Midwest Region

 View Only

Spotlight on Chicago's Emily Flores for Hispanic Heritage Month

By Lauren McNee Doherty posted 10-06-2023 09:01

  

Meet Emily Flores! Emily is the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, and she's a member of the LMA Chicago Local Group. Emily shares what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her, her favorite cultural tradition, and more.   

 

Tell us your story - where do you work and what do you do? 
 
I've been in legal marketing for about 9 years. I'm currently part of the Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP (SMB) team as their Director of Marketing and Business Development. I'm responsible for overseeing and managing the firm's marketing department, as well as working with attorneys on business development efforts.    
 
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
 
Hispanic Heritage Month is incredibly important to me. I come from a very large family, so it's a time to truly appreciate my culture and really take it all in. My father is one of 12 children, and he grew up in a pueblo Los Cuatlix, located in the Municipality of Teloloapan (Guerrero, Mexico). My mother is one of 10 children, and her family resides in Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico). I have 5 siblings and close to 100 first cousins.   
 
Emily's parents celebrating Mexican Independence Day on September 16, 1989.
 
What is your favorite cultural tradition? 
 
It would have to be Three Kings Day when we share a Rosca de Reyes (Wreath of the Kings Cake). I usually help my aunt make the oval-shaped bread topped with fruit, nuts, and candied strips of citrus peels. It is cut on January 6, and traditionally, all roscas have little white plastic dolls inside and the person who gets that little doll is the lucky "winner" for a tamaliza (tamales party). The winner will then have to make tamales for the entire family on February 2—which is tedious work!—so it's pretty funny watching everyone cut their slide of cake.
 
If you could go back and speak to your younger self, what would you say?
 
Don't forget to take a beat and enjoy the little things.
 
What was the best vacation you've ever been on?
 
Tepoztlán, a small town south of Mexico City. I hiked up a steep trail that led to the Aztec Tepozteco pyramid. It was amazing!
 
If you could time travel, where's the first place you would go?
 
1998, when Google was created and invest in stocks. Ha!
 
What book are you currently reading?
 
Thicker than Water: A Memoir by Kerry Washington
 
What would the title of your autobiography be?
 
Todo a su tiempo / All in good time
 
Who was your top artist on Spotify Wrapped last year?
 
Joywave
 
What was your first live concert?
 
Good Charlotte/Simple Plan, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
 
What's your favorite movie?
 
Any movie with Jackie Chan in it.
 
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
 
Belissa Escobedo
 
Do you have any pets? If so, what's your favorite thing about them?
 
Pickles, a Quaker parrot I rescued during the pandemic. He's a great WFH buddy, or at least when he's not squawking loudly during calls.
 
Pickles was found on the street with/ a broken leg, and after many vet visits, Emily adopted him.
 
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
 
Espresso and Outlook emails
 
What's your favorite dessert?
 
Carrot cake and Jeanne's ricotta cookies
 
Which marketing leader do you most admire?
 
Jason K. -- thank you, you've been an amazing mentor throughout the years.
 
What's one of your proudest accomplishments in your career?
 
Some of my proudest accomplishments are simply the instances where colleagues thank me for my assistance. Knowing that I've made a difference in their work is rewarding. Also, at this stage of my career, I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to mentor other marketing professionals just as my mentors did for me when I started out. It is such a fulfilling experience to be able to pay it forward and support them as they navigate the industry and develop their skills.
 
How has LMA helped you accomplish your career goals?
 
One of my mentors at the time (marketing guru Jason) encouraged me to sign up for an LMA event back in 2018. It was a luncheon, we did group exercises, and I vividly remember thinking how much I enjoyed learning and interacting with others who were in the same position as I was. I also happened to meet my [other] very talented mentor that same day! (shout-out to Gabrielle) LMA has not only given me the opportunities to network and the tools to succeed, but it has also provided me with a diverse group of mentors that have led to lifelong friendships. I love to learn new concepts, and LMA plays a huge part in my professional growth. I'm also extremely grateful that SMB supports my professional development journey.
 
What's the best career advice that someone has ever given you?
 
Here's the top 3:
     
  1. Be bold, take risks.
  2. Continuously learn and improve your craft.
  3. Network, network, network.
0 comments
30 views

Permalink

https://connect.legalmarketing.org/blogs/lauren-mcnee-doherty/2023/09/29/spotlight-on-chicagos-emily-flores-for-hispanic-he