In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Kerri Vermeylen, Chief Marketing Officer at Sidley Austin LLP, for an honest and reflective conversation on leadership, career evolution, and building a long‑term career in legal marketing.
Kerri shares her unconventional journey from growing up in the Midwest United States to studying and living abroad in Oxford and France — experiences that sparked a lifelong connection to Europe and ultimately led her to build a global career from Brussels.
What began as a short study stint evolved into a 30‑year international chapter shaped by curiosity, courage, and openness to opportunity.
She reflects on the pivotal moments of serendipity that shaped her career — including a chance dinner conversation that led to her first role in a law firm — and how saying yes to unfamiliar environments helped her discover where she thrives: in fast‑paced, intellectually demanding, people‑driven organisations.
Throughout the conversation, Kerri offers thoughtful insight into the transition from management to leadership, leading international and remote teams, and how global roles require adaptability, trust, and cultural awareness.
She speaks candidly about the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and peer networks, as well as the role executive coaching and feedback have played in her growth.
The discussion also explores the realities of sustaining a demanding global role — from managing travel and time zones to protecting energy and preventing burnout — alongside Kerri’s grounded perspective on work‑life “balance” as an ongoing recalibration rather than a fixed state.
Kerri also shares her take on the evolving profession of legal marketing, the accelerating pace of change driven by technology and AI, and why curiosity, good questions, and human judgment will remain critical to leadership success.
This episode offers practical, reassuring insight for marketing and business development professionals navigating growth, change, and leadership — particularly within professional services environments.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kerri's Journey
02:15 Early Life and Education: A Foundation for Growth
09:49 Career Beginnings: Serendipity in Legal Marketing
16:09 Transition to Europe: Embracing New Opportunities
19:21 Finding Passion in Legal Marketing
23:15 The Evolution of Legal Marketing and Future Trends
24:23 Transitioning from Management to Leadership
26:35 Balancing Work and Family Life
29:29 Finding Personal Balance and Avoiding Burnout
32:35 The Importance of Mentorship and Career Intentionality
36:40 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
39:05 Navigating Change in the Legal Industry
41:48 Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture
43:40 The Power of Curiosity and Asking Questions
