Kristen Bateman Leis was profiled in Authority Magazine's "Power Women" series. 

"I moved from my small hometown two hours away to attend Capital University in Columbus, Ohio," she told the magazine. "I left the country life for good and was captivated by the seemingly endless opportunities afforded with a 2-million-person metro-area. I worked toward degrees in sociology and marketing and started thinking about law school my junior year. That’s when working on the business operations side of a law firm presented itself to me as a career choice. Arter & Hadden hired me as an intern to work with its marketing manager."

"My female boss was smart, highly educated, polished, passionate, and well respected," she continued. "I was fascinated by the environment. And, 23 year later, I continue to be captivated by why law firms function like they do (sociology) and how to leverage our social and intellectual capital to develop authentic relationships with clients and be trusted with their legal needs (marketing)."

Kristen also discussed the character traits that have helped her succeed. 

"First and foremost, it’s humor for me," she said. "Humor is my coping mechanism. Often times, just laughing in a situation when I am frustrated helps me come to the solution. I think I have a reputation of taking my job very seriously but not myself. It’s not about me — it’s about contributing."

"Grit is the next one," she said. "To me, this is integrity, resilience, and determination. I was laser focused on earning my position in the C-Suite before the age of 40. At 35, I earned that responsibility, and I am certain grit and a collaborative mindset got me there.

"Passion drives competitive advantage," she continued. "I genuinely get excited when I start talking about the business of a law firm. In my 'free time,' I read books on organizational behavior written by social scientists and legal marketing books written by my peers."

Kristen also discussed why some in society remain uncomfortable with powerful women and five things that can help women thrive in their careers. 

You can read the full interview here: Power Women: Kristen Bateman Leis of Parker Poe On How To Successfully Navigate Work, Love and Life As A Powerful Woman.

Authority Magazine focuses on interviews with people who are authorities in business, pop culture, wellness, social impact, and tech.