In this episode, Cecilia Andrews, Director of Intellectual Property for Novelis, Inc., shares her approach to building an authentic brand and delivering high-impact value for clients and colleagues. Cecilia relates her career path from aspiring mechanical engineer as an undergrad to top patent guardian and IP legal strategist for a global firm. Growing up in New England, she navigated different cultures as a first generation American whose parents had immigrated from Argentina. She grew up bilingual but not quite fitting the conventional mold of “Latina.” Like her two older sisters, she won a scholarship to Vanderbilt University where her professional sights shifted from engineering to patent law.

After Vanderbilt Law School, she interviewed in Atlanta, fell in love with the urban forest atmosphere and joined a large firm. With a fellow lawyer’s advice and help, Cecilia moved to a patent boutique where her career took off. Eight years ago she joined Novelis and embraced the challenge of earning respect from older, mostly male, colleagues by learning to be seen as a contributor of value in every engagement.

Highlights include:

• From New England to Memphis – a Connecticut Latina goes South: 7:15
• Choosing Atlanta to start her career: 12:40
• How great mentors opened doors for her: 15:30
• The Cecilia Andrews way of building a personal brand: 17:00
• Winning peer respect as a woman in a largely male field: 23:00
• The critical process of developing trust: 25:40
• Going in-house – how her viewpoint shifted: 32:00
• How the power of wellness has changed her life: 36:24
• Her perspective on interacting with different cultures: 43:20
• Cecilia’s “first and foremost” – her goals as Mom: 49:38
• Strategic approach for being the “first or only” at the table : 56:15

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**The opinions expressed are those of the attorneys and do not necessarily reflect the views of the firm or its clients. This podcast is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.