In early August, Corporate Counsel (a sister publication of The Recorder) 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.

Kelly Mahon Tullier, Visa
EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, 3 Years

Nominated for: Banking & Finance; Transformative Leadership (Winner)

Kelly Mahon Tullier leads the legal and compliance functions for Visa Inc., a global payments technology company with operations in over 200 countries. Prior to joining Visa, she was senior vice president and deputy general counsel for PepsiCo's Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa division.

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?

There is no “I” in team. As leaders, our jobs are about one thing: making others better.

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

How important it is to evolve to being less of a “doer” and more of a leader.

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

Being a great partner to everyone at Visa.