Florida-based Jody Maier Piazza is a marketing communications and business development strategist and executive coach for professional services. She is a fractional CMO and represents emerging growth and entrepreneurial firms with marketing communications strategies, projects and business development strategies/coaching.
Jody was a longtime New York resident before relocating to South Florida about six years ago. She was the head of marketing at Kramer Levin and Kenyon & Kenyon before joining Berger Singerman when she moved to Florida.
Learn more about Jody and her career path in this Women Who Wow profile.
Why did you choose your profession?
It sort of chose me at the age of 26. I was in a medium-sized law firm and marketing was just really getting started in the industry. As an intellectual property firm, we were one of the firms ahead of the curve with a first full-time marketer. The individual wound up leaving and the partners asked me to take over where she left off. Of course, over the years, the industry has grown in terms of the capacity of our jobs today, and I love the excitement and creativity it affords me. Three years ago, I decided to move into my own consulting practice. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love with different professional services firms while following my other passions such as teaching yoga.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love working with smart and creative people. Lawyers and other professional services folks are usually type A, as am I. Today, most attorneys are generally engaged and on top of their craft. Their approach encourages me to be on top of my game and challenges me to think outside of the box.
Do you have a mentor?
I’ve had many mentors throughout my career who have taught me very different things about the craft of what we do, being a good and hard working individual yet part of an overall team, and about the value of relationships and community. The three people who come to mind so readily are Linda Sedloff Orton, Nicholas Tortorella and Paul Singerman.
Any advice to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
Don’t give up so easily; choose your battles and your words carefully; don’t put yourself in a precarious position; dress for the job you want, not the one you have; be kind but be aware; and don’t be afraid to ask questions for clarity.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
Be kind to yourself first and foremost. Don’t beat yourself up over things in the past; you must move forward and learn from what happened. You are worth it!
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Treat everyone at every level with the same respect and kindness you would want to receive.
How do you achieve work/life balance?
I work out almost every morning with running/biking/yoga to give me those endorphins for the day. I also teach yoga as it is a personal passion and helped me find my authentic voice. And, I make time for my family, friends, reading and cooking. Nothing is more important than your health or relationships. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the value of these two things that mean the most.
How has social media helped you build your brand?
It’s actually helped me build relationships and get clients by being authentic and reminding people what I do for a living.
Which woman most inspires you and why?
My mom is amazing. She became a single mom in her mid 30s, had to change up her career, and find a way to balance her own life, her career and kids. She is now 77 and still works full time as an advertising director. Outside of the pandemic, she has a more impressive social life than me.
What do you think is the key for success in a role like yours?
I believe you need great listening skills, be well-read, have confidence in your own abilities but be humble, have a creative mind and a huge sense of humor.
What advice would you give to women in your field?
Take pride in your work and laugh as much as you can…your clients want the same!