Lynn Tellefsen-Stehle is the Chief Marketing Officer at Wilentz, where she directs the marketing, business development and communications strategy and operations for one of New Jersey’s largest and most successful law firms.
In addition to being a leading CMBDO, Lynn is exploring her entrepreneurial side as the co-owner of a farm-to-table restaurant, Cave Bistro, at the Jersey Shore with her husband. It’s a great example of how women can be business owners while have a satisfying, progressive career. Learn more about Lynn’s restaurant and her career.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love working with talented lawyers and IT and marketing teams. The increasing specialization of marketing and business development roles at law firms in this digital era is evolving rapidly and has opened up an exciting new world for CMOs, with opportunities to demonstrate the financial impacts of their efforts.
Tell us about a woman you look up to and why.
Amanda Gorman. For her talent, courage and for sharing her gift with the world. When I read her poetry I feel captivated, inspired and humbled. She reminds me to be the change that I want to see in the world.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
On career development: Assemble a personal board of directors; those who are invested in your success, willing to help, and have the knowledge and wherewithal to provide meaningful support along the way.
On job hunting: Understanding your own personal risk/reward ratio is key to determining if a given opportunity is the right “fit.”
What do you think is the key for success in a role like yours?
The skill and willingness to develop highly functional, client facing teams that unite the right combination of specialists who are aligned and connected with the mission. Leadership skills and the ability to persuade, to nurture productive relationships across all aspects of an organization and externally. The ability to discern another’s definition of marketing and attitude about it and to effectively communicate within that framework is needed to be the change agent any organization needs. In my opinion, energetic, positive people who can synthesize, adapt, think of their feet and understands how to commercialize services has an advantage.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self?
Make time to smell the proverbial roses. Pay less attention to what others want and expect of you, and spend more time creating a balanced life that you love. Make it a habit to cultivate your desires, they are the fire underneath every successful endeavor!