In corporate governance, where every decision carries weight and complexity, having a legal leader who not only masters the law but also brings a visionary mindset is priceless. Kimberly Murphy-Ward stands out as just that leader. With her vast experience as a General Counsel, she has not only safeguarded businesses from risks but also empowered them to thrive and innovate in the face of challenges. What sets Kimberly apart is her approach—she is a true business partner first, using her legal expertise to drive smart, strategic growth. Her ability to blend legal acumen with a deep understanding of business operations has transformed the way companies make decisions and reach their goals.
From Private Practice to In-House Counsel
Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s journey to becoming a legal executive began in private practice, where she sharpened her expertise in litigation, investigations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and counseling at prestigious firms like Howrey LLP and Baker Botts LLP in Washington, D.C. During her time as a competition lawyer, she worked with companies of all sizes, across diverse industries—from oil and gas to manufacturing, and from tech to life sciences—spanning over 75 countries. This breadth of experience laid the foundation for her seamless transition to in-house counsel.
Despite the challenges of working in a field predominantly led by men, Kimberly has remained undeterred. Her years in private practice have instilled perseverance, resilience, and unwavering self-confidence—qualities that proved essential when she took on her first in-house role as Associate General Counsel, Compliance at A.O. Smith Corporation.
Her career continued to ascend, joining Kimberly-Clark Corporation in 2019, where she made a lasting impact on the company’s legal strategy. In her roles as Global Chief Competition and Anti-Corruption Counsel, and later as General Counsel for diverse businesses within the organization, Kimberly showcased her ability to navigate complex challenges while driving meaningful results.
Strategic Expertise in Complex Market Conditions
Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s legal expertise extends across various critical areas, including board and corporate governance, M&A, acquisition integration, corporate compliance, and complex litigation. She is recognized for seamlessly integrating legal insights with business strategy, always ensuring her decisions align with the company’s broader objectives.
During a period of rising inflation and volatile customer demands, for example, Kimberly played a pivotal role in helping Kimberly-Clark navigate the associated challenges. With rising costs, the company, like the rest of the world, faced the dual pressure of maintaining competitive pricing while safeguarding profitability. Balancing these competing objectives in such uncertain times required strategic adaptability. Her ability to creatively align legal frameworks with business needs was instrumental in addressing market fluctuations, helping to ensure that Kimberly-Clark remained resilient while continuing to elevate its products and reach millions of people every day.
Building Trust across Cultures
One of the most defining chapters in Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s career came during her time in Nanjing, China while at A.O. Smith Corporation, where she worked closely with the leadership team to adapt and implement a corporate compliance program for the company’s $1 billion operations. As an American woman stepping into a fast-growing business environment in China, her experience was nothing short of transformative. Relocating with her family, including her six-month-old daughter, Kimberly embraced the unfamiliar territory head-on.
From the very start, Kimberly stood out—not only because she was an expat, but also because of the unique hurdles she faced. Without a command of Mandarin, she relied on a translator for business meetings, all of which were conducted in Chinese. Beyond that, she understood that success required more than simply navigating the language barrier; she needed to build trust and foster a strong sense of community within the organization.
Her first strategy was to listen—tuning into cultural nuances, the subtleties of local business practices, and the concerns of her Chinese colleagues. She quickly adapted her leadership style, recognizing that she couldn’t operate with the mindset of a U.S. lawyer. Instead, Kimberly embraced a broader, international perspective, tailoring her approach to align with the unique needs and local customs of A.O. Smith’s Chinese operations.
One of her most challenging experiences was navigating a conversation with a senior government official about how A.O. Smith could support local government initiatives. Such discussions would be uncommon in the U.S., where business and government operate more independently. However, Kimberly quickly appreciated that this collaboration was essential for building the company’s reputation and securing the government and community support necessary for success in the region.
