Kathy Barlow
Kathy Barlow is Senior Vice President at Marsh & McLennan Companies, a premier global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital. In her role, Kathy manages clients and develops business. She has combined a law degree from Emory University with an undergraduate degree from Cornell University to become an extremely successful business woman and an extraordinary networker.
1. Your professional experience started as a litigator with a small DC law firm, then In-house Counsel at a large financial institution, followed by a transactional lawyer at Arent Fox, General Counsel at The Bernstein Companies and now SVP at Marsh & McLennan. What valuable lessons have you learned from those experiences?
It was during my position as first-chair litigator that I really learned to build client relationships internally with c-suite executives. When I was In-house Counsel for a large financial institution, I gained valuable experience from litigating a major race discrimination lawsuit. This honed my skills and allowed me to develop a strong rapport with the clients at all levels of the organization. As a female attorney in a largely male industry, it was through those experiences, that my career was enhanced by learning how to sink or swim.
2. What key lesson have you learned from the culmination of your professional growth and experience?
Always make your clients, and prospective clients “top of mind”. When I see something in the news, a piece of litigation, a sports team they like or a new regulation that impacts them, I send it to them with a brief note. It is very rewarding to work with clients you like, and many clients have become friends. If I know someone who may be a valuable connection to a client, I introduce them. I have probably helped twenty people find their next great job. I’m a connector and get a lot of personal satisfaction from it. A mantra of mine is, “pay it forward.” You have to assume that out there in the universe, it comes back. It may take two years or two days but it doesn’t make any difference. You just have to put it out there.
3. Throughout your career, you’ve been involved in leadership positions in many women’s professional groups such as Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Women In Construction (WIC), Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia (WBADC) and Women’s Leadership & Mentoring Alliance (WLMA). What do you get out of it?
I get jazzed meeting great professional women. I’ve usually worked for male bosses so these organizations provide industry information and intelligence, professional information and great friends. I’m a natural extrovert and I think it’s helpful — especially in the business world.
4. How do you use the networking system to build credibility?
When someone is doing a great job whether it’s externally or internally, I tell them, and do it right when I’m thinking about it. I’ll email the boss of another colleague when he/she does a great job on a specific project or transaction. My boss works in another city and unless I keep him aware of my involvement in the business community by staying involved in different professional organizations, he might never know. Too often women don’t want to be seen as “self-promoting.” But let’s face it, guys do it like breathing. If you’re not keeping your boss aware of how you’re adding value to your organization, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
5. How does involvement in today’s professional and community organizations impact women’s confidence and leadership skills?
By participating in professional organizations, women are validating themselves in the external world. The only way to differentiate an organization is by its people. If a company’s top people are out there participating on committees and boards and volunteering their time, it’s branding the organization in a positive way. When I was promoted to Senior Vice President this year, my boss told me it was in part to recognize me for the things I’ve done to help brand Marsh in our community. That’s what companies want.
6. How have mentors impacted your career?
I may use the word “mentors” differently than most. Mentors can include anyone I can call and ask for professional or career advice at different steps along the way. I have a personal “Board of Directors” that consists of a college friend and several other professional women who I know well and have great respect for and confidence in. In today’s environment, you have to be proactive and take responsibility for your own career.
Kathy is not only smart but she could have written the book on “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Kathy is married to her college sweetheart who she has known for 30 years and has two teen-agers, ages 18 and 15. If you haven’t met Kathy, I’m sure you will.
