Community spotlight
How female leadership is shaping AI adoption and
organizational transformation
Litera is leading a transformative shift toward innovation and inclusivity in legal technology. With 60% of its C-suite represented by women, the company is setting a new standard for leadership, driving AI adoption and transformative change both for clients and internally with employees. Among these trailblazing leaders is Rachael Rekart, Chief of Staff. Below, she shares her insights on moving the needle on AI adoption, from the inside out.
Photo: Rachael Rekart
What is organizational transformation and why is that process important in the adoption of AI?
With over 15 years of transformational experience, Rachael explains, “I would think about it as how do you create the capacity within an organization to drive change?” Ask questions such as:
- Should it work differently?
- Can it work better?
- Can it work better for my employees?
- Can it work better for my customers?
- How would I redesign that?
Rachael goes on to emphasize that transformation doesn’t always require creating something entirely new. She adds, “The best transformation doesn’t feel like transformation at all. The most valuable innovations come from connecting existing data and processes, not starting from scratch.” The legal industry holds vast knowledge and expertise, and the challenge lies in making it more accessible and actionable when it’s needed most.
Organizational transformation is key to successful AI adoption because it enables companies to integrate AI seamlessly into existing workflows–enhancing rather than disrupting. At the heart of it, transformation involves rethinking how things can work better for employees and customers, and redesigning processes for greater efficiency. Here, it means making AI tools accessible and actionable.
What are you doing to expand AI adoption internally across the organization?
Transformation is about more than just technology, it’s about aligning internal systems to enable innovation. Rachael explains, “We need to not only incorporate AI tools into our products but also take our own medicine by using them internally.”
Litera’s leadership team, including Rachael, is driving a company-wide AI transformation. Through the integration of AI across engineering, support, product, marketing, and enablement, they’ve accelerated development, enhanced customer support, and optimized marketing campaigns. A coalition of “AI-stronauts” is leading AI adoption across the company, empowering a global workforce with AI tools. A structured governance model ensures safe and productive integration, while Litera’s scalable approach is positioning the company to lead in legal tech.
How is Litera supporting clients in adopting AI?
Rachael explains, “Our collaborative approach ensures that we’re addressing real pain points, rather than theoretical problems. From inception to launch, and beyond, we work closely with our clients to ensure our solutions solve their challenges and integrate seamlessly into their workflows.” This commitment to client success is reflected in several programs and initiatives designed to support AI adoption and technology transformation.
Litera offers a dedicated Customer Success (CS) team that helps clients every step of the way. In addition, Litera Labs provides a dynamic, hands-on approach to adoption, through personalized, immersive in-person sessions. The Experience Lounge further reinforces this commitment by offering an in-person, interactive event series where clients can engage directly with Litera experts at major industry events including ILTACON and Legalweek.
These initiatives equip legal professionals with the resources, training, and collaborative opportunities needed to maximize the value of AI and other Litera technologies.
Why is female leadership and diverse teams important for driving AI and continuous innovation?
While the 60% representation of women in Litera’s leadership team reflects the company’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, it’s important to note that this figure isn’t a target. Rather, it highlights Litera’s dedication to bringing together the best minds, regardless of gender—a commitment that strengthens the organization. Rachael shares, “I feel privileged to be part of Litera’s leadership team and its ongoing efforts. Our impact isn’t just symbolic—our women leaders bring exceptional qualifications and expertise. When you look at our executive team, you see women like Priyanka Singh, our CFO, with extensive experience in financial strategy and M&A, and Cynthia Gumbert, our CMO, with her engineering background from MIT and an MBA from Harvard. These aren’t token appointments—they’re exceptional leaders driving transformation.”
Rachael’s leadership style, among other qualities, includes empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence—traits that are often associated with traditionally feminine strengths. She highlights that, “The high emotional intelligence and collaborative nature of our Executive team are particularly beneficial for driving change and innovation.”
Empathy is a driving force at Litera, ensuring that technology serves the people who use it. This approach has been central to Litera’s product strategy—meeting legal professionals where they already work, rather than asking them to adapt to new platforms. For example, Litera One integrates seamlessly with existing workflows in Microsoft 365.
What excites you about the future of the legal industry?
“What excites me most about Litera’s future is what has always excited me about transformation – pioneering a future where technology and humanity advance together,” says Rachael. She envisions a future of legal tech that is more innovative, connected, and human-centric than ever before – a vision Litera is already leading.
Litera CEO Avaneesh Marwaha has emphasized the importance of balancing AI and human insight to ensure ethical and effective legal work, as discussed in the Nasdaq TradeTalks Newsletter. Rachael adds, “The most powerful technology amplifies professional judgment—it doesn’t replace it. It removes barriers and provides insights that make expertise more impactful.”
By embracing both technology and human-centered innovation, Litera is positioning itself at the forefront of the industry, ensuring that the future of legal tech is both innovative and inclusive
