Journeys to Equity: Recent Episodes
CenterForce USA
On Centerforce's Journeys to Equity Podcast, hear diverse leaders from across Corporate America, discuss the factors that led to their success. The goal of the podcast is to offer the strategies and tools to accelerate impactful and long-lasting change.
Trista Engel, CEO of Paragon Legal, and Jessica Markowitz, President & COO of Paragon Legal, share their journey from the 2008 Wall Street Financial Crisis to raising money to buying Paragon Legal and now successfully growing the business. Listen to this inspiring journey. What were and how did they overcome the Gender Stereotypes and challenges they faced raising money and in pitching VCs? Why did they select Paragon Legal and how has the flex talent changed and encouraged diverse legal talent to not only stay in the profession but use Paragon Legal and springboard to launch their career?
In this episode, we are joined by Tonya Mitchem Grindon, a trailblazing Partner at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, as she shares her remarkable journey to equity in the corporate world. From her humble beginnings in rural Alabama to assuming the helm of the business department, Tonya's narrative epitomizes ambition, resilience, and triumph over biases. Reflecting on her experiences, she explores the significance of seizing opportunities, cultivating networks, and embracing pride in achievements. Tonya also delves into the pivotal role of sponsors in advocating for diverse professionals, offering insights into initiatives at Baker Donaldson aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tune in to this engaging conversation for invaluable lessons on overcoming self-doubt, attaining work-life balance, and navigating the path to corporate success.
In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Nancy Del Pizzo, Partner at Rivkin Radler LLP, as she shares her remarkable journey from the publishing industry to the legal profession, with a focus on intellectual property law. Nancy offers candid insights into her career transition, discussing the challenges she encountered in publishing, the appeal of intellectual property law, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path. Emphasizing the importance of organizational culture, Nancy advises listeners to prioritize environments where authenticity and personal growth are valued. Drawing from her own experiences, she reflects on the transformative power of embracing one's identity and its profound impact on professional fulfillment and success. From grappling with issues of inclusion to championing authenticity, Nancy’s narrative provides valuable lessons and inspiration for listeners embarking on their own professional journeys.
In this podcast episode, Jenna Gabay, a seasoned attorney and partner at Rivkin Radler LLP, unfolds her journey through the legal profession, placing a spotlight on her interplay between motherhood and career ambitions. Jenna provides nuanced insights into her distinctive legal practice, seamlessly navigating the realms of commercial litigation and trust and estates litigation. She also candidly recounts her early experiences, juggling family life while ascending the corporate ladder, and details her pivotal role in championing improved maternity leave policies within her firm. This conversation probes the nuances between mentorship and sponsorship, emphasizing the crucial role of workplace champions. Jenna's wisdom on legacy-building, overcoming challenges, and promoting diversity in the legal sphere renders this episode indispensable for those navigating the precarious landscape of professional advancement and work-life equilibrium. A trailblazer with unwavering resolve, Jenna reflects on her journey from her upbringing on Long Island to her intentional trajectory in law, offering honest insights into the impact of gender in the legal realm and the delicate equilibrium between professional aspirations and personal contentment.
In this episode Colleen Sweeney, Jennifer Andres, Janet Hamilton, and John Mielitz from TCDI discuss the unique challenges faced by military spouses that can make it difficult for them to pursue their personal and professional goals. Frequent moves, deployments, and the demands of military life can make it difficult to build a stable career or find a supportive community. TCDI is committed to providing resources and support to navigate through these challenges.
We discuss personal experiences and insights on the difficulties that military families face, and the resources TCDI provides for them, such as career development programs and creating a supportive environment for military spouses.
Tune in for perspectives on:
- The realities of military spouses and how they adapt and thrive to change
- Exploring the intersection of technology and law
- How TCDI stands out in the world of E-Discovery and litigation support
We can all do something to become better.
