Emily Rogers, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Norton Rose Fulbright
In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana sits down with Emily Rogers, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Norton Rose Fulbright.
Emily shares her inspiring career journey from growing up in New York, to pivoting from chemical engineering to communication design, to leading marketing at one of the world’s most respected law firms. Along the way, she reveals insights on leadership, team culture, personal branding, and the importance of wellness and community in professional success.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Early life and education Emily’s small upbringing, her university days, and the bold pivot from chemical engineering to communication design.
Career foundations Building her career at Chadbourne & Parke and how internal sponsorship played a key role in her growth.
Leadership style Emily’s emphasis on building diverse, growth-minded teams and creating inclusive hiring processes.
Navigating mergers How she adapted and thrived during a major law firm merger, turning challenges into opportunities.
Wellness at work The initiatives Emily leads to strengthen engagement, wellbeing, and team culture.
Remote culture How her team stays connected, engaged, and high-performing in a fully remote setup.
Creative engagement From partner retreats to arts-and-crafts sessions, Emily explains how creativity fosters connection and innovation.
Words of wisdom Her advice to aspiring leaders: stay authentic, deliver excellence, and build your personal brand.
Key Takeaways
Growth through change Don’t be afraid to pivot - career reinvention can lead to exciting opportunities.
The power of sponsorship Internal sponsors can be crucial advocates for advancement.
Diversity matters Diverse teams drive stronger business outcomes and foster innovation.
Remote leadership Trust and communication are the foundation of effective remote teams.
Personal branding If you don’t define your brand, others will do it for you.
Authenticity wins Sustainable leadership is rooted in transparency and staying true to yourself.
Key Quotes
“Feelings of excitement and anxiety are the same thing - it’s just how you label them.”
“If you’re not building your brand, someone else is building it for you - through their lens.”
“A good client experience starts with a good employee experience.”
“People respond well to vision and authenticity.”
“With such a people-led industry, it’s so important to have peers you can lean on and share those honest conversations with.” (Nicky)
“Be authentic and find somewhere you’re passionate about — that way you don’t get the Sunday night fear.” – (Nicky)
About Emily Rogers
Emily Rogers is Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Norton Rose Fulbright, where she leads global strategy across marketing, communications, and client development. Beginning her career with a bold shift from chemical engineering into communication design, Emily has spent more than two decades building expertise in branding, business development, and leadership in the legal sector.
She is a passionate advocate for wellness, diversity, and community, fostering creative engagement and supporting the next generation of leaders through authenticity and intentional growth.
About Nicky Acuna Ocana
With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing recruitment teams, Nicky Acuna Ocana is a dynamic leader in the recruitment industry. As Regional Managing Director for the US, UK, and Europe at Ambition, she oversees a team of specialist recruiters dedicated to connecting top talent with professional services firms.
Her teams focus on niche areas: the US division specialises in Legal Marketing & Business Development recruitment, while the UK & Europe team excels in placing professionals within Business Services functions within Legal, Practice and Consultancy.
Passionate about Allyship, Belonging and Inclusion (ABI) and talent retention, Nicky is a sought-after keynote speaker. She frequently presents at industry conferences, sharing insights on recruitment trends, hiring strategies, retention best practices, and ABI in the workplace.
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