Strategic Leadership beyond the Legal Role
Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s leadership extends far beyond the conventional role of legal counsel. At Kimberly-Clark, she served as General Counsel for the $3 billion family care division, home to iconic brands like Kleenex® and Cottonelle®. Her responsibilities went beyond merely managing legal risks; they centered on driving business growth, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the need arose to boost the company’s social media presence and expedite the launch of marketing assets across online platforms, Kimberly took the initiative. She restructured the advertising review process to align with the evolving business needs, playing a crucial role in significantly growing three key brands—an impressive feat in a fiercely competitive industry. Renowned for her strategic mindset and proactive solutions, Kimberly believes that legal counsel should not act as an obstacle to business growth but rather serve as a catalyst for it.
At Kimberly-Clark, her influence spanned far beyond any single team. She expertly managed multiple roles across various leadership groups within the organization. In some instances, she acted as the strategic visionary, steering the business’s direction; in others, she rolled up her sleeves as a hands-on “doer,” ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day operations.
Leading in Uncharted Territories
Kimberly’s journey with Thinx, Inc., a start-up acquired by Kimberly-Clark, further showcased her exceptional leadership. As General Counsel of and the only lawyer dedicated to Kimberly-Clark’s reusables division, which included Thinx, she stepped into a completely new and uncharted territory. With no precedents to guide her and no established protocols to rely on, Kimberly aptly described the situation as a “brave new world” of legal challenges.
In this role, she again transcended the traditional confines of a lawyer. Kimberly became a strategic leader, corporate secretary, and hands-on operator, working closely with the Thinx board of directors while overseeing the company’s daily legal matters. The obstacles she faced were considerable—she had to navigate complex legal landscapes, align startup operations with the broader expectations of a large corporation, and maintain Thinx’s unique identity and culture within a multinational framework. Through her efforts, she played a pivotal role in helping to grow a new market and category for reusable period underwear, winning the hearts and minds of women worldwide.
Influencing Across All Levels
Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s influence spans all levels and functions, establishing her as a crucial driver of long-term growth. In her work across three distinct leadership teams at Kimberly-Clark, she often saw her role as less about advising on legal aspects and more akin to being a music conductor—coordinating, connecting, and ensuring that the right voices were heard with the right tones at the right moments. Her talent for navigating the complexities of a large organization, blending the agility of a start-up with the structured processes of a multinational corporation, is a skill she has truly mastered.
Kimberly’s leadership approach is grounded in proactive solutions, building rapport, and meeting people halfway. She captivates others with her deep understanding of both the legal and business landscapes, while prioritizing business objectives. With a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to innovation, Kimberly consistently pushes the boundaries of traditional legal practices. As a leader, she views her legal expertise as a strategic asset, positioning herself as a business partner first.
This perspective proved particularly vital during her time in China, where she navigated complex cross-cultural dynamics and influenced key stakeholders, and during her time at Kimberly-Clark where she successfully integrated and operationalized a best-in-class competition compliance program that blended business strategies with legal risks.
Empowering Women in Leadership
One of Kimberly Murphy-Ward’s driving passions is empowering other women to ascend to leadership roles. She firmly believes that diversity and inclusion are not mere buzzwords but essential elements of a thriving organization. Her time living and working in China offered her a profound understanding of the importance of inclusion and cultural sensitivity. As one of the few women leaders at the table, Kimberly quickly realized that to earn respect and be heard, she needed to cultivate strong relationships and deeply grasp the business aspects of leadership.
This unique position allowed her to make a meaningful, sustainable impact, paving the way for other women leaders in China to speak up confidently and lead with authority. Kimberly continues to be committed to dismantling the barriers that have historically kept women from reaching the pinnacle of their professions. She takes immense pride in being a role model for her daughter and other young women, demonstrating that they are fully capable of excelling in top leadership and executive roles within Corporate America.
Looking to the Future
As Kimberly envisions the future, she aims to inspire greatness in others and cultivate an environment where everyone can flourish. She hopes to leave behind a legacy of success, not only for the organizations she serves but also for the countless women she mentors and empowers throughout her journey. This vision extends beyond personal achievement, as she aspires to create a ripple effect of empowerment and opportunity that elevates future generations of leaders.
