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If there’s one thing that attorney Jessica J. Marquez wants you to know about leading your team through transformative change, it’s that success does not depend on a perfectly outlined path or plan. Instead, “what success requires is readiness to learn, adapt, and continuingly embrace new challenges that sharpen your change skills,” she says.
Before she became chief legal officer (CLO) at the direct-selling company Hy Cite, Marquez explored the private practice of law, government service, and in-house positions at a Fortune 500 financial services company. Her professional journey required her to navigate new cultures and adapt to a myriad of communication styles. These experiences also taught her many lessons on organizational leadership and what behaviors are productive (or not productive). Collectively, these experiences shaped and created the tools that she now uses to lead her own team.
Marquez encourages young attorneys to wholeheartedly embrace this valuable lesson: “New, different, and even unexpected opportunities can equip you with the essential skills necessary to eventually lead your team through transformative moments,” she says. “It is imperative that you cultivate a mindset of welcoming each fresh challenge. Keep your eyes open for new opportunities; they are stepping stones to future success.”
Marquez’s entrance to Hy Cite in 2014, initially as its general counsel and chief compliance officer, was perfectly timed for her to apply her uniquely collected skill set. Her primary task was to help the organization prepare for growth and scale while maintaining its commitment to quality and family culture. In the last 10 years, Hy Cite has nearly tripled its business, opened several markets in places like Colombia and Peru, and transformed from a mid- to large-size operation to a global enterprise.
Jessica J. Marquez
“There’s no magic potion to create a successful team. You will make mistakes as a leader, you will fail as a team, and there will be challenges.”
The mindset Marquez brings to change is one she often shares with her team. She proudly oversees a diverse group of professionals from different cultures and countries and taps into her learnings in communication and connection to be a transparent and encouraging leader.
When communicating with your team about change, she says, “Be direct and transparent about the challenges ahead. Let them know getting the job done will require much time and effort. While at times, they may want to stop and give up, they need to continue forward to see through the results of that journey. Doing so can be a tremendously rewarding experience for them personally and for their careers.
“There’s no magic potion to create a successful team. You will make mistakes as a leader, you will fail as a team, and there will be challenges,” she continues candidly. “But you must preserve and keep your eye on the big-picture, long-term objectives. To do so, you need [to lead with] complete honesty about the effort required and provide crucial guidance and support to maintain mutual trust.”
Marquez reached CLO status two years ago and is now also responsible for implementing the organization’s environmental, social, and governance program. She advises up-and-coming lawyers to remain open to new experiences, even they’re not directly related to law. One example is the development of programs like Hy Cite Gives Back, which is built on the company’s tradition of supporting humanitarian organizations that prioritize nutrition, community involvement, and Hispanic empowerment.
“It is imperative that you cultivate a mindset of welcoming each fresh challenge. Keep your eyes open for new opportunities; they are stepping stones to future success.”
Jessica J. Marquez
Another is the Connected to Grow program, a culture-driven employee resource group focused on creating a network for women to bond and find community to “promote company culture, corporate citizenship, and allows us to connect with our communities,” Marquez says.
These programs have shown tremendous success in the organization, and Newsweek recently recognized Hy Cite as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024.
“When you first start as an executive, you want everything to be perfect,” she says. “Truth is, that is rarely the case when it comes to transformative change. Check your ego at the door, acknowledge the challenges, learn from each one, and then move forward!”
