Elise Crawford-Gallagher, Chief Operations Manager

A Distinguished Leader Integrating Faith and Business and Helping Clients

Elise Crawford-Gallagher stands as a testament to the power of integrating faith, family, and professional ambition. As a dedicated wife and mother of two young daughters, she expertly balances her personal life with a thriving career, demonstrating that success can be achieved without compromising one’s values. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at JC Law, her family’s regional law firm, Elise brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the legal field. Her journey is marked by entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to empowering women, and a deep-rooted faith that guides her every endeavor.

From Entrepreneurial Roots to Operational Excellence

Prior to her role at JC Law, Elise carved her niche in the marketing world as the Founder & CEO of Ringlet, a marketing agency focused on serving women-owned businesses. Recognizing a gap in the market for tailored marketing solutions, she single-handedly built Ringlet from a one-woman operation into a thriving multi-dimensional company boasting eight employees. Under her leadership, Ringlet produced impactful national, multi-level campaigns for startups across the country, solidifying her reputation as a dynamic and results-driven leader.

This entrepreneurial experience provided Elise with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses, particularly those led by women. She developed a keen understanding of the importance of strategic planning, effective communication, and a strong brand identity—skills that she now leverages in her role as COO at JC Law.

JC Law: Steering Growth and Efficiency

In March 2023, Elise transitioned to JC Law, a prominent regional criminal and domestic law firm with offices in Baltimore, MD, King of Prussia, PA, and Fairfax, VA. As COO, she is responsible for overseeing the firm’s day-to-day operations, implementing strategic initiatives, and driving organizational growth.

Drawing on her entrepreneurial background and her academic foundation from The Busch School of Business and Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs, Elise is uniquely positioned to optimize JC Law’s operational efficiency and enhance its client service. Her strong strategic mindset allows her to translate the firm’s vision into actionable plans, identify opportunities for improvement, and anticipate potential challenges.

Key Responsibilities as COO:

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Assessing the organization’s current business strategy and priorities to identify opportunities and threats and plan for organizational growth.
• Change Management: Managing organizational change to align and execute initiatives that support your organization’s goals.
• Culture Building: Building a supportive organizational culture that fosters high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Business Transformation: Championing business transformation by adopting a data-driven approach to assessing and implementing tools, systems, and processes.
• Innovation & Future-Proofing: Leading innovation and future-proofing the business by leveraging emerging technologies.

Elise’s passion for serving clients and advancing their cause is evident in her commitment to providing exceptional legal services. She understands that navigating the legal system can be a daunting experience, and she strives to create a supportive and empathetic environment for clients.

Catholic Women in Business: Empowering Women Through Faith

Beyond her professional endeavors, Elise is deeply committed to empowering women through her faith. In 2018, she founded Catholic Women in Business (CWIB), a resource and online community of over 7,000 Catholic working women. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women navigating the intersection of faith, family, and career, Elise created CWIB as a space for connection, inspiration, and support.

Through CWIB’s blog posts, podcast, newsletter, and Facebook forum, Elise empowers women to define what “working” means to them both spiritually and personally—so that they can thrive as a Catholic woman in business. The organization provides practical advice, insightful articles, and a vibrant community where women can share their experiences, seek guidance, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Elise’s mission is to encourage Catholic women to boldly step into their feminine genius to live the vocations God has called them to. She believes that women have a unique ability to bring their faith to the workplace, creating a more compassionate, ethical, and fulfilling environment.

Holy Ambition: A Forthcoming Book Illuminating the Path

Elise’s commitment to empowering Catholic women extends beyond CWIB. Her book, Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home, was released with Ave Maria Press on November 1, 2024. This highly anticipated book provides practical advice, spiritual guidance, and inspiring stories for women seeking to integrate their faith, family, and career. She delves into the concept of “holy ambition,” encouraging women to pursue their goals with passion and purpose while remaining grounded in their faith and values.

Holy Ambition is expected to resonate with Catholic women of all ages and backgrounds, offering a roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern life with grace and resilience. It will explore topics such as:

• Defining Success on Your Own Terms: Challenging societal expectations and embracing a holistic view of success that encompasses faith, family, and career.
• Finding Balance & Prioritization: Practical strategies for managing time, setting boundaries, and prioritizing tasks to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Leading with Authenticity & Grace: Embracing feminine leadership qualities and using them to create a positive impact in the workplace.
• Overcoming Challenges & Setbacks: Drawing strength from faith to navigate difficult situations and persevere in the face of adversity.
• Building a Supportive Community: Connecting with other Catholic women for encouragement, support, and accountability.

A Visionary Leader for a New Era

Elise Crawford Gallagher embodies the qualities of a visionary leader: a strategic thinker, a compassionate communicator, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. Her ability to seamlessly integrate her faith, family, and professional life is an inspiration to many. Whether she is leading JC Law to new heights, empowering women through CWIB, or sharing her wisdom through her writing, Elise is making a profound impact on the world around her. Her dedication to excellence, her unwavering faith, and her commitment to serving others make her a true role model for aspiring leaders of all backgrounds. You, too, can learn from her example and strive to integrate your values into your professional life, creating a fulfilling and impactful career.