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International Women's Day 2025: Celebrating Women Shaping the Future of Legal Technology.

As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, vLex recognizes the critical contributions women are making across historically male-dominated fields like technology and law. Although women remain underrepresented in STEM and legal technology leadership positions, the landscape is changing with an increasing number of women who are breaking barriers and bringing valuable perspectives that drive innovation and create more inclusive workplaces.

At vLex, we are fortunate to have exceptional women leaders helping to transform the legal technology industry. To mark this important day, we interviewed six outstanding women from our global team who are making substantial impacts in their respective fields—from finance and people operations to product management, solutions architecture, and country leadership. Their insights offer invaluable perspectives on career development, overcoming challenges, and creating positive change in the legal tech ecosystem.

A Strategic Journey Through Finance and Operations

How did your career path lead you to a CFO role with a focus on business operations?

"Over my 15 years at vLex, I’ve combined finance expertise with business operations, growing with the company through its international expansion. Playing a key role in driving the company’s strategic goals, I’ve actively participated in various M&A operations, sharpening my focus on aligning financial strategy with operational execution. I’ve also been involved in shaping and executing strategies that support global growth, innovation, and operational efficiency.

Additionally, I've had the opportunity to lead diverse teams across regions, enhancing my ability to drive global initiatives and foster collaboration. This experience naturally led me to my current role as CFO Business Operations, where I continue to focus on both business performance and operational efficiency."

How do you see the role of CFO evolving with emerging technologies like AI, and what specific skills would you recommend cultivating for aspiring female leaders?

"Looking ahead, the role of CFO will increasingly leverage emerging technologies like AI to automate tasks, enhance data analysis, and support smarter decision-making. As CFOs evolve, they will need to combine financial expertise with technological fluency.

For aspiring female leaders, I recommend focusing on developing both technical and leadership skills. Female leaders often bring unique strengths such as empathy, collaboration, and resilience, which are crucial for navigating change and leading teams through innovation. Cultivating a growth mindset and seeking mentorship are also essential for career advancement."

Building Authentic and Inclusive Workplace Cultures

Can you share a pivotal moment that sparked your passion for people and culture within organisations?

"Early in my career, I hired an intern, and from the moment we spoke, I knew that one day, I'd happily work for them. That experience shaped how I see talent—not just as people filling roles but as future leaders to learn from. Since then, I've seen the same pattern with other hires, and watching them grow is one of my greatest joys. I love working with curious people and believe that the best teams are the ones where we're constantly learning from each other."

Throughout your career building inclusive workplace cultures, what challenges have you faced, and how did overcoming them shape your approach to authentic leadership?

"Being a young woman in male-dominated industries—whether as a management consultant working in the Middle East and Africa or negotiating big deals at Amazon for Kindle—came with its challenges. But I was lucky to have incredible leaders who showed me that integrity and authenticity matter more than fitting into a mold. Their example shaped how I lead today—I try to stay true to my values and create an environment where others can do the same."

Leveraging Diverse Experiences in Product Leadership

Can you share any major challenges you've faced while managing a product lifecycle and how you overcame them?

"Like many long-standing team members at vLex (I'm proud to be celebrating my 14th anniversary with the company this year!), my role has evolved significantly over time, giving me the opportunity to draw on a diverse range of experiences to refine and expand my skill set. As part of the Content Team, I regularly collaborate with multiple departments across all Business Units. In doing so, I've found that emotional intelligence and empathy are invaluable tools for connecting with people and driving progress—particularly when navigating challenges.

Being able to understand and relate to others' perspectives has been key to maintaining strong relationships and achieving successful outcomes. More generally, I think any and all experience can be invaluable, whether it has come from vLex, previous work experience, or completely different life experiences such as volunteer or caregiving roles."

What skills or experiences have proved unexpectedly valuable in your project management role, and how might other women leverage their diverse experiences when entering this field?

"In my current role, one major hurdle I've faced is balancing competing priorities across various departments and stakeholders. I can't say this is necessarily something that I have 'overcome', as it is part and parcel of the role, but I have learned that encouraging open lines of communication, honesty and managing expectations are super important."

Bridging Legal Experience with Technical Innovation

What led you to pursue a career in solutions architecture, and what advice would you give someone starting out on this career path?

