynotto diminishthevalueofperson-to-personworking environments.IthinkwhathasmadeCOVID-19asuccess forKaplanMarinoisourabilitytoadaptandthriveina virtualenvironment.Itisbalancingworkingvirtuallyandin theofficethathasservedtogrowthefirmin2021.

Inwhatwaysdoyoucontributetothecommunity? IfoundedandchairedtheCriminalLawSectionofWomen LawyersofLosAngelesformorethan20years.WhenI retiredmypost,JenniferLieser,amemberofmyfirm,took overasChair.Mypartner,RichardKaplan,wasthe PresidentoftheBeverlyHillsBarAssociation.Ifounded andchairedtheWomeninWhiteCollarSubcommitteeof theAmericanBarAssociationCriminalJusticeSection WhiteCollarCommittee.Ialsofoundedandcurrentlychair theLosAngelesChapteroftheWomenWhiteCollar DefenseAssociation.IamalsoontheExecutiveCommittee oftheCriminalJusticeSectionCounciloftheAmerican BarAssociation,sitbyappointmentontheStandards Committee,andchairtheContinuingLegalEducation Committee.Tosaytheleast,ourfirm’scultureencourages givingbacktothelegalprofessionandeveryoneatKaplan Marinoactivelycontributes.

Ifgivenachance,whatchangewouldyoubringto mitigaterisksforcompaniesincybercrimeormoney laundering?

Companiesoperatinginthefinancialsectormustbe familiarwith know your customer policiesandhaveanti moneylaunderingprotocolsinplace.Duediligenceisa must!Weworkwithcompaniestoestablishneeded processesandproceduresthatprotectthemfromwouldbe badactorsaswellasrunningafoulofgovernment

regulatoryoversight.Toprotectcompanydatafrom cybercrimebreaches,werecommendregulartrainingof employees.

Whatwouldbeyouradviceforaspiringwomen entrepreneursinlaw?

Haveavison.Decidewhoandwhatyouwanttobeand makeitso.Istartedoutpracticingcriminaldefenselaw straightoutoflawschool.Aftersevenyearsofpractice,I decidedIwantedtobeawhite-collarlawyer Thiswasand hasalwaysbeenanexclusiveindustry.Believeitanditwill happen!

Whatpeople,whatbooks,whatlifefactorshave influencedandimpactedyou?

Myparentswereentrepreneursinlaw,andtheyinstilledin methatbeliefthat“youcandoit!” Overmycareerthere havebeenseveralpeoplethathaveshapedwhoIamasa lawyer.BasedonthoserelationshipsIremindmyselfevery daythatthemostimportantassetIhaveismyintegrityand credibility.Iwillneverriskthatforanything.Asfaras booksgo,Ilovetoread,sofrequently,thelastbookIread ismycurrentfavorite!

WhatisyourvisionforKaplanMarinoforthenextfive years?

KaplanMarinoisonthemove,literally!Wewillbemoving tonewspacelaterthisyearthatwilldisplayourunique boutiquevibe.Iexpectinthenextfiveyearsourglobal reputationasawhite-collarcriminaldefenselawfirmwill befurtheredbythisnewspacewhichwillreflectour success,ourcommitmenttoourclients,andtheresultswe get.

“ “

Summer Kim-Davis, Founder, IKON Mortgage, Inc.

Summer Kim-Davis

Helping People Achieve their Dreams as Homeowners

Womendon’thavetobelikementoachieve

genderequality Allwehavetodoisembrace ourownfemininityandgrace,bydoingsowe willofferthegreatestcontributiontotheworld.Courageis graceunderpressure.Withournaturalgrace,womencan confrontanypressureandcrossoveranychallengesthat maycome.Itisimportantforwomentobeauthenticand courageoustoleadinthebusinessworldwithcut-throat competition.SummerKim-Davisisonesuchempowered womanwhoalsoencouragesotherwomentobeauthentic andcourageous,askingnevertolosethegracebeinga woman.Sheadviseswomentogoagainstthegrainandbe bold,andcourageousinthepursuitoftheirgoalswithout givingintotheopinionsofanyoneelse.SheistheFounder ofIKONMortgage,Inc.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,SummerKim-Davis sharesherjourneyandhercontributionthroughIKON Mortgage,Inc.

