Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Hill.
Mercedes, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio. In 6th grade, as a part of the Ohio State University (OSU) Young Scholars program, I received a full scholarship to OSU as long as I attended the YSP programs through middle school and high school. The YSP programs included programs during the year and a couple of weeks at the OSU campus during the summer (every summer from middle school to high school), spending time with Young Scholars from all over Ohio. YSP (see link: https://odi.osu.edu/ysp/) is for first generation college students with high financial needs.
I attended OSU and graduated summa cum laude with a BSBA in Business Finance. While at OSU I was the president of sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated, Epsilon chapter, I was awarded the outstanding senior award and I was a part of a 2-year honors program (junior and senior year) at the Fisher School of Business. I also worked between 25-35 hours a week during my time at OSU and worked full time during the summers because I financially supported myself while in college (and thereafter).
I graduated from OSU in 2002 and progressed to Harvard Law School where I received my law degree in 2005. While at HLS I was involved the Black Law Students Association and I was a part of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB), both as a student attorney and the executive director. HLAB was an organization that leveraged student attorneys to provide legal representation to low income clients in the areas of government benefits, housing and family law.
I left Harvard for Chicago where I joined the law firm Jenner & Block LLP where I worked for 12.5 years until earlier this year. At Jenner I did corporate work but when left I was primarily an M&A lawyer. When I left Jenner I was one of the few people of color that was an equity partner (being a black female equity partner has been equated to seeing a unicorn because people of color make up 6% of equity partners and women of color are only 2% of equity partners – see article from NAWL survey report: http://www.legalexecutiveinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/130-PM-2017-NAWL-Survey-Report.pdf.
I left Jenner in Feb. 2018 and joined the legal group at Beam Suntory Inc. as the Associate General Counsel where I have broad general corporate, transactional and litigation responsibilities on a global basis.
Over the years I’ve committed myself to giving back to the community. I have always felt a duty (that I am happy to perform) to give back to my community and to be a living example of attaining difficult goals for people of color in the United States. In college I did a great number of community service events through by sorority. During law school I was a member of HLAB that assisted low income people in the Boston area and while at Jenner I supported a local not for profit by providing legal advice, Ladies of Virtue (a mentoring organization), did a number of pro bono projects and volunteered at a number of events. I also served on the board of the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large law firm and the board of Epic Academy while at Jenner. I still serve on the board of Epic Academy. I was also a 2016 fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago.
In addition to this I am a proud member of New Life Covenant Church – Southeast which has fed me spiritually since I arrived in Chicago in 2005 and has become a second home for me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road was pretty uneventful until I started getting more senior in my roles and responsibilities and there came a point where a decision was made that I didn’t agree with (about my career progression) and I had to decide whether to accept it or push back. I decided to push back and I ended up receiving what I felt like I deserved in the first place. That taught me that you can’t take nothing for granted and as much as others may speak on your behalf you have to be prepared to speak up for yourself.
I have been truly blessed in my career and I’ve had amazing people and places invest in me but my road has required sacrifice, dedication and honesty with myself about priorities, especially as my personal life changes.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Beam Suntory Inc. – what should we know?
I am Associate General Counsel at Beam Suntory Inc., the world’s third largest premium spirits company, I have broad general corporate, transactional and litigation responsibilities on a global basis. Prior to joining Beam Suntory I specialized in M&A transactions.
Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Owned by Suntory Holdings Limited, Beam Suntory has a dynamic portfolio with unparalleled expertise in whisky, including world leadership in Bourbon and Japanese Whisky, and strength across many key categories including tequila, vodka, cognac, rum and cordials. The people of Beam Suntory are the custodians of brands that have heritages measured in centuries. At Beam Suntory people are our #1 priority…and those are not just words…there is action behind the words that permeate our culture.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have had so many mentors, supporters and advocates I couldn’t even name them all. But the two biggest supporters is my husband, Tavares Hill and my mother Dana Walters. I really couldn’t do what I do without them. They are my backbone.
And of course God is central part of support system.
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