"After spending a few years in a litigation practice, I became more interested in the ways lawyers were working than in the legal work itself. I've always had an affinity for finding the best ways of doing things—if there was a better way to get from A to B, I wanted to find it. And once I had found it, I wanted to demonstrate the value of that new approach—whether it meant gaining efficiency, reducing risk, improving quality, or simply making tasks more enjoyable! I love the challenge of delivering tangible value through better processes and smarter solutions.

Success in solutions architecture starts with curiosity. You need to be genuinely curious about how people work, why they work that way, and what challenges they face. When you take the time to really understand their needs, the solutions you present won't just make sense—they'll be welcomed. People are far more likely to embrace the change you know is necessary when they feel heard and understood.

Collaboration is equally critical. A solutions architect often acts as a bridge between many experts—whether they are subject matter specialists who understand the problem deeply, technical experts who know what's possible, or anyone in between. Building strong relationships with these stakeholders not only helps you establish the art of the possible but also ensures that the solutions you develop are not only innovative but also practical and impactful."

What skills are most important for someone working on AI solutions?

"A willingness to learn and feeling comfortable operating in the unknown are key. No matter how much you already know, working in this field means being at the cutting edge of new technology, where things evolve and change rapidly. You need to quickly get to grips with new tools, adapt to unfamiliar scenarios, and be open to changing your approach.

In roles like this, you're often not just finding the answers—you're defining the questions and setting the direction of exploration. That means combining technical learning with an openness to experimenting with new ideas, and being humble enough to adjust course when necessary."

Empowering People Through HR Leadership

What inspired you to pursue a career in HR, and what advice would you give someone looking to grow their career?

"I've always been passionate about people — their growth, development, and the impact they can make when supported and empowered. After working as an English tutor and helping people build confidence through learning, I decided to deepen my understanding of people and organizations by earning a Master's in HR Management. In 2019, I started my HR journey in Talent Acquisition, where I discovered how fulfilling it is to connect people with opportunities that align with their aspirations.

Since then, my role has evolved into a much wider HR scope, which I enjoy even more. Being involved not only in recruitment but also in employee well-being, development, DEI initiatives, and company culture allows me to contribute to people's success at every stage of their careers. I joined vLex in 2024, and it's been incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that truly values people and their potential.

For those looking to grow their career in HR, my advice is to stay curious and never stop learning. HR is a dynamic field where emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a genuine interest in people's stories make all the difference. Build meaningful connections, stay proactive, and don't be afraid to step into new challenges — that's where the growth happens."

What initiatives are vLex working on to promote equality and support women's career development in the male-dominated tech space?

"At vLex, we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender. We actively promote initiatives that support equality and empower women to grow their careers in tech. This includes ongoing DEI efforts, events to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about inclusivity, and flexible work policies that support work-life balance.

We also prioritize learning and development, ensuring that women have access to resources, mentorship, and growth opportunities. As part of the DEI group, I've been involved in organizing leadership training, skill-building programs and social responsibility events, creating spaces where women feel supported and inspired to step into leadership roles.

By continuously working toward an equitable workplace, we aim to break down barriers and build a future where diverse talent not only belongs but leads."

Driving Digital Transformation in Legal Technology

How do you navigate the unique challenges of leading operations in your region, and what has been the most rewarding part of your journey?

"Leading digital transformation in a sector as traditional as the legal industry in Latin America comes with constant challenges. Having a highly skilled, well-prepared team is essential to understanding clients and meeting their needs. Without a doubt, the most rewarding part is knowing that we're not just driving the sector's evolution but leading a disruptive change that is redefining how law and technology come together."

What advice would you offer someone aiming for a senior leadership role in their country's operations?

"Discipline and perseverance are key to success in any leadership role. Hard work always comes before the reward, and in the long run, discipline surpasses talent. My advice is to embrace big challenges and dare to challenge the status quo. True leaders don't settle for the way things are—they drive meaningful change that creates a real, lasting impact."

Empowering the Future of Legal Technology

The insights shared by these remarkable women at vLex highlight the diverse pathways to leadership in legal technology and the unique perspectives women bring to this evolving industry. Their experiences underscore the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and authentic leadership in creating meaningful change.

As the legal technology landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to supporting the advancement of women across the industry and creating environments where diverse talents can thrive. By amplifying women's voices and experiences, we’re building a more inclusive and innovative future for legal technology.

Want to learn more about how vLex is transforming the legal technology landscape? Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more about our mission, and join us in celebrating the women shaping the future of legal intelligence.

Authored By

Millie Hornby