Charlise Hyatt has more than 17 years of experience in professional services marketing and business development and is currently a Senior BD Manager at Fenwick. Her career has included a variety of roles at various firm sizes and types – from a local accounting firm, a mid-size law firm and some of the largest law firms in the world – including Fenwick, Latham, Duane Morris, Orrick and Nixon Peabody. She has served on many board roles for the Legal Marketing Association including most recently on the West Region Board of Directors as a member-at-large and President of the Bay Area chapter. Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area her whole life, Charlise received her M.B.A. from Saint Mary’s College and her B.S. from California State University, East Bay. Charlise is a wife, proud mom to her 6 year old daughter and 8 year old son and in her free time enjoys running, riding her Peloton, spending time with her dogs, crafting when she can and anything active and in the outdoors. She is also the troop leader to 14 daisy Girl Scouts.

Some of Our Conversation…

SUSAN: When I asked Charlise what her proudest professional accomplishment was she said receiving her MBA while working full-time. It was hard work and she never could have done this once she had children. She has so much respect for parents who work, go to school and raise their families – all of it just takes so much time and focus. I agree.

I asked Charlise who her inspirational mentor was and she said Kathleen Flynn. Kathleen has really been a great mentor to her throughout her career. Though she has never worked with Kathleen directly, she has always helped guide Charlise in her decision making and helped her feel comfortable as she stepped into unfamiliar territory. Charlise really appreciates how honest Kathleen is and has really enjoyed her resilience during tough times. She also has always put family first, which as a mom is of utmost importance to Charlise, as well.

I mentioned that I personally have the strongly held belief that women should lift each other up. That said, I asked Charlise how would she advise women support other women in business? Charlise said:

I totally agree! Give each other a break. Be honest and real with one another; especially help people when they may have taken a misstep and direct them (kindly) back onto the right path. I may be generalizing a bit, but we are all human and we are all just trying to do our best each day. One day and one step at a time.