Leadership & Management

"The best part of the job is being able to see the tangible results," says Nichole D. Cortese of Loeb & Loeb in New York City.

"Remaining focused on accomplishing clients' goals has helped me move through this difficult period and feel like I have contributed to the well-being of my clients, and the survival of the city I grew up in, and love dearly," says Mindy H. Stern of Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas.

In this interview with Nicole White, the incoming chief legal officer of Avison Young, we discuss the value of mentorship and how to propel your legal career to the next level, and she shares her "aha" moment about how she had to make a big change to grow her career.

"My mother taught me to think of myself as a work in progress, to always aim higher and to be intellectually curious," says John Usdan of Midwood Investment & Development.

"You can achieve anything when you commit yourself to it, work your hardest, and operate with complete integrity," says Shlomi Avdoo of Avdoo & Partners.

"Success takes clarity, consistent action, determination and commitment. It is important to not waste too much energy or attention when you want to give-up. Keep your eye on the prize, stay focused and keep moving," says Deb Cleveland of Small Town Dynasty.

"By taking jobs with the right firms applying the right strategies, I worked my way into roles where I learned even more than I would have expected, which furthered my career."

"What I have learned and observed along the way is that having a diverse workforce is a powerful business strategy. You have a broader perspective to offer clients when your team represents a wide range of thoughts, genders and experiences," says Juan Bueno of Avison Young.