At work or off the clock, McCreary leads by example

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Lynn McCreary’s path to law school wasn’t exactly a typical one.

She spent 11 years in the finance industry before enrolling at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. At first, McCreary set her sights on becoming a prosecutor to “put bad guys in jail,” an ambition that was likely influenced by her father, who was a police officer.

However, her experience during summer internships drew her to private practice. McCreary blossomed under the tutelage of several mentors who were generous with their time and talents, and, after 15 years in private practice, she joined the financial-services tech company Fiserv.

As general counsel, McCreary has handled a variety of work: everything from negotiating the naming-rights agreement for the Fiserv Forum to data privacy and regulatory matters. It’s this variety — which provides endless opportunities to grow — that keeps her enthusiastic about her work.

“I am surrounded by bright, driven, caring and talented colleagues committed to Fiserv’s and our clients’ success and embraced by and integrated in the business we serve,” she said.

What sets McCreary apart from other general counsels and executive officers is her willingness to work directly with her teams and the gratitude that she shows for their successes, according to Jennifer Manchester, associate general counsel at Fiserv.

“The associates within our legal department are some of the most highly engaged at Fiserv,” Manchester said. “Her teams work tirelessly on projects and to meet sales and other deadlines because Lynn leads by example.”

McCreary’s dedication extends beyond the legal department. Although she has been involved in a number of charitable foundations, her heart — as she puts it — has been captured by the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin.

Since its opening in 1984, the organization has provided more than 40,000 stays for families whose children are being treated at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and other area hospitals.

“The work done by the staff and volunteers, the service they provide for families of children who are being treated at the Children’s hospital and the comfort the house offers to those families is incredible,” McCreary said.