- When you began your career, did you ever imagine you would have a leadership role in this profession/industry?
While I may not have initially envisioned becoming a CEO of this law firm, I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have led me to this position. This is my twentieth year with MacElree Harvey, and many of us have worked together for a long time. I consider myself fortunate to enjoy the work that I do, the people that I work with and for an organization with values that I believe in.
- What are the benefits to having women in leadership?
Women in leadership promotes diversity of thought, enhances creativity and fosters a more inclusive workplace. Women leaders often bring unique perspectives, skills and strengths to the workplace. Generally speaking, women tend to be empathetic and emotionally intelligent which are great qualities in leadership. Additionally, studies suggest that gender-diverse leadership teams can improve financial performance and overall effectiveness. For example, MacElree Harvey has seen its gross revenue over 5 years grow 45% and profits grew 39%.
- How do you believe your unique perspective as a female CEO contributes to the overall success and diversity of MacElree Harvey?
My career at MacElree Harvey began in 2004 as a Staff Accountant. I have served the firm in many roles including COO, CFO, CEO. Rising through the ranks while raising a family and going to school at night has granted me the opportunity to see various perspectives at different levels. Having the background and longevity with the firm allows a unique approach to leadership and assists with the overall vision of the firm. Throughout the years we have been able to shape the culture into what it is today and we are proud to have won Best Places to Work 2018-2022 and Top Workplaces 2023.
As a law firm, we have demonstrated a commitment towards increasing women’s access to advancement through our culture and practices. Below are just a few examples:
- Open door policy to promote on-going communication to address the needs of its employees.
- Offers health and wellness programs, including mindful meditation, chair yoga, and nutrition seminars.
- Compensation structure is based on a formula creating equal compensation opportunity for women and men.
- Measures performance based on results, not attendance. Work schedule flexibility, including the opportunity for revenue generating roles to work from home to support work-life balance while meeting the needs of clients.
- Fosters and promotes women in leadership positions and advancement within the Firm.
- Provides training and resources to support women’s professional development and the growth of their business and network, including continuing education and marketing.
- Encourages mentoring of attorneys to support their practice, development and job satisfaction.
- What qualities make a great female leader?
Integrity: consistency in actions, honesty, and commitment to ethical behavior. Empathy: understanding and considering the perspectives and feelings of others. Vision: a clear vision and the ability to inspire others to work toward common goals. Accountability: taking responsibility for actions and outcomes of decisions. Strategic thinking: ability to think long-term and plan for the future. Able to navigate change effectively.
- What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?
Believe in yourself: cultivate self-confidence and believe in your abilities. Trust that you have the skills and resilience to overcome challenges. Embrace challenges: view challenges as opportunities for growth. Embrace them, learn from them, and use them to strengthen your skills and leadership abilities. Advocate for others: lift as you would climb. Support your peers and use your position to create opportunities for other who are willing to put the effort in.
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