Q: Felicity, tell us about one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your career?

Throughout my 20+ year career, I’ve been fortunate to work with incredibly talented individuals who have shaped my journey in ways I never could have never imagined. One lesson that stands out was from a previous manager—an exceptional attorney who was smart, strategic, and business-oriented. 

One day, he announced that he was leaving his legal role to pursue a purely business position. At the time, I had no idea this was even possible! How could someone like him pivot away from the career path we both shared? I had so many questions, but what that moment made me realize is that I, too, had control over my career and, more importantly, I was the one who could define my path.

Q: Have you always had this sense of career ownership?

It wasn’t always like that for me. Early in my career, I didn’t take much initiative to “own” my trajectory. I followed the traditional lawyer’s path—spending several years in a law firm before moving in-house, just as many attorneys before me had done. I grew in my role and took on more responsibilities as they were given to me. But when my manager made his career shift, I realized I wasn’t creating my own opportunities. Instead, I was waiting for someone to tell me what to do next.

At the time, I’m not even sure I knew exactly what I wanted. But what mattered was that I realized I had the control to choose my path. That understanding was incredibly empowering.

Q: What steps did you take to create the path you wanted?

I took a step back to assess what I truly wanted from my career. Through self-reflection and discussions with mentors, family, and friends, I realized that I wanted to lead a legal team while also being part of a business that I felt passionate about. On a personal level, I knew my family had to be a priority—I wanted to provide for them and be present as a parent. Understanding these goals gave me the clarity I needed to take action.

From there, I mapped out the steps I needed to take. I looked for in-house roles that would allow me to expand my practice areas and gain the experience necessary for my career goals. I chose to pivot from a specialized M&A-focused role into a more generalized legal position. That shift wasn’t easy, but it changed everything. It gave me the space to understand what I liked, what I didn’t, and ultimately to create a role that worked for me. That empowerment led me to my current role as Chief Legal Officer.

Q: Love that! And how did this shift impact your personal life?

By finding a role that better aligned with my passions, I was able to strike a better balance and be more present with my family. More importantly, it gave me the chance to model for my children the idea that they, too, can create careers that work for them—not the other way around. I also showed them the importance of work-life integration, resilience, and being responsible for one’s own happiness and success.

Q: What advice would you give to others looking to take control of their career paths?

You are the one who defines your path. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what’s next. Figure out what works for you, and have the courage to take action toward it. As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the theme of “Accelerating Action,” I challenge you to reflect on what truly matters to you and where you want your path to lead. Forget what it should look like on paper, or what others have told you it should look like. Understand your values, identify what makes you thrive, and be bold enough to create a path for yourself that aligns with those principles. Taking action—whether big or small—isn’t just empowering; it’s essential.