Below are the highlights of the interview: Takeourreadersthroughyourjourneybeingatthe helmofIKONMortgage,Inc.

IKONMortgage,Incwasfoundedin2016outofpure passionforexcellenceandoutstandingcustomerservice experienceformyclients.Istartedmycareerasamortgage consultantbackin2006livinginHonolulu,Hawaii,before ImovedtoDallas,TXin2010,whereIrealizedmyclient’s bestinterestswerenotinthevisionofCorporateAmerica, motivatingthefoundingofIKONMortgage,Inc.in2016. MostpeoplethinkthatIhaveafinancebackground,butin

fact,ImajoredinArtsandFashionincollege.Iwasnot interestedinmathorsciencewhenIwasgrowingup althoughIwasalwaysgoodwithnumbers.

Ibelievemycreativebackgroundhelpsmetothinkoutside theboxandfindingsolutionstouniquesituationswhen othersmayoverlook.About10yearsintomymortgage lendingcareer,Ihadaburningdesiretocreateaplatformto servemyclientsbetter,butIcouldnotfindacompanythat sharedmyvision.Aftermuchthoughtandplanning,Ibuilt thecourageforthebusinessadventure.Itwasnotaneasy decisiontostartacompanybecominganentrepreneur becauseIalwayslovedthesecurityandbenefitsthatcomes withworkinginthecorporateworld.Aftermanysleepless nights,Ifinallytookcouragetopullthetrigger.Idecidedto goall-inwithmyvisionandwillingtotaketheriskbecause Iwouldrathertryandfail,thanregretlater

Whatwerethechallengesyoucameacrossfoundingthe organization?

Thebiggestchallengewasadjustingtoanewroleasan entrepreneurbecauseIalwayslikedbeinganemployee havingsecurityofincome,benefits,andresourcesfromthe company WhenIfirststartedIKONMortgage,Inc.,Ihad nomentororrolemodel,soitwasachallengingtransition becauseIhadnoonetoturntooranywheretofind resourcesthatIneededwhenIfirsthadchallenges.Afew lessonsIhadtolearnthehardway,butIwasdeterminedto learnasquicklyasIcouldandembracemynewroleasan entrepreneur.Ifiguredouthowtosetupacompany, acquiringlicensestobecomeamortgagebrokerandnowa correspondinglender.Inordertoestablishstructurefrom

thegroundupIworemanyhats…amortgageadvisor, runningmarketing,sales,processing,loanorigination, closing,post-closing,customerservice,andCRM managementandthelistgoesonandon.Younameit.Ihad todothemallbymyselfinthebeginningandwearmany hatstogetthecompanystartedandoperating.

whatisyourideaofimpactfulleadership?Whatstyleof leadershipdoyoupersonallypreferandhave implementedatIKONMortgage?

IstartedreadingintenselyafterIstartedIKONMortgage, Inc.mainlybecauseIneededtoself-educateandimprovein ordertogrowtheteamandcompany.Ibelieveimpactful

leadershipisleadingbyexample.Goexploreplacesfirst,or testingthewaters,sotospeak,beforeItakeandleadmy teamthere.Myleadershipstyleisinfluencing,encouraging, empoweringthemtobethebestversionofthemselves, performattheirbestlevel,bethebesttheycanbe.I encourageexcellence.

Takingintoconsideration,thecurrentpandemic,andits impactonglobaleconomies,howareyoudrivingthe companytosustainoperationsandensuringsafetyof yourassociatesandemployeesatthesametime?

