Regions recently announced that Ashley Bolender will be joining the bank as head of Legal Strategy.
According to Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Tara Plimpton, Bolender will be responsible for “building out the strategy for the law department of the future.”
“Ashley has tremendous experience in legal operations, risk management, continuous improvement, vendor management and data governance, as well as operational and organizational strategy,” Plimpton said.
“With that strong background, she’s well-positioned to help create a blueprint for the team to execute processes, technologies and systems to enhance the efficiency, transparency and overall performance of the legal department.”
Bolender comes to Regions from ABB, where she served as vice president of commercial operations and business transformation. While in that position she led the development and implementation of processes, technologies and resource models for greater efficiency and increased revenue.
A self-described “technology nerd,” Bolender developed an interest in the operations side of the legal profession early in her career.
“I grew interested in legal strategy and operations when I realized its value – and visibility – to all areas of a legal department,” Bolender said. “By combining strategic operations and legal expertise, legal strategy and operations touches everything from financial management, knowledge management, information governance, organizational design and technology support. I enjoy allowing in-house legal counsel the opportunity to provide more efficient legal services and to focus less on administrative activities and more on strategic legal advice.”
I grew interested in legal strategy and operations when I realized its value – and visibility – to all areas of a legal department.
Ashley Bolender, head of Legal Strategy at Regions
That’s a win-win for everyone, and Bolender’s interest in this area has served her well. Prior to joining ABB, Ashley spent seven years at General Electric, most recently as director of legal operations and chief of staff. She began her career as a litigation associate at a private law firm. Bolender is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
“Ashley’s skill set and experience will complement our Legal leadership team and provide support to her new team, consisting of Carrie Fowler, who leads Legal Operations, and Turner Benoist, head of Legal Risk,” Plimpton said.
Bolender is more than ready to come on board at Regions and put her skills to work in the new field of financial services. “I’m looking forward to meeting the team and forging new relationships,” she said. “I’m excited to learn and to help maximize the positive impact of the organization’s legal department.”
When asked the deciding factor in making the move to Regions, Bolender gave a quick, one-word response: “Culture.”
“I was impressed with the leadership team’s dedication to creating a culture that is conducive to success by promoting collaboration,” she elaborated.
An avid equestrian, Bolender will be based in Fayetteville, Ohio.