Lauren Baugh, 39

Lauren Baugh believes deeply in the power of leaving a great impression on people, in work or social settings. It’s inherent in her extroverted personality. “It’s about being a good person,” she says. “If you are a good person and honest and believe in what you are doing, people will believe in you.”

Fort Myers attorney Tiffany Pereira is one of many who believed in Baugh. Pereira met Baugh, then working in property management, in 2017 when the lawyer sought an office in downtown Fort Myers for her practice. Pereira recalls telling Baugh that when she has enough business, she would love to hire her for the law firm. “She left a lasting impression on me,” Pereira wrote in her 40 under 40 nomination of Baugh.

In 2019, Pereira reached out to Baugh about a different job opening: executive director of the Lee County Bar Association. The nonprofit attorney support group, says Pereira, was looking for someone passionate, charismatic, professional, community oriented and hardworking. That defined Baugh.