Istrivetoleadmyteaminhumilityandpracticethelean businessmodel.Wechoosequalityoverquantity Wehavea

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smallteamwithhigh-qualityindividualsandrunahighly efficientandstructuredsystem.Wewereabletosustain growthwhilenottakingonanyadditionalliabilities,sowe cancompensateourvaluableemployeesandbringbetter pricingtoourclientstokeepthemhappy Also,ourlean businessmodelhelpsustoleverageandpivotthedown marketasneededduringglobalpandemic.

Accordingtoyou,whatessentialtraitsshouldan entrepreneurpossetothriveinthepresent-day cutthroatbusinessecosystem?

Incontrarytothestereotype,Ibelievehumilityisan essentialtraittoovercomeandthriveincutthroatbusiness ecosystems.Youcan’trunaleanbusinessifyouhavea hugeegoanddesiretohaveallbellsandwhistles.Good reputationwithinthecompetitorshelpsandwebelieve therearealwaysmoreforeveryoneandwetrustourclients andtheirabilitytomakewisedecisionsforthemselves.We neverhavetotrashtalkourcompetitorstowintheclients. Webelievethatourjobistoeducateourclientssotheycan makeinformeddecisionswhetheritiswithus,orsomeone else.

Inwhatwayshaveyouorthecompanycontributedto thecommunity?Ifgivenachance,whatchangewould youbringinHomeMortgagefinancing&Conventional HomeMortgageforIndividuals,Institutionalclients, andCorporateIssuers?

Ourdreamandvisiontoraisethestandardinmortgage lendingindustry,beanexampleforoutstandingcustomer experience.

Whatpeople,whatbooks,whatlifefactorshave influencedandimpactedyou?

IamaChristianandGodisthebiggestinfluencerinmy life.Besidesthat,IloveJohnMaxwell’sleadershipbooks, DaleCarnage,DanielPink,PatrickLencioni,BreneBrown, JoyceMyers,andSimonSinekbooks.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetotheup-and-coming womenentrepreneursaspiringtoentertheFinancial ServicesIndustry?

Iwouldliketoencourageallwomentobeauthenticand courageous,neverlosethegracebeingawoman.Wedonot havetodemandourseatinmaledominatedindustry.Wedo nothavetobeloudandaggressivetoearntheseat.Wecan earntheseatwithourworks,excellence,andreputation.

Neverdoubtandletotherstodoubtwhoyouare,anddonot compromiseyourvaluesbecausethat’sthenorm.Go againstthegrainandbewillingtotryandfail.Riseupto tryagain.Bestrong,courageous,andbetruetoyourself. Embraceyourfemininitybecauseweareonlystrongwhen wecanbevulnerable.Mypersonalmottois“BeYou.Go AllIn.BeTransformed”. (inspiredbyBreneBrown booksbetweenGiftofImperfection,DaringGreatly,and RisingStrong)

The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business,

TAIWING TIAN

Leading to Bring Impact Around Her

Atrulyimpactfulleadershiphasdualfocuswhereit movesateamtowardsthegoalwhilealso nurturingtheirindividualgrowth.It’san impressiveact.Leaders,whomakeanimpact,recognize andprioritizetheirteammembers’growthasmuchastheir endgoal.Let’sreadaboutthestoryofonesuchbusiness personalitywhobelievesinsuchkindofleadershipand makinganactualimpactthroughit. “I think an impactful leadership is a combination of courage, humility, resilience, commitment, strength, hardworking, and with a warm heart,” TaiwingTian Co-founder says .Sheisthe of Switching-Timeandrecognizedtohaveatriumphedcareer atayoungage.Shefurtheradds “I personally prefer a leadership that is to listen, to inspire, to empower and to support. That’s the direction and style we try to shape our key leaders at the agency.”

AVisionaryApproach

TaiwingTianco-foundedSwitching-Timewithherpartner backin2012withthevisiontocreateuniqueandimpactful communicationsagencyinChinathatfocusesonFashion, Beauty,LuxuryandLifestyle.Ithasbeen9years,the businessandteamhadaveryhealthyandsignificant growth.Theyhavedevelopedalargeclientpoolofwellknowninternationalbrands,wonmultiawardsatkey internationalawardsprogramsbyprovidingworld-class workfortheirclients.Taiwingasserts “For the past 3 years, we have won 3 times in GOLD at Campaign Greater China Award. Setting it not only on par with 4A agencies, but ahead of them. This was a big recognization for our agency and our team.”

