I’ve been working on a series featuring women who have “wowed” me. You’ll be seeing their profiles on the blog throughout March in honor of Women’s History Month, as well as throughout the year, because there are so many amazing women doing amazing things.

In this installment, learn more about Chicago-based Holly Barocio, a senior consultant at GrowthPlay.

Holly has wowed me since I first met her at a Legal Marketing Association Conference several years ago. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview her about the LMA’s diversity and inclusion efforts as part of my live reporting duties for the LMA Conference. I was impressed with her poise, intelligence and enthusiasm for advancing this important initiative. Since then, I’ve run into Holly at many industry events and seen her speak often, and have learned many things from her. She’s a leader in her field and an advocate for our industry. Learn more about her.

In this installment of Women Who Wow, meet Wilmington-based Jennifer Smuts, the Chief Marketing Officer at Connolly Gallagher. Jenn has been a longtime volunteer of the Legal Marketing Association and has held various leadership roles in the organization. I met Jennifer through the LMA, and we clicked right away. I admire her for many reasons, including the fact that she truly is supportive to other women in the industry and is one of those people who gives to others without expecting anything in return.

Recently, Jennifer joined 2020 Women On Boards, whose overall goal is to educate women about how they can navigate their own contacts to get on corporate boards and be a part of the larger national conversation, an incredibly worthwhile cause to give women a seat at the table (you can read more about her work with them below).

Jahna Barbar is a Woman Who Wows for many reasons – she has a successful career as the regional Marketing & Business Development Manager at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, she dedicates her time to volunteering for the Legal Marketing Association, where she has held multiple leadership roles, and she is a role model for women in many ways.

I met Jahna though our mutual work for the LMA, and I was immediately impressed with her – she was not only smart, but she was kind and she has the wholehearted enthusiasm for what she does – whether in the office or in her volunteer work that I recognize in myself. She is the kind of person who gives 200% to everything she does. I’ve seen her support other women and be an advocate for future leaders, and that’s a trait that we need more than ever today. Learn more about Jahna.

Karen Kahn, is the Founder and Managing Partner of Threshold Advisors, LLC, as well as a certified coach, psychologist and consultant.

I just had to meet Karen after my mentor Wendy Bernero gave me Karen’s book to read.

The book, Daunting to Doable, helps lawyers become successful at developing relationships and business through a series of small, daily actions that can be woven into the typical flow of your personal and professional life.

I have used principles from the book in everything I’ve done since meeting Karen five years ago.

Karen is a Women Who Wows for many reasons, including pivoting into this career later in life, showing us all that it is never too late to do what you love. She is also humble, kind and generous with her time and advice. Learn more about Karen.