Koree Khongphand-Buckman, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner
In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana welcomes Koree Khongphand-Buckman, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner.
Koree shares her journey from a small-town upbringing in Wyoming to leading marketing and business development at a major law firm, offering insights on resilience, team leadership, and the power of mentorship.
Koree discusses her transition from public accounting to legal marketing, the challenges and rewards of building high-performing teams, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
She also reflects on the evolving role of technology and AI in legal marketing, and the legacy she hopes to leave in the industry.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Early life and education
Koree’s upbringing in Wyoming, her path through public accounting, and how her early experiences shaped her approach to professional services marketing.
Career foundations
The move from accounting to legal marketing, including the challenges of transitioning and the advice that helped her succeed.
Breaking into legal marketing
How Koree built her career in law firms, the importance of understanding individual partners, and her nearly 20-year journey in the sector.
Leadership style
Koree’s philosophy on team building, giving credit, and creating a supportive environment where everyone has a seat at the table.
Mentorship and networking
The role of mentors and peer networks (especially the Legal Marketing Association) in Koree’s career, and her commitment to paying it forward.
Intentional career growth
How Koree sought out opportunities, asked for new responsibilities, and focused on collaboration and communication to drive business results.
Coping with pressure
Her honest take on stress, burnout, and imposter syndrome, and the strategies she uses to stay resilient—including leveraging her team’s strengths and her professional network.
Continuous learning
Koree’s passion for learning and development, both for herself and her team, and her approach to professional growth and delegation.
Words of wisdom
Advice for ambitious professionals: work hard, be open to learning, leverage your strengths, and remember that opportunities aren’t limited by where you come from.
Key Takeaways
Intentionality matters
Proactively seeking opportunities and investing in personal growth are essential for career advancement.
Every team member counts
Recognising and empowering individuals builds stronger, more resilient teams.
Mentorship and sponsorship
Honest mentors and supportive networks are invaluable for professional development.
Culture is critical
Team mentality and collaboration drive success: ego has no place in a high-performing group.
Resilience and authenticity
Staying true to yourself and maintaining a positive outlook help navigate challenges.
Continuous learning
Embracing new skills, technologies, and perspectives keeps teams and leaders ahead of the curve.
Data and technology
Adopting AI and leveraging data are transforming legal marketing, but success depends on collaboration and adaptability.
Key Quotes
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you need to find a new room.”
“It’s not about titles—it’s about opportunity and having a seat at the table.”
“Giving people credit for what they do provides confidence and builds positive mentorship.”
“You have to have a great network and strong people in your court. That’s what makes a career.”
“Everybody from the seat that they’re in can do something to help grow the firm.”
“Delegation is not dumping on somebody, it’s bringing someone along.”
“AI is changing everything, but without good data, you’re still in the same boat.”
About Koree Khongphand-Buckman
Koree is Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner, where she leads strategy across marketing, communications, and client development.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Koree is passionate about mentorship, continuous learning, and building cultures where teams thrive.
She is a champion of leveraging technology and data to drive innovation in legal marketing.
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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