Inspiring

from

Elder

Taiwingconsidersherfatherasherinspiration.Shekeeps goingbacktoherchildhood,specificallygrowingupwith herdadandgetsinspiredbyhim,whohasalwaysbeenvery

kind,strongandhumble.Sherecallsoneofherdad’shobby taichi,agracefulformofexerciseinChina,assheusedto watchhimpracticingtaichisinceshewaslittle.This inspireshertopracticethecombinationofsoftandhard,to staycalm,andfocusoninnerstrengthandresilience.

PositiveWorkEnvironmentisEssential Taiwingbelievesapositiveworkcultureisveryimportant fortheiragency Asacommunicationsagency,peopleare themostvaluableassetstothem.Sheconsidershumility, respect,trustandcouragehasbeenalwaysimportantpartof thecompany’scultureatSwitching-Time. “We work as a team, support each other as a family, back up each other, like a family culture,” “We are saysTaiwing.Sheopines here to make sure we inspire, encourage each other daily, maintain positive energy and stay true to who we are.”

SustainingGrowththroughNovelWorkingApproaches

After9yearsofhealthygrowthandachievements,Taiwing nowfindsitchallengingtotakeSwitching-Timetoanother

leveltokeepasustainablegrowth.Shementionsthatin agencyindustry,wherethepressureisextremelyhigh,the commonchallengeishighstaffturnover,andthus,quality ofworkgetsaffectedandleadstoclientturnover.Thus,she believesinthegoldentrianglethatreflectsGrowth, ProbabilityandHappyteam.Shebelievesinkeepingteam motivatedtokeepthequality

Withitsteamleaders,Switching-TimelaunchedtheCEO strategy:CstandsforCurrentClientFocus,EforEducation andLearning,andOforOperationalExcellence.Taiwingis oftheopinionthattheagencyshouldgrowthroughfocus oncurrentclientsortheirreferrals.Thiswouldpositively impactteambalance,aswellasguaranteethequalityof work,asnotimewouldbewastedchasing“maybe” revenue.

Shebelievesthateducationmeansputtinggreatemphasis onteamcapabilitydevelopment,andthus,thecompany launchedstudentprogram( ), anacademyforallteam 学堂 members,bysupportfromexternaltrainingresources,to makesurepeopleworknotharderbutsmarter

TheteamatSwitching-Timelovestosupportlocalstartup brandsandusingitsexpertiseandservicestohelpthemto grow.Inthenextfiveyears,TaiwingwantsSwitching-Time toreinforceitsstatusofleadingintegratedcommunications agencyinChina,continuetobetheexpertinFashion, Beauty,luxury&lifestyleandkeepgrowingcurrentteamto becomethefuturebusinessleaders…

BelieveinYourself

AtSwitching-Time,90%oftheteammembersarewomen, andTaiwingseesthemasthefuturebusinessleadersof China.Onadvisingemergingbusinesswomenleaders,she opines “Believe in yourself, be bold & open, give 200% of energy and very important stay humble no matter at what stage. This will always lead you to somewhere.”

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Twanieka Alcindor, Manager and Consultant Barrister Alcindor Law

T w a n i e k a A l c i n d o r

Providing Expert Advocacy in Legal Matters

Legalactionscansometimesbeoverwhelmingfor

many.Havingexpert,empathetic,professional,and relatablelegalconsultanttoassistoneinthelegal proceedingsistheneedofmanypeople.Twanieka Alcindorisonesuchreputedandrelatablelegalconsultant whoassistspeopleintheirlegalproceedingswithher expertskills,empathy,andprofessionalism.Twaniekaisthe ManagerandConsultantBarristeroftheFranchise LawFirmAlcindorLaw,asapartofTuckersSolicitors Herpositioninvolvesmanagingasmallteamofsolicitors, barristers,andparalegalsinabusyhighstreetfirmin Brixton,London.AlcindorLawspecializesinCriminal defenselitigation,familylaw,andconveyancing,anditalso assistsincross-jurisdictionalmattersintheCommonwealth IslandofJamaica.