In this episode, Desiree Wolfe, Senior Director at Salesforce, highlights the importance of intentionality in our processes towards progress. She emphasizes that as leaders, peers, colleagues, and professionals, it is imperative that we all be transparent in recognizing the areas of our workspaces and mindsets that need to be transformed. She tells her audience that every opportunity is one to learn, develop, and advocate. As a woman of color and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Desiree shares how her compounded experiences have brought to light the numerous barriers and hurdles that are presented to underrepresented groups. She brings attention to the importance of representation and points out the work that must be done to move past tokenism and step into reworking corporate structure to most efficiently utilize diversity leadership roles. She elaborates on the impact of lack of representation and inspires her audience to make deliberate decisions committed to enacting change. Join Desiree as she encourages her audience to invest in DEI and do the most compelling action that impacts their own compensation.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● The Power of Representation
● Reconstructing the DEI Elements of a Business
● Investing in underrepresented groups
● Intersectionality, Advocacy, and Sponsorship
Taking Affirmative Steps Towards Inclusivity
In this episode, Deborah Solmor, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at TCS Education System, shares her journey up the legal ladder. She highlights her interest in and passion for the general counsel culture and also provides a perspective that usurps misconceptions and assumptions of her role. Deborah emphasizes that in all spaces, diversity is needed, but we must identify our why. She pulls inspiration from her experiences and exposure to other leaders to encourage us to reflect on why we care about equity and inclusivity and how we can prioritize DEI implementation within our company structures. Deborah also addresses the importance and significance of sponsorship. She accents the value in having personnel who can vouch for you behind closed doors. Join Deborah as she encourages her audience to be intentional within every sector of their life - personal and professional!
Tune in for perspectives on:
● Balancing Work and Personal Life
● Advocation in Leadership
● Differentiating between Mentorship and Sponsorship
● The Roles of General Counsel
Using your Power to Empower
In this episode, Nicole Kelsey, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary at Amyris, Inc., shares how we can all step up to the plate by using our compounded experiences to adjust, adapt, and aid in advancing ourselves and others through advocacy. Nicole shares how her familial upbringing stemmed her interest in justice and equity at an early age. Realizing that the systematic structures in place can permit the marginalization of certain groups, she decided she would focus on advocacy throughout her career. Nicole highlights how we all have to be intentional with using our privilege to empower underrepresented groups and disrupt the prejudices and biases that prevent advancement. Nicole also points out how the key to advancement is pushing past our shortcomings and using them as opportunities to develop and improve. She reminds us that mistakes mold us into becoming the best version of ourselves. Join Nicole as she encourages her audience to give themselves grace and strive for progress, not perfection, while pursuing their passion.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● How to Speak Up and Create the Avenue for Change
● How to Develop Legally
● Advancing through Failures
● Being Intentional in Advocation
Being Purposeful in Progress
In this episode, Indhira Arrington, Managing Director and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Ares Management, gives us valuable takeaways on how to succeed in the corporate space. She highlights that success is always accompanied with support and shares how her support team and sponsors have equipped her with the needed skills, attributes, and attitude to climb up the corporate ladder. As a DEI lead, Indhira emphasizes how her compounded experiences have given her the ability to pay it forward, and be the support, guide, and lead to direct management in a way that promotes growth and effective change. She touches on the challenges presented when implementing sustainable change management, but also offers tangible solutions rooted in communication, feedback, and combining business imperative with recognizing value. Indhira reminds us that while we all have unique abilities, strengths, and talents - we are stronger when we have a dependable and expanding support system in our corner. Join Indhira as she encourages her audience to step into their strengths while also stepping outside themselves to pay it forward.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● How to Educate Managers on Leading across Differences
● The Products of Sponsorship
● Gauging Support when implementing change
● Being purposeful in Mentorship and Leadership
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
In this episode, Cassandra Labbees, Firm Member at Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., shares the importance of creating a culture of belonging. As a child of Haitian immigrants, Cassandra highlights her unique experience of integration into American culture. Having gone to a primary school that celebrated her ethnic roots, Cassandra developed a strong sense of identity and had a clear example of inclusivity at its fullest. As Cassandra climbed her way up the professional ladder, she was able to use her roots and experience as strategies for how to confront microaggressions, overcome corporate challenges, and establish community. Cassandra expressed that her environments, academic and professional, provided her with a blueprint of expectations for how to hold herself and her peers accountable and taught her techniques to get her peers engaged in spearheading change. Cassandra also provides standards of what action behind DEI implementation looks like and how we can measure impact versus intention. Join Cassandra as she encourages her audience to stay true to themselves and take pride in their identity.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● The Haitian Immigrant Experience
● The Importance of Education and Identity
● Mediating and Confronting Microaggressions
● Redefining your Standards
Moving Past Passion and Utilizing Strategy
In this episode, Natalie Edwards, Global Chief Diversity Officer at National Grid, highlights the impact of expertise in DEI initiatives. Her insights on DEI prompt change agents to examine their current inclusion strategy and ask the important question: “What does diversity mean and look like for our company?” Natalie encourages Chief Diversity Officers to become experts in their field and understand that diversity is not a box to be checked, but rather a topic to be studied to produce lasting change in corporate culture. Natalie shares how we must push past passion and outspoken characteristics, specifying that the ability to understand why diversity is needed does not automatically equip individuals with the role qualifications to effectively implement inclusion strategies. Natalie also emphasizes that organizations have to be more intentional about understanding that diversity is not a “one size fits all '' model and focus on what areas must be prioritized to advance company culture. Join Natalie as she challenges her audience to examine the skill set needed for diversity leaders.
