In early August, Corporate Counsel announced the 2017 list of Transformative Leaders—those women general counsel who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and business acumen as they have guided their organizations through often treacherous roads to achieve success. These Transformative Leadership honorees stand out because they are business strategists, complex problem-solvers, and of course, great lawyers. And as important (especially to them) is that they are great people-leaders—they care more about the success of the team than their individual success.

You will see in-depth profiles of the winners later this year in the pages of Corporate Counsel. For now, get snapshots of the honorees who participated in our survey to learn their lessons in leadership.

Rena Hozore Reiss, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (10/19 update–Reiss moves to Marriott)
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, & Secretary, 7 Years

Nominated for: Transformative Leadership (Winner)

Rena Hozore Reiss has been an Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Hyatt Hotels Corporation since August 2010. She provides legal counsel, guidance and strategic advice in support of Hyatt's business activities worldwide, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, while protecting its interests and assets in matters related to business and securities law, litigation, real estate, labor relations, international operations and corporate communications

What is the best leadership advice you provided to a member of your legal team in the last year and why do you think it was effective?

You don't need to go it alone, but you do need to know how to find answers. In an increasingly complex world, it is virtually impossible to have the expertise necessary to deal with all facets of many of the matters we face. So don't despair if you don't know the answers — but know how to find them, either through colleagues, outside counsel or in-house counsel at other companies.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you became a General Counsel?

Just how much this job is not about practicing law. But that's OK, because I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy being part of the strategic leadership of the Company, and a resource and sounding board for my team on the matters they are working on.

If you moved on from your role tomorrow, what contribution do you most want to be remembered for?

Creating an atmosphere for my team of collaboration, achievement and personal fulfillment; ensure the legal department is seen as an engine to move the business of the Company forward while managing risk (business and reputational) in an appropriate manner.

In early August, Corporate Counsel announced the 2017 list of Transformative Leaders—those women general counsel who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and business acumen as they have guided their organizations through often treacherous roads to achieve success. These Transformative Leadership honorees stand out because they are business strategists, complex problem-solvers, and of course, great lawyers. And as important (especially to them) is that they are great people-leaders—they care more about the success of the team than their individual success.

You will see in-depth profiles of the winners later this year in the pages of Corporate Counsel. For now, get snapshots of the honorees who participated in our survey to learn their lessons in leadership.

Rena Hozore Reiss, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (10/19 update–Reiss moves to Marriott)
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, & Secretary, 7 Years

Nominated for: Transformative Leadership (Winner)

Rena Hozore Reiss has been an Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Hyatt Hotels Corporation since August 2010. She provides legal counsel, guidance and strategic advice in support of Hyatt's business activities worldwide, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, while protecting its interests and assets in matters related to business and securities law, litigation, real estate, labor relations, international operations and corporate communications

What is the best leadership advice you provided to a member of your legal team in the last year and why do you think it was effective?

You don't need to go it alone, but you do need to know how to find answers. In an increasingly complex world, it is virtually impossible to have the expertise necessary to deal with all facets of many of the matters we face. So don't despair if you don't know the answers — but know how to find them, either through colleagues, outside counsel or in-house counsel at other companies.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you became a General Counsel?

Just how much this job is not about practicing law. But that's OK, because I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy being part of the strategic leadership of the Company, and a resource and sounding board for my team on the matters they are working on.

If you moved on from your role tomorrow, what contribution do you most want to be remembered for?

Creating an atmosphere for my team of collaboration, achievement and personal fulfillment; ensure the legal department is seen as an engine to move the business of the Company forward while managing risk (business and reputational) in an appropriate manner.