From Legal Specialist to Strategic Leader – A Journey of Purpose and Presence

When Jen Mair joined the Executive Women Leadership programme (EWLP) in 2017, she was already a seasoned legal professional, having spent over a decade in senior roles as Head of Legal and General Counsel. But she was ready for more. “I was eager to expand beyond the legal remit,” she recalls. “I felt I had the capability and ambition to take on a broader strategic role in the business.”

The EWIL programme arrived at a pivotal moment in Jen’s career, equipping her with the tools to think strategically, lead change, and develop the executive presence needed to navigate complex stakeholder environments. “It gave me the frameworks and confidence to move from being a subject matter expert to a strategic leader,” she says.

Jen found the combination of academic content and real-world insight from speakers particularly powerful. “The theory helped me understand how to design and communicate strategy, but the speakers made it real,” she explains. Leaders like Birna Einarsdottir and Baroness Ford shared candid stories of navigating crisis and change, demonstrating vulnerability and resilience. “It was inspiring to see that they weren’t superhuman – they’d faced real challenges and come through them.”

One of Jen’s key takeaways was a shift in mindset. “Before the programme, I might have approached career progression from a self-centric perspective – what I deserved, what I could do. EWLP helped me reframe that to focus on what the organisation needed, how I was perceived, and how I could build the right skills to support broader goals.”

This shift proved invaluable when Jen led a major transformation project involving cultural, regulatory, and client-facing challenges. Drawing on EWLP principles of transparency, purpose-led messaging, and stakeholder engagement, she successfully navigated the change. “It wasn’t easy, but I kept returning to what I’d learned. It helped me lead with clarity and integrity.”

Jen also credits the programme with priming her for coaching and mentoring. “I entered into a coaching relationship shortly after EWLP, and it’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of my development. I’ve also become a mentor myself, including reverse mentoring, which keeps the learning dynamic and mutual.”

The EWIL alumni network from the programme continues to be a source of support and inspiration. “Leadership can be lonely, and having a safe space to share challenges and ideas is invaluable,” she says. Jen advocates for more in-person reflective engagements, such as retreats or off-sites, and sees potential in short courses to keep alumni connected and learning.

Looking ahead, Jen’s leadership philosophy is grounded in purpose. “I never set out to be a CEO. What motivates me is working with good people, building a positive culture, and making a meaningful difference. That’s what I want to keep doing for the next ten years.”

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This article is part of our Executive Women in Leadership Alumni Spotlight Series, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the EWLP programme in September 2026.

Our EWLP programme has evolved into our Executive Leadership Programme, which is open to all genders and is now running its fifth year. Jointly run by FWB and the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS), the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) is designed to enable the next generation of leaders across multiple ownership classes or organisations within a broad range of private, public and non-profit sectors.

If you are interested in joining our 2026 ELP cohort, please email us at elp@fwbltd.com.