The Power of "We": A Day in the Life of Amy Henderson

As MDK's Director of Legal Services, Amy Henderson exemplifies the power of engagement and communication within a dynamic legal environment. Since joining MDK in 2011, Amy's path has been one of continuous growth. She's worked in many different areas across operations fostering a collaborative work culture at MDK. In this blog post, Amy offers a behind-the-scenes look at her day, showcasing how she balances personal and professional responsibilities.

8:00 AM | Mom Duty Before Work

The alarm clock goes off, but before I even reach for it, I hear the familiar pitter-patter of tiny feet. Except these days, the "tiny" is debatable! James and Stella, my energetic 9 and 6-year-olds, are ready for another day of school. After a quick breakfast of pancakes (because, let's be honest, some days are just pancake days), it's all about getting them prepped and out the door.  

Above everything else, being a mom is what I’m most proud of. Sure, there's laundry, carpooling, and dishes, but those pale in comparison to the joy of watching them grow and knowing my husband and I get to be a part of their journey.

9:00 AM | Kicking Off the Day with Work-From-Home Advantage

Today's a work-from-home morning thanks to the flexibility of my hybrid schedule. It lets me get a head start on emails and review those all-important KPIs – referrals, inventory, timelines – the lifeblood of keeping our legal practice running smoothly. I take a moment to send a Teams chat to the Title team – their team's numbers are looking fantastic this month and I want to send my thanks.

“The best part about my job?  At MDK, I’m surrounded by smart and hardworking people. Everyone is values-aligned. People have good intentions, they respect each other, and they collaborate. I have been able to grow so much, both personally and professionally, over those last 13 years, and I think that that is largely due to the people that I get to work with.”

10:00 AM | Virtual Collaboration: Illinois Practice Group Meeting

By 10:00 AM, I'm virtually connecting with the Illinois team (led by Practice Group Director Zach Manchester) for our monthly practice area meeting. As Director, I lead these round-ups to keep everyone on the same page, share data and insights, and most importantly, to collaborate. I provide data and analysis of the Illinois pod’s performance indicating progress and challenges. After we wrap up, I head to the office.

12:00 PM | Lunch Break & Building Rapport with Colleagues

Lunchtime takes a delicious turn today! Instead of heading out, we had a team lunch with MDK's Agile Team Facilitators (ATFs), who traveled from Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Louisville. Condado's Tacos, a team favorite, arrived for everyone to enjoy. These informal gatherings are a great way to bond with the team and build a strong sense of community within MDK.  

1:00 PM | Deep Dive: Research for Timeline Standardization Project

The afternoon dives into research mode. We're standardizing timelines across our residential mortgage practices, so I'm digging into data for all our states – Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Next week, we'll be meeting with practice leaders to translate this data into actionable state-specific standards, all part of our bigger strategic plan.

2:00 PM | Innovation in Action: Streamlining Processes

Innovation is another big focus at MDK. We're streamlining processes in our practice areas using agile methodology and leveraging tech for new reporting. Today, it's all about process mapping with Ben Ogg (Executive Director of Legal and Compliance). The goal? More transparency, better communication, and ultimately, a happier client experience. Stay tuned for updates!
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3:00 PM | Fostering Open Communication: 1:1 Meeting with Tim Converse

Now, one of the things I love most about MDK is our commitment to open communication. That's why 1:1 meetings are so important. Today, I'm catching up with Tim Converse, the ATF for judgment and litigation in the Ohio legal pod. It's his turn to share his priorities, challenges, and feedback for me and the firm. No note-taking for me this meeting – I want to be fully present and hear what's on his mind.

4:00 PM | Cross-Functional Collaboration: Tackling Timeshare Timelines

By 4:00 PM, I'm ready for my last meeting of the day – and it's another example of how we collaborate across departments at MDK. Today, it's a cross-functional team tackling timeshare timelines. We've got Ben Ogg, Valerie Edgecombe (Timeshare Practice Group Director), Megan Spanner (Executive Director of Relationship Management), and me brainstorming with Joy Monaghan (Director of Process Solutions) about implementing IT automations to boost performance. It's amazing to see how all these different pieces of the puzzle come together to create success for our clients.

5:30 PM | Home with the Family

Wrapping up by 5:30 PM means a quick family dinner before heading out to cheer on James at his baseball game. Fall ball is in full swing, and between games and practices, it feels like he's on the field almost every day! Tonight, it's a doubleheader for entertainment – James on the field and Stella practicing her cheerleading routine on the sidelines.

As James gets his second strikeout of the game, a surge of pride fills me. It's moments like these, big and small, that fill me with contentment. Today had its share of successes, from exceeding KPIs to brainstorming innovative solutions. Taking the time to celebrate these victories, both personal and professional, reinforces my sense of gratitude and purpose.

Connect with Amy on LinkedIn here.

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