Heather McCullough
With more than 25 years of experience in the legal industry, Heather McCullough brings a unique combination of business leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and strategic consulting expertise to her work with law firms and professional services organizations. As Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Society 54, she has spent more than a decade building and leading a successful consulting business while advising firms across the country on growth strategies, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and business development.
Before launching Society 54 in 2015, Heather held leadership roles at law firms, including serving as Director of Business and Practice Development at a prominent firm in the Carolinas. Her experience on both sides of the consulting relationship gives her a valuable perspective on the business of law, the complexities of driving organizational change, and the importance of translating big ideas into practical solutions. Combined with her MBA from the University of South Carolina, she brings a business-minded approach to helping firms navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and achieve lasting results.
An entrepreneur at heart, Heather is also Co-Founder and Partner of Society Tech, the company behind INform54, a technology platform designed to improve accountability and performance in business development. Whether she's guiding a leadership team through strategic planning, helping attorneys strengthen their practices, or advising firms on organizational challenges, Heather enjoys connecting the dots between people, strategy, and business performance.
A frequent speaker, author, and industry leader, Heather was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in 2024. She has also been recognized as a Legal Innovator by ALM/Law.com and one of The Mecklenburg Times' 50 Most Influential Women.
Known for her creativity, candor, and collaborative approach, Heather believes the best strategies are both ambitious and achievable. She's not afraid to ask tough questions, challenge the status quo, or inject a little humor along the way. Above all, she values authentic relationships and takes great pride in helping people and organizations reach their potential.
More About Heather
Birthday: October 15 (a Libra who appreciates balance but isn't afraid to shake things up).
Heather has been to every state in the Continental U.S. (except for Washington and Oregon) by van and camper. Her love of travel and adventure hasn't slowed down.
After a long love affair with almonds, both in their natural state as well as liquid form, she learned that she was allergic. A devastating breakup.
The worm is Heather’s “go-to” party trick. Yes, there's video evidence.
Once an enthusiastic (and occasionally embarrassing) sports parent, Heather now enjoys watching from the sidelines as her two kids conquer their dreams.
Heather loves exploring new places but happily leaves most of the travel planning to her husband, Clay. She prefers the adventure to the itinerary.
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University of South Carolina - Darla Moore School of Business, MBA
University of Georgia, BLA
Manchester Metropolitan University, Study Abroad
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Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumnus, National Cohort
Gamification, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business
Accredited Coach - Smart Collaboration Accelerator, Smart Collaboration Inc.
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College of Law Practice Management, Fellow
The Charlotte Business Journal, “Fast 50 Awards,” Ranked Society 54 as the 8th Fastest Growing Private Company in the Charlotte Region (2023)
Legal Innovator, ALM/Law.com (2023)
Honoree, “50 Most Influential Women,” The Mecklenburg Times (2021)
Phenom, “Icons & Phenoms,” The Mecklenburg Times (2018)
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Panelist, From Behind the Scenes to the Center Stage: Elevating Your Impact and Proving Your Value in the Legal Industry, LVNx 2025
Quoted, With Q4 Underway, Large and Smaller Firms See Deal Outlook Through Different Lenses, Law.com, Oct 2023
Speaker, Legal Value Network (LVNx), Impactful Teams: KPIs for (Im)Proving Value, September 2023
Interviewee, Episode 154: Heather McCullough, Co-Founder of Society 54, Charlotte Angel Connection, September 2023
