Windy Lawrence, Esq.

Vice President / Counsel, Law Department AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co. New York City Age: 34

The example of her high-achieving immigrant parents and her experience as an undergraduate at Wellesley College planted the seeds for Windy Lawrence’s success. “My experiences there created in me a fearlessness about leadership, a true sense of responsibility and accountability for always shaping my immediate world and not being a bystander,” says the vice president and counsel of the Law Department at AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co.

Lawrence has a B.A. in political philosophy from Wellesley and a juris doctorate from Duke University School of Law. She practiced as a corporate associate at Hughes Hubbard & Reed L.L.P., where, as part of a team, she represented top corporations like Merrill Lynch & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Continental Airlines Inc. It is important to succeed without compromising your values, she insists. “Listen, listen, listen, then speak. Most importantly, be authentic,” she likes to tell mentees.

In 2007, Lawrence joined an advisory board of InMotion, a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services to economically disadvantaged women in the New York City area. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” she says, quoting poet Maya Angelou. With enough time and resources, she says, she would create a global network where women of all socio-economic levels can connect and share both their passion and resources with each other to resolve issues ranging from health and safety to economic freedom.

Quote: "People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Fun Facts
Favorite book/author: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
What actress should play you in a movie: Sanaa Lathan
Favorite sports team: Duke men’s basketball
What artist would you go on tour with: Carlos Santana and May J. Blige
First car: Mazda 626
Favorite comedian: Jerry Seinfeld
Number of countries visited: 14
Favorite charity: InMotion
Other languages spoken: Italian