Tune in for perspectives on:
- The Intrinsic Value behind DEI
- Being a Strategic Leader
- The Research behind Change
- Leveraging your Expertise
Creating Opportunities to Change our Behavior
In this episode, Janine Jansen, Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Lead at Organon, shares what it means to be authentic in our equity journeys. Janine explains how we all have the opportunity to change our behavior, but real change happens in our hearts and minds. This is what leads to true allyship and advocacy for those impacted by inequity. She highlights how the lack of representation in spaces she has occupied motivated her to establish more inclusive environments. Janine expressed that it takes a bigger collective, that goes beyond lip service, so that diverse perspectives can thrive. She challenges her peers and colleagues to take risks to get buy-in from leadership because every community looks different and what works for one does not work for all. She points out the need for a culture shift and how we can gauge the needed metrics that encourage involvement, growth, and commitment. Janine also provides ways we can keep track of early wins and how we can use them as markers for progress and momentum to push us forward. Join Janine as she motivates her audience to push beyond a moment and strive for continuous progression and change.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● Unconscious and Implicit Bias
● Setting Achievable Goals
● Telling a Story of Participation
● Creating Awareness Builders
Handling Responsibility and Recognizing High Potential
In this episode, Lori Stacy, CEO at Trader Interactive, shares how to balance the responsibilities of career and caretaking. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Lori emphasizes how her professional and occupational experiences have equipped her with the skills, mindset, and motivation to juggle her passion for her work with all the commitments and obligations that come with being a mother. While she does not minimize the challenges of work/life balance, Lori points out that her confidence in her abilities have allowed her to out-perform expectations making her not only a great mother, but also a strong role-model for her children. She also explains how her knowledge and mastery of employee development and the customer experience has given her unique opportunities to develop and climb the leadership ladder. Join Lori as she encourages her listeners to ask what value they can bring to the table, and how we can exceed our own expectations.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Out-Performing Expectations
• Extending Reach Beyond Role - Increasing Visibility
• Impactful Leadership - Effective Management
• Balancing Professionalism and Parenthood
Bigger is Not Always Better
In this episode, Susanne Jones, Founder of Jones Robb–a boutique law firm handling patent prosecution and counseling–and Elizabeth Burke, a Member of the firm, share their insights on being women in STEM and how they steering their small firm to success. Because both Susie and Liz pursued careers in engineering, they are used to being the only woman in the room. They then both decided to add to the challenge by layering it with a career in law. In order to make this work, they advised that you have two things: a strong stomach and unfailing support from mentors, colleagues loved ones. How does one navigate through all that and then have the gumption to found a law firm? How do you attract clients and stay profitable in the world of IP when you are competing with Big Law? Even though Jones Robb is WBENC Certified (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) and corporations are looking to hire diverse outside counsel, it is not easy. Susie shares that while diversity is important, in the end it boils down to trust. And, trust comes through building relationships. Despite the challenges, Liz was attracted to Jones Robb because she wanted the flexibility that comes with a smaller organization. It meant more autonomy and more variety in the work she gets to do. Hear how she and Susie have created a culture that reflects these values for themselves and their employees. This is imperative in order to attract and retain talent in the time of the Great Resignation. They also speak candidly about how RFPs are geared to the larger firms and what clients can do to be more inclusive when vetting outside counsel. Don’t limit your options from the get-go by having an RFP that sets standards that fail to capture smaller, and therefore, more diverse prospects.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Leveraging a background in STEM to succeed in the legal industry
• The benefits of working for a Boutique organization
• Why corporations should consider hiring smaller, more diverse outside counsel
• Advice for the CIPO: What to consider when drafting an RFP
Defying the Odds through Science, Law, and Ambition
As a physics major at Oxford University, Emily Collins, VP of Kilburn & Strode’s San Francisco’s Liaison office, knew early on that science was her passion, but she also had a unique knack for interacting with people. Patent law allowed her to blend the two into a rewarding career. But the path to success in the highly male-dominated field hasn’t always been a smooth one. In this candid interview, Emily shines a light on the invisible barriers that often hinder the career advancement of women and other underrepresented individuals. She also shares insights on the importance of mental health and why it’s critical for law firms to have open conversations about these issues with the entire staff.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Acknowledging privilege - Recognizing it in others and in ourselves
• Seeing is believing - why representation at the top is crucial
• Revealing and breaking invisible barriers
• The Importance of having open conversations on mental health
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
