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EP91: Rising from the Ashes: A Daughter's Journey from Heir to Leader

Posted by Deborah Fell
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It was under extraordinary circumstances that J. Nicole Martin Lawton suddenly became CEO of Phoenix Language Services in May 2020. Not only was the world grappling with a global pandemic, but she had just returned from maternity leave with her second child when her father, company founder Bill Martin, passed away. At that moment, Nicole stepped into leadership of the company he had built from the ground up since 1993 - a business born from his experience as an ad hoc Spanish interpreter for his own mother.

This episode explores Nicole's remarkable journey from anthropology student to healthcare attorney to CEO, and how she navigated the delicate balance of honoring her father's legacy while making the company her own. Through her story, we see what's possible when the next generation is suddenly thrust into leadership, guided by deep respect for those who came before and a clear vision for the future.

In a delightful twist of fate, this conversation between Nicole and Deborah began during a chaotic day of canceled trains and power outages along the Northeast corridor - proving that sometimes life's interruptions lead to the most meaningful connections.

About our guest:

J. Nicole Martin Lawton is President and CEO of Phoenix Language Services, a company her father founded in 1993 to help break down language and cultural barriers in healthcare and beyond. A University of Pennsylvania graduate and former healthcare law partner, Nicole stepped into leadership in May 2020, combining her legal expertise with a deep understanding of language access needs. Under her leadership, Phoenix has expanded its interpreter training programs internationally and continues to innovate in language access technology. The company, now women-led, reflects Nicole's commitment to carrying forward her father's legacy while charting new paths in cultural connection.

J. Nicole Martin Lawton on LinkedIn


Listen Here:
 Jan 29, 2025 6:00:00 AM

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Deborah Fell

Deborah Fell

Deborah Fell is Area Manager Partner & CMO for Chief Outsiders. She is an expert at helping mid-market to large enterprise companies identify and capitalize on marketing strategies to increase revenue and profitability. Chief Outsiders provides fractional CMOs without the expense of a full-time resource to CEOs who want to accelerate revenue and profits through improved marketing strategies, implementation and leverage.
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