Vanguard

Kristin Lamb and the ōURA legal team play a pivotal role in the young company's product launches and innovations, protecting and enabling growth. Their proactive involvement safeguards the company’s interests and fosters an environment where creativity and compliance coexist, empowering the business with confidence. A few years ago, ōURA was the only smart ring on the market, a solitary innovator in a niche yet unproven category. But the landscape soon changed. The arrival of major players like Samsung lent credibility to the space. The number of competitors skyrocketed, and now ōURA tracks over 120 different smart rings. Lamb had to quickly adapt ōURA’s IP strategy to address this new reality, balancing the need to protect ideas without prematurely revealing the company’s roadmap. **Produced by Julianna Roche

For?Dylan Pollack working as an in-house lawyer and leading the employment law department he built is similar to when he is bowling or teeing it up at one of the New York area golf courses he plays when he gets the chance. “You can bowl a strike or hit a great drive, but you have to immediately get your mind ready for the next frame or shot,” says Pollack. “It is the same as an in-house employment lawyer.” As the managing director, assistant general counsel and lead counsel for the?Deloitte?employment law department, Pollack has carved out an impressive niche at the intersection of employment law and organizational leadership. **Produced by Andrew Wright & Jody Robbins

Being the general counsel of a growing public company presents unique challenges that require patience, a willingness to learn, strategic foresight, adaptability, and a strong team of legal experts. Matthew Cullen?strives to bring precisely that to the table for?Porch Group, where he serves as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. **Produced by Matthew Warner

Joining a company as its first general counsel is an exciting yet challenging role that requires strategic thinking, adaptability and leadership. Without an established framework or precedent within the organization, the general counsel often starts with a blank slate. This is what?Devin Taylor?dealt with when he joined?Beyond Risk?as its first general counsel in March 2022. Headquartered in Phoenix, Beyond Risk is a forward-thinking risk management firm dedicated to helping organizations identify, assess and mitigate risks in an increasingly complex world. Focusing on proactive solutions, Beyond Risk integrates analytics, technology and experience to help deliver customized strategies tailored to each client’s unique challenges. **Produced by Matthew Warner

Bruce Anders?seeks to serve. His legal career—which has spanned the U.S. Army, private law firms, state government, an Alaska Native corporation, a health system and now the senior living industry—is defined by one throughline: service. Whether jumping from a C-141 as an Army paratrooper, defending clients in court, serving on community boards, teaching Boy Scouts, or navigating nonprofit corporations’ complex regulatory and business frameworks, Anders has always prioritized duty. As the chief legal officer of?Pacific Retirement Services, a nonprofit senior living provider serving nearly five thousand residents in 40 different senior communities and affordable housing facilities across seven states, Anders continues his commitment to helping others. **Produced by Calie Rhoads-Green & Andrew Wright

In April 2022,?Albert Nicholson?joined loanDepot Wholesale/Correspondent as senior vice president and associate general counsel, stepping into a role that required navigating the legal complexities of the mortgage industry during a time of economic uncertainty following significant layoffs due to market conditions. Nicholson’s role goes beyond typical legal responsibilities. He acts as a key strategic partner to the business, focusing on integrating legal strategies into loanDepot’s broader goals. His expertise in employment law and human resources management has been vital in shaping the company’s approach to compliance, risk mitigation, and innovation. ”My work at loanDepot allows me to interact and collaborate with many people across the organization, thus allowing me to build trust and productive working relationships,” Nicholson told Vanguard. **Produced by Andrew Wright

Go to the laundry room at most apartment buildings and college campuses across the country, and you’ll likely find washers and dryers marked with the?WASH?logo. But why WASH, and how did those machines get there? Those questions can be answered by?Nicole Johnson, associate general counsel for WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems. The company’s WASH-Connect digital platform helps modernize the laundry experience with easy app-based mobile payments, laundry monitoring capabilities and data and insights. “At WASH, modernizing laundry is an ongoing process of constantly striving to find ways to do things better. As a legal department, we strive to partner with the business, guiding to help the company achieve its goals while mitigating legal risks, essentially acting as a strategic partner rather than a department of “no.” **Produced by Jody Robbins & Andrew Wright

Nausheen Rokerya, vice president and associate general counsel at VNS Health, has been instrumental in leveraging the organization’s ongoing reorganization and evolution to support legal and regulatory compliance while simultaneously expanding her expertise to align with its dynamic needs. “Our mission is rooted in compassion and innovation, but the agility and commitment of our teams truly bring it to life. Their dedication allows us to overcome challenges and support delivering meaningful care where it’s needed most.” Rokerya says. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit home and community-based healthcare organizations,?VNS Health?has pioneered compassionate, innovative care for over 125 years. **Produced by Matthew Warner

When General Counsel Paul Meggett left?Appalachian State University?earlier this year for another opportunity, the legal department continued to function thanks to the tenacity and dedication of the remaining team. That team includes associate general counsel?Meghan Wills, who says that Meggett is missed but that the university’s legal department is in great hands. “We have an interim chancellor and an interim general counsel working tirelessly to keep App State moving forward,” Wills says. “I’ve had the opportunity to take on more responsibilities within the office, including engaging with our campus partners to ensure any gaps are filled and ensuring our office continues to be a reliable resource on campus.” **Produced by Gavin O'Connor

Vanessa Podestá Castilho, Nidec Global Appliance's senior legal LAR and global compliance manager, has been a key partner for Nidec to achieve these ambitious goals. Her responsibilities encompass legal oversight, compliance management, and supporting the company’s mergers and acquisitions strategy, all while ensuring alignment with Nidec’s sustainability strategy and targets. “At Nidec, we are committed to driving sustainability, innovation and diversity in everything we do. My role is to ensure our legal and compliance efforts support these goals, enabling us to lead responsibly and build a more inclusive future,” Castilho says. **Produced by Diana Carrillo; Written by Jason Pafundi