As the mother of a 15-year-old, I constantly marvel at my daughter’s ability to embrace innovation and change. I am also heartened by the fact that, notwithstanding its many imperfections, her generation is more communicative, global, multicultural and inclusive than any generation that has preceded it. Her world — today’s world, it would seem, is a courageous, fast-moving and truly connected global family.
As the product of a multicultural marriage myself, I have always believed that the world is made a better place when people from different backgrounds and cultures work together to solve problems, see each other’s point of view and share experiences. It’s the reason I was attracted to the practice of law — and more specifically the role of an in-house lawyer. Great in-house counsel are adept at communicating, collaborating and problem solving. They accordingly have a special role to play in helping business people see things from different perspectives and find solutions — especially in the ever-evolving, fast-paced modern world.
As chief legal and corporate affairs officer at Anheuser-Busch InBev, I (like you) strive together with my team to be a partner to the business we serve — to bring people together across borders and disciplines, to keep pace with change, and to find solutions. As an organization, ACC strives to be a partner to you — working hard to create resources, educational events, technological solutions and networking opportunities that not only support your needs as a modern in-house counsel, but also anticipate them. Your role as in-house counsel has evolved tremendously in this new global era — and ACC continuously strives to evolve with you.
Two important examples of ACC’s efforts in this area include the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) and the recently forged alliance with the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association. ELI — with programs in both the United States and Europe — is a nomination-based program tailored to prepare the next generation of GCs for the expanded role of general counsel. Further, the alliance with the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association, now ACC Australia (ACLA), brings about increased global resources and networking opportunities, and plays an essential role in expanding and strengthening ACC’s international footprint and service to in-house lawyers worldwide.
Of course, achievements like this would not have been possible without great leadership. I have to thank Immediate Past Chair John Page for working so hard to elevate the association to the next level by being a champion for diversity and inclusion in our profession — a foundation upon which I would hope to build. I also aim to continue the tradition of expanding ACC membership: During his time as chair, the association grew to over 40,000 members located in 85 countries.
I begin my term as ACC chair with great excitement. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of exceptional leaders and even more grateful to work with a board of directors, president and team so dedicated to the success of the global in-house bar. Together we will work hard to continue to deliver against ACC’s many commitments to its members. Because, like the world so embraced by my daughter’s generation, ACC understands that we are all a part of one ever-evolving global family