AlcindorLawassistshundredsofclientseachyear providinghigh-qualitylegalrepresentationandexpert advocacyinavarietyoflegalmatters.Twaniekais responsibleforthetraining,professionaldevelopment,and supervisionofallfee-earnersinthefirmandpersonally supervisethecasemanagementofeverysinglecasethatthe firmisinstructedin.Twaniekafurtherappearsasthe instructedadvocateinthecourtproceedings.

Besides,TwaniekaistheWinnerofWomeninLawawards 2020-RisingStar-LegalServicesInnovatoroftheYear. SheistheNomineeofInspirationalWomeninLawAwards intheInspirationalWomanoftheYear,Under35Lawyerof theYearcategory2019.SheistheFounderofPro-bonolaw clinic‘LawyersintheSoupKitchen’since2014which providesfreelegaladviceandassistancetothosewithout accesstolegalresourcesatitsweeklyadviceclinic.

IncorporatingRemoteWorkinginLegalPractice

DuringthepandemicAlcindorLawhasexperiencedseveral challengesinprovidinglegalexpertisetoitsclients.Firstly, thekeychallengewasfacilitatingcontactwithitsclients whoarecurrentlyonremandincustody.Manyofthe prisonswereill-equippedtocopewiththesuddenincrease inrequestsforremotevideolinkstothecourtforclientsto attendcourtremotely.Coupledwiththiscamethe prioritisingoftheavailableremotevideoslotsbeing reservedonlyforcourtattendancesinseveralprisonswhich meantthatevenwheretherewasavailabilityforavideo conferencewiththeclient’slegalrepresentativesthesewere notpermitted.Toadd,manyprisonssimplydidnothavethe facilitiesorclosedtheprisontoalllegalvisits.

Thesechallengesmeantthatformanymonthswewere unabletoseeourclientsincustody Theywereunabletobe properlyadvisedintimefortheirhearingsandAlcinderhad todependontelephonecallsandsendinghundredsof lettersandcopiesofcasepaperstobeabletotakeits client’sinstructionsandadvisethem.

Theotherchallengethatthecompanycontinuesto experienceisthatduetothehighpopulationofprisonersin theUKprisonstherehavebeensignificantadditionaldelays incaseprogressionasmanyclientsarenotbeingproduced atcourtfortheirhearingseitherinpersonorremotelyas theyarerequiredtoisolateiftheydisplayCovid-19 symptomsoranyoneontheirprisonwingdoes.Thismeans thatevenifaclienthasnothimselfdisplayedsymptoms,he isunabletoattendcourtorhaveavideoconferencewithhis legalrepresentativesuntiltheentirewingorthoseonhis floorhaveisolatedandreturnednegativeCOVID-19tests.

The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2021

ThishasparticularlycauseddifficultiesforAlcinder’s vulnerableclientsandthosewhohavebeenremandedin custodyfortheveryfirsttime.Thecompanyhassoughtto overcomesomeofthesechallengesbymakingbetteruseof writtencorrespondence,emailtoaprisonerandsecuring bailforitsremandclientsintheirabsence.

EnsuringJusticetoDisadvantagedPeople

Asafirmandaspartofitswidercommunity,AlcindorLaw providesfreepro-bonolegalassistanceatweeklywalking/ remotesessionsattheBrixtonSoupKitchen.Itspro-bono initiativecontributessignificantlytoitscommunityby providinglegalassistanceandguidancetothoseoflimited legalresourcesinavarietyoflegalmatters.

