Name: Tanya Brady

Category: In-House: Women's Legal Awards

Firm/Company: Phillips Edison & Co.

Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Time in Position: Since 2013

What was your route to the top?

I spent many years serving as outside counsel. The deep bench of transactional experience and client-focused mindset that I gained during that time allowed me to successfully move to an in-house general counsel role and become a valued strategic adviser. Not only did my time as outside counsel give me a range of skills, experience and technical knowledge, but it also provided important insights into how to serve as a true partner to the business, driving business objectives and adding value to all areas of the company.

What keeps you up at night?

My two biggest concerns right now are my team and the environment. I'm always focused on making sure that I'm helping my team grow and supporting them in their goals. However, it is definitely on my mind more right now because of the historically low unemployment rates and the competition for outstanding talent. I'm always looking for ways to keep the strong bench of talent that we've mentored, fostered and grown engaged. I'm also thinking about climate change and the impact it will have on our business. I believe it will force us to make changes in both how and where we do business. We need to make sure we're being thoughtful and staying ahead of the curve, both in terms of implementing sustainability and energy-conserving efforts and also by thinking strategically about how shifting demographics will impact our properties. Implementing environmentally friendly practices into all parts of our business is our responsibility as good corporate citizens. It's also a smart business move. It's not a matter of "if" climate change will affect us, but "how" and "when." Companies who are able to anticipate this, and adapt accordingly, will be better set for ongoing success.

What is the best leadership advice you've given or received, and why do you think it was effective?

Ask questions and listen closely to the answers. A leader cannot be everywhere at once or know everything. Asking the right questions and actively listening to what your team is telling you is the best way to stay plugged in to them and the business. Also, take the time to get to know your team. Find out what motivates them and what they are passionate about. Understanding where they are coming from and where they want to go in their careers is absolutely necessary if you want a high-performing team. Not only can you use that knowledge to more effectively organize workflow and develop team roles, but it will allow you to better support your team in their professional growth.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?

I wish I had been more aware of the importance of building relationships earlier in my career. A strong network that you can reach out to for advice and support is critical to your success and making sure you're thinking holistically. This means actively finding ways to network and following up with the contacts that you make. It's not just about getting business cards, it's about truly connecting and establishing relationships.