Women's History Month 2024 - Courtney Keller
Can you share an experience where a company or mentor made a significant investment in your development? What form did this investment take? Was is through training programs, mentorship, financial support, or something else?
One of the biggest investments someone has made in my development came directly through CREW Orlando. It may seem like the smallest gesture, but it really made a huge impact in my professional life. When I was a fairly new CREW member and a young professional in my career as a lawyer, Jen Pollock—who I know probably has no clue I feel this way—placed trust in me and asked me to Co-Chair the UCREW committee after I was in the organization just one short year. I had no real understanding of what CREW really even was at the time but it would have been one of the first leadership roles I ever took on. Jen mentored me as I helped lead the committee and provided invaluable support and encouragement. Her confidence in me helped me develop confidence in myself.
How did this investment impact your skills and abilities in your role?
I have always believed that confidence is key to being successful in your career and successful as a leader. Until we develop the confidence in ourselves, we tend to second guess ourselves and are less inclined to take legitimate business risks that are needed to grow our career and our organizations. The confidence that Jen helped me to develop in myself impacted my career by helping me to understand how to grow that confidence in other areas of my life—like my substantive work product, client interactions, business pitches and the like. It also ultimately helped me be a more effective leader and Co-managing partner of our Orlando office. I am able to make decisions that I am comfortable making and without fear that I am doing something wrong. I am able to take risks to further my own career path, as well as the future of my firm’s Orlando office.
Did this investment lead to any promotions or advancements in your career?
Most definitely. I am positive that one “small” investment led to me getting the skills needed to develop my business clients and to my leadership role as the Administrative Shareholder for our Orlando Office.
Have you ever paid forward the investment you received by mentoring other or advocating for similar opportunities within your organization?
Absolutely. I now serve in various formal and informal mentorship capacities in my firm, and have also served as a mentor in other organizations throughout the community. Notably, I am currently mentoring a female and male associate in our firm by helping them on their path to becoming shareholder at Greenberg Traurig. I feel it is our duty as shareholders and as a firm to provide mentorship and guidance to our associates to help them succeed in our firm and in their careers. Most recently, I was asked to be a Mentor by the OBJ for Mentoring Monday, which was a phenomenal opportunity for our community.
How do you think your career trajectory would have been different if you hadn’t received this investment?
I am not sure that it would have changed it dramatically. It may just have taken a little longer for me to get where I am. Fortunately, there are a lot of Jennifer Pollocks out there who are ready, willing and able to invest in others. I fully believe someone else would have done the same had she not been there in the first instance.
Looking back, what advice would you give others who are seeking similar support or investment in their own careers?
When you are a young professional or new to your career, it is important to observe those in your field, and identify the people who excel in the areas that are important to you. If you desire to be successful in your professional and personal life, then find someone else who is and ask them to be your mentor. I have never seen anyone with those qualities turn down an opportunity to be a mentor. On the contrary, most successful people are quite humble because they have worked hard for their success and they are usually honored to be asked to mentor a young professional.