Therecentlegalaidcutshaveresultedinanincreased amountofpeoplenolongerbeingeligibleforlegalaid whichbothpreventsanddetersmanyfromhavingaccessto justiceorlegalrecourse.AlcindorLawattemptsatnotonly providinglegalassistance,butitalsotakeseffortsat equippingthosetowhomthejusticesystemisalienwiththe skillsandknowledgerequiredtohelpthemselveswiththeir legalproblemsandtherebycontributestothegenerallegal knowledgeofitscommunity.

AlcindorLaw’scommunityhomesmanysocially disadvantagedpeoplewhogenerallyviewthelawwitha negativelightduetotheirlackofknowledgeorexposure. Throughthepro-bonoprojectLawyersintheSoup Kitchen’syouthcrimeinitiative,You-tubefilm‘Brixtonon Trial’becamethefirstmock-trialtobefilmedintheRoyal CourtsofJusticeandsaw30studentsfromthelocalareasit asajuryinareal-lifemurdertrialtoeducatethemonthe impactandconsequencesofknifecrimeandfurtherprovide themaccesstolegalprofessionalsfrombackgrounds similartotheirown.

AddressingtheIssuesofVulnerablePeople

IfAlcindorLawwereabletobringaboutchangeforcivil libertieswithpoliceactions,itwouldencouragethe creationofataskforceseparatetotheIndependentOffice forPoliceConducttoaddressthedisparityinthetypesof complaintsagainstthepolicemadebyBAMEindividuals. Twaniekabelieveswithstatisticssohighandtheamountof BAMEindividualsthatdonotproceedwithactionsagainst thepoliceduetotheirmistrustofthesystemandprocesses beingunfair,aseparatetaskforceshouldbecreatedto addresstheseissues.Thistaskforcewouldgoalongwayto

holdingthepoliceaccountablewhenexcessiveor unnecessaryforceisusedagainstadetainee.

FightingAgainstOddstoAchieveDesiredResults

ThebookthatimpactedTwaniekarecentlyis‘Inyour defense’bySarahLangford.Twaniekastatesthatitisa bookthatinspiredhope,determinationandreinforcedher decisiontotirelesslyfightagainstinjustice.Additionally, Twaniekaisinfluencedandimpactedbyherdeceased Great-Grandmother‘RachelAlcindor’.Twanieka’sGreatGrandmother’smottothat‘withhardworkand determinationonecanachieveanythingoneputsone’s mindto’wassomethingthatkepthermotivatedthroughout herstudiesandcontinuestomotivateherthroughouther career.

ThefirmisnamedafterTwanieka’sGreat-Grandmotheras itrepresentsitseffortstofightagainsttheoddstoachieve thedesiredresults.Twaniekastatesthatitisaconstant reminderthatnomatterwhereonestartsinlife,onecan determinewhereoneultimatelywouldendup.Evidenceto thisisTwanieka’sownpersonaljourneyfrom‘Brixtonto theBar’asayoungchildfromaBrixtoncounselestateand asingleparenthomewhoaspiredtoachieve,anddidso, pavingthewayforthosewhoweretocome.

Slow and steady winsthe race.

MaintainingHighLevelsofDiversitybyBeingInclusive

AlcindorLaw’sreputationasadiverseandrelatableteam oflawyersissomethingthatitisveryproudof.Itsteam consistsof80%womenand100%ofitsteammembersare fromnon-traditionaldiversebackgroundsincluding membersoftheBAMEcommunityandfurtherthosewho arethefirstgenerationintheirfamilytoattenduniversity.

Twanieka’svisionforthefirmisthatinthenextfiveyears, itwillcontinuetodevelopitsreputationformaintaining highlevelsofdiversitythroughoutthefirm.Thiswillgo towardschangingthediversityoftheprofessionasawhole andensuringthatthecompanycontinuestopromoteaccess tojusticeandcareersinlawtothewidersociety.

AlcindorLawwishestotackleracialdisparityinthe criminaljusticesystematalllevelsaswashighlightedby theLammyReview(2020)whichdetailedthattheJury systemistheonlyelementoftheCriminaljusticesystem wheredefendantsaretreatedfairlyintermsofrace.