Veronica Foley, Chief Legal Officer at Precision Drilling, shares a remarkable journey shaped by political violence, immigration, and relentless ambition. Raised in Colombia during the cartel era, she grew up amid assassination threats tied to her family’s political legacy learning kidnapping protocols, varying daily routes to school, and living with a level of vigilance that never fully fades. At 16, her family fled first to Australia and then to Houston, where she faced the shock of starting over: no reputation, limited English, and a school system where grades suddenly determined opportunity. Determined to prove herself, she fought her way out of ESL and into AP classes, set her sights on higher education, and chose law as her path to independence and impact. After cutting her teeth in big-law litigation and balancing early motherhood with punishing hours, she made a strategic pivot in-house to gain broader business experience. At Precision, she steadily expanded her scope—ultimately presenting a self-built five-year plan to the CEO to position herself for the top legal role. Her message is clear: dream boldly, protect your freedom, and never wait for permission to claim the career you want.