women's initatives

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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.

Many of those in the legal marketing industry already know of Susan Freeman because of her strong online presence and ability to gather and support other women. Susan is the epitome of what is means to be a woman who supports other women. She’s been kind and helpful to me through the years, and she is a role model for all of us in terms of using her platform for the greater good.

I asked Susan to be part of the Women Who Wow series, which is running not only during March, Women’s History Month, but throughout the year, because she selflessly promotes so many others, and I thought it was time to shine a spotlight on her. Thank you Susan for all you do for our industry and for women. Learn more about her.

Throughout the month of March and beyond, I will be spotlighting “women who wow” me on the blog– these are women I’ve met through my professional and personal lives. They are leaders who inspire and awe me, and push me to be a better version of myself. They are role models for the future generation of women. I think we can all learn from them.

Today I’m highlighting Carolyn Sandano, who I have known for many years through the Legal Marketing Association. Carolyn is a seasoned legal marketer who is always calm under pressure and offers wise advice. I can think of many occasions where she has supported not only me but other women and been generous with her time and counsel. Get to know more about Carolyn.

Throughout the month of March and beyond, I will be featuring spotlights with “women who wow” me – these are women I’ve met through my professional and personal lives. They are leaders in their fields who inspire me and push me to be a better version of myself. They are role models for the future generation of women.

In the first installment, meet Emily Joslin, a lifelong New Yorker who recently relocated to Florida for the next chapter of her life. Her career has pivoted in a very interesting way – she was a marketing executive in the financial services industry for many years, an entrepreneur in the wellness area and the founder of a nonprofit organization that sought to put kids on the path to philanthropy before she entered the entertainment business as an on-air host in Florida for a lifestyle show, Fly with Kevin Scott.

Emily is kind and strong, she is inspiring to me in so many ways. I met her unconventionally – we bonded over a shared connection and our experience with that person. We supported each other and became friends – I immensely value her advice and friendship. Emily is a great mom and friend, and she’s someone you should know more about. Here’s my interview with her.