Dylan Schlesinger, J.D.

I attribute my success to trusting my instincts, staying open to opportunities, and focusing on work that feels meaningful to me. A major part of my growth has come from treating people with respect regardless of role and maintaining a strong work ethic. Many opportunities came from simply being willing to say yes—whether that was answering a call, taking on a new challenge, or stepping into unfamiliar spaces.

The best career advice I’ve received is that you never want to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are the smartest person in the room ... well you need to find a new room.

This perspective has played as constant, internal reminder to 1) always be open to learn from others (as I do not know everything); and, 2) Avoid letting ego interfere with growth while navigating the corporate arena. I try to always remember that very environment has something to teach me so long as I stay receptive to receive that knowledge.

That being said, I also strongly believe every person should know their own worth and what they bring to the table based on their experience and professional background (REGARDLESS of their age or youthful appearance). It's a delicate dance to balance knowing when to speak up and when to soak everything up as an active listener. My advice is to start being mindful of this balance as soon as you can.

I would tell young women to ALWAYS treat everyone with respect and decency, regardless of title or position. Strong relationships and reputation matter just as much as technical skill. I’d also encourage them to stay curious and remain open to unexpected opportunities—even when they don’t look exactly like "the plan".

Lastly, I would encourage young women to EMBRACE their own sense of personal style when it comes to corporate wear/business casual. I have seen countless women in the corporate world feel that they have to dim their "shine", and wear ill-fitting pant suits to blend into the male-dominated crowd. No jewelry. No color. No Statement Jewelety Pieces. No Shape. No personality.

Now this doesn't mean dressing for the male-gaze. This means wearing WHAT YOU LIKE TO WEAR and using this opportunity to express yourself while staying in the realm of your office's official dress code (i.e., business casual or business formal). I am a strong advocate of embracing your own personal style whether at the office or on a Zoom call.

I believe you can be stylish AND successful. I for one especially love the confidence I gain from wearing business casual attire that is flattering, stylish, and comfortable (but still office appropriate). This usually comes from an oversized blazer, chunky low-heeled loafers, a subtle red/pink lipstick, a bun, big earrings, high-waisted Abercrombie Curve navy or black trousers, a silver belt, and a conservative black short-sleeved bodysuit. Every women should enjoy the way she presents herself in the workplace.

One of the biggest challenges is navigating a competitive and sometimes misaligned job market, especially in contract management and legal operations roles. At the same time, there are strong opportunities in process optimization, CLM systems, and cross-functional legal operations work. Nonprofit leadership and civic engagement have offered meaningful ways to expand, impact, and build connections outside traditional corporate structures.

The most important values guiding both my personal life and my work life are: respect, humility, and integrity.

I believe in treating people well at every level (whether they are on the executive board or a summer intern), maintaining a strong work ethic, and staying grounded enough to keep learning. I also value being intentional about the work I choose—focusing on roles and opportunities that feel meaningful rather than purely transactional.