Had a rollicking prep call with moderator Steven R. Ongenaet of Nexl and fellow panelists Gillian Ward of Reed Smith LLP and Ivan Ivanovitch, MBA of Ambition today. This promises to be a fun and informative discussion.

Join us for “How to succeed in a new marketing or BD leadership role” on August 3 at 11 am central – register here.

Webinar Description

Stepping into a senior marketing or business development role at a law firm is an opportunity that comes with pressure to earn the trust of partners and deliver results quickly.

Join Gillian Ward, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Reed Smith, Roy Sexton, Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder, and Ivan Ivanovitch, Client & Markets Advisor at Ambition, for a discussion on what it takes to thrive in a new marketing or BD leadership role, moderated by Steven Ongenaet, VP of Client Services & EMEA Managing Director at Nexl.

In the session, our speakers will discuss:

• What to expect from your first 90 days of a new role and what tends to differ from expectations
• How to earn credibility with partners and firm leadership early
• Tips for bringing marketing and business development together across offices and teams
• How to build and lead a team through the uncertainty of leadership change

Whether you are starting a new leadership role or preparing for your next move, this session will provide practical guidance you can put to work from your first day.

Speakers

Gillian Ward

Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Reed Smith

Gillian Ward has over 20 years of experience in professional services and has successfully led global teams of marketing, business development, and communications professionals through large-scale transformations to drive revenue and strengthen the brand of leading international law firms.

As the Global Chief Marketing Officer at AmLaw 50 firms, Gillian has served on the Leadership Team and the Executive Board, where she developed strategic plans and guided their implementation across multiple regions and practice sectors. She has managed teams of more than 100 professionals worldwide, delivering impactful initiatives that accelerate growth in both domestic and international markets.

Gillian’s executive education from Stanford University and Harvard Law School, together with her triple citizenship, provide her with a distinctive global perspective and a strong foundation for innovative leadership. She is passionate about delivering excellence, innovation, and measurable value to clients and stakeholders, while inspiring her teams to embrace creativity and continuous improvement.Less

Roy Sexton

Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder

Roy Sexton is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vedder. He is responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s overall marketing strategy and overseeing all projects and personnel in the marketing department.

Roy brings over 25 years of experience in various industries with nearly 15 years of experience in the legal marketing field at prominent global firms. His career knowledge includes public relations and marketing planning, business development strategy, digital and social media outreach, attorney onboarding and practice development.

Beginning in 2020, he served as an active international board member of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and was elected as the organization’s International President from 2023 to 2024.

Roy has also been recognized by a number of legal publications and organizations including Crain’s, INvolve People and Corp! Magazine for his leadership capabilities, particularly as an executive within the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout his career, he has served as a board member for a number of Michigan-based charitable organizations, such as the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and Ronald McDonald House Charities.Less

Ivan Ivanovitch

Client & Markets Advisor at Ambition

Ian is the Clients & Markets Advisor at Ambition, focusing on executive search engagements, specializing in law firm leadership roles, including C-Suite positions such as Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Accounting and Finance, and Director of Professional Development.

His understanding of law firms helps him serve as a strategic advisor in the areas of team structure, core competencies and talent search strategy, enabling clients to secure candidates that align with their firm’s unique needs.Less

Steven Ongenaet

VP of Client Services & EMEA Managing Director at Nexl

With a wealth of experience spanning numerous years in business development within the legal sector, Steven leads our Client Services team. He orchestrates the strategic implementation of personalized solutions, ensuring each client receives unparalleled satisfaction. Steven is committed to fostering meaningful and enduring client relationships, consistently exceeding expectations, and meticulously overseeing the seamless and exceptional delivery of our services. His extensive background contributes to a results-driven approach, aiming not only to meet but to surpass client needs, solidifying our commitment to excellence and client success.

P.S. from the other side of my life …

Thank you, Jerry Davich and The Times of Northwest Indiana, for this thoughtful, nuanced, balanced, and, yes, loving piece about fireworks in our neck of the woods. When one person’s joy causes another’s pain, well, fireworks of a different kind inevitably ensue. But I appreciate how you gave voice to concerns, hopefully opening up some empathetic dialogue.

And gratified that some of my musings were incorporated into the column!

“What is really missing here is the nuanced conversation about guidance and guard rails, neighborly consideration, timing, and decibel levels,” Sexton commented.

Read here.