Quoted, Partners Are Frustrated With ‘Zoom Associates.’ But Will Threatening Their Bonuses Change That?, Law.com, August 2023
Featured, Charlotte Business Journal, Charlotte Tech Startup Aims to Maximize Productivity for Attorneys with Society 54 Software, May 2023
Panelist, Marketing and Business Development Trends Survey Results Webinar, March 2023
Quoted, Big Law Does Mid-Market Firms ‘Huge Favor’ By Stepping Away From Routine Legal Work, Law.com, April 2023
Speaker, LMA Tech West, Marketing & Business Development Team KPIs - Showing Your Value, April 2022
Strategies LIVE! LMA Podcast Episode 88: Lessons Learned From In-House Counsel, February 2022
Quoted in Law360 article, Law Firms Must Be Decisive With Vaccine Mandates, August 2021
Strategies LIVE! LMA Podcast Episodes 72 and 73: Demonstrating Your Value: Demonstrate Your Value With Less, Part 1 and Part 2, March 2021
Strategies LIVE! LMA Podcast Episode 60: Finding Success Amidst the Disruption of COVID-19, June 2020
Moderator, Law Firm Crisis Communications; 2020 LMA Annual Conference
Quoted in Law360 article, Stimulus Bill Could Be Lifeline for Some Law Firms
Co-Presenter and Moderator: Client Experience & Strategy, A “Both, And” Proposition for Post-COVID Success; 2020 P3 Conference
Co-Presenter and Moderator, BD Coaching for the Small Marketing Department: Tips, Tricks and Truths; LMA Webinar, September 2019
Speaker, Seeing 2020: Setting Your Sights on Extraordinary Client Experience, 2019 LMA Annual Conference
Speaker, Is a Picture Worth 1,000 Words? Using Data Realization to Influence Behavior, LMA’s Midwest Tech Conference 2017, Chicago
Presentations on Gamification to Legal Marketing Association's Southeastern City Groups in 2016: Raleigh, Richmond, Nashville, Orlando, Tampa, Denver
2016 Legal Marketing Association Tech Conference, Gamification, June 2016
2016 LMASE Raleigh City Group’s Annual DIY Marketing Workshop for Solo & Small Firms Conference, Presented on Business Development with Kathryn Whitaker, July 2016
2015 Legal Marketing Association Conference, Panelist, The Roadmap for Your Future: Navigating and Accelerating Your Career in Legal Marketing, February 2015
Webinar Panelist, The Roadmap for Your Future: Navigating and Accelerating Your Career in Legal Marketing, February 2015
Quoted, The Path to Success, Strategies, March/April 2014
Webinar Panelist, The Essentials of a Business Development Coaching Program, December 2011
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The Monday Morning Test: How to Make a Law Firm Retreat Actually Matter, JD Supra, Feb 2026
The Unexpected Power of Your Out-of-Office Message, JD Supra, Jan 2026
Strategic Planning for Law Firms: Turning Metrics into Meaningful Change, JD Supra, July 2025
Why Business Development Plans Fail Even When You Make the Time, Bloomberg Law, Oct 2023
The 5 Top Law Firm Business Development Trends of 2023, ALM Law Journal Press and Law.com, August 2023
Level Up Lawyers’ Business Development With Gamification, Law360, June 2023
3 Practical Ways to Improve Law Firm Culture, JD Supra, August 2018
Saying Thank You - How to Generate Revenue Through Client Appreciation, JD Supra, May 2018
3 Practical Ways to Improve Law Firm Culture, JD Supra, January 2018
4 Ways to Take Law Firm Coaching Beyond Business Development, JD Supra, November 2017
Got Coaching? How to Make the Case for Launching Your Law Firm's Program, JD Supra, August 2017
Are Your Clients Ghosting Your Firm Without Even the Courtesy of a 'Dear John' Letter?, JD Supra, May 2017
“We’ve got Stephanie” – A Southwest Airlines Lesson in Client Service for Law Firms, JD Supra, February 2017
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Ruth G. Shaw Leadership Program Mentor, 2025-2026
Legal Marketing Association
Member, 2026 Annual Conference Advisory Committee (ACAC)
Co-Chair, LMA Your Honor Awards, 2018-2019
International - Membership Committee – 2010-2012
Southeastern Chapter Board Member – Director of Membership – 2007-2010
Charlotte City Group Leader – 2004
Mental Health Americas of the Central Carolinas
Board Member – 2019-2025
Board President – 2020-2021
Young Professional Member – 2002-2005
Friends of the Library (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Co.)
Council President - 2015
Council Member – 2007-2008; 2011-present
Parents Association – First United Methodist Child Development Center - 2011-2012
Charlotte Reads – Board Member – 2003-2006 (Organization Dissolved)
Mint Condition Gala – Logistics Committee
Safe Alliance: Barrister's Ball Committee - 2014 - 2015