In this episode, Lale Topcuoglu, Head of Credits at Swiss Re gives her outlook on what true inclusivity looks like. She provides a unique point of view by expounding on her experience immigrating to the United States. Lale explains how transitioning to this country provided the opportunity to compare her preconceptions of equity in western culture with reality. Her own experience inspired her to claim her seat at the table, culminating in her current position in finance with a global organization. Lale shares how her vision of meritocracy reflects inclusion at its highest peak, and she further details how Wall Street has evolved since she started. While there is more to be done, it is encouraging and awe inspiring to see the new generation push past the status quo. This is a far cry from her own experience and it is gratifying to see emerging leaders demanding and developing a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect. Join Lale as she calls on her listeners to break the glass ceiling.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Moving Past the Status Quo
• Retention in Finance
• The value of initiative
Performing Progressiveness
In this episode, Lara McLeod, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at FullStory connects the intersection between identity and DEI work. She opens up about the impact racism, sexism, bias, and stereotypes have on women of color in the legal world and provides solutions for leveling the playing field. Lara offers insight into the difficulties of addressing macro and microaggressions while overcoming the hurdle of tone policing. As a biracial woman, navigating professionalism and past ingrained trauma, this motivated her to create a new blueprint for implementing DEI into the corporate culture. In fact, Lara used her circumstance as an opportunity to build the role she wanted to see and the role she knew was needed. Lara emphasizes the importance of understanding where you want your career to take you, establishing boundaries, and the need for culture shifts. She points out it is imperative to move away from performativity and push towards intrinsic motivation behind inclusion efforts. She provides ways to gauge how diversity is integrated within company structure by looking at who is involved, who is responsible, and how development can occur. Join Lara as she calls her audience to discover their “why” when striving for progress.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Foundation and Development
• Navigating Burnout, Boundaries, and Breaking Barriers
• Pushing Past Tokenization
• Persistence in Shifting Workplace Culture
Change is in the Details
In this episode, Julie Honor, General Counsel, at 3Q Digital Inc., shares how her interest in business equipped her with the needed outlook to embrace and incorporate effective change management. She highlights the realities of implementing change, and what organizations must do to get the ball moving. Julie draws focus to the importance of leaders being able to express and show how DEI is integrated in the company culture, strategy, and goals. She also emphasizes the significance of being able to articulate clear visions, having fact-based reasons for change, and the ability to communicate constructively. Julie highlights that change is easier to integrate when the reason for change is relatable. She notes, “people will support what they work on.” Therefore, it is imperative that the individuals who will be held responsible for enacting such change be an active part of the process. Join Julie as she encourages her listeners to visualize the bigger picture and include people in the endeavor.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Five Key Elements to Change Management
• Understanding the Bigger Picture
• Obtaining Buy-in
• Gaging the Benefits and Risk
Know What Needs To Be Done & Make It Happen
In this episode, Ellen Bailey, Vice President of Diversity and Culture, at Harvard Business Publishing shares insights on what it means to “practice what you publish.”To that end, she tells a captivating story about how her background in sales equipped her with the skillset to convert DEI strategy into a business plan and effectively sell the need for DEI application in the workplace. Ellen highlights “it is simply not enough to know what problems impact the workplace”, but rather, leaders must be able to efficiently communicate to their colleagues the next steps that need to be taken and why. Ellen emphasizes that although DEI takes initiative, there also is an aspect of humility inserted into the process. A process rooted in reminding ourselves that we do not have all the answers and viewing every experience as a learning opportunity. The ultimate goal is for “DEI to become who we are and not something we simply do.” Join Ellen as she challenges her audience to be courageous when confronting inequitable structures, to not ask for permission to create more inclusive spaces, and to just do!
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Taking the Next Step
• The Impact of Feedback
• Effective Execution of Inclusion Strategies
• Designing Transformative Development Plans
Change Starts with Self-Reflection
In this episode, Dawnita Wilson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, at JBG Smith Properties, discusses the evolution of her DEI career and more significantly, why her role is vital to business success. Dawnita asks a difficult question: How intentional are companies being with diversity implementation? As listeners, we too are invited to evaluate ourselves and our contributions to the inclusive initiative. Dawnita highlights that DEI should not merely be seen as an obligation nor approached haphazardly. She presents the perspective that instead, DEI application should be viewed as a necessary strategy - a strategy built on involvement, motivation, engagement, support, and culture-evaluation. Dawnita shares what success looks like from her point of view, as a DEI officer, while emphasizing that the road to equity is a never-ending journey. The main objective is to strive for progress. Join Dawnita as she creates a transformative space, speaks on both qualitative and quantitative approaches to DEI, and proposes sustainable solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing business leaders today.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Engagement across company structure
• Creating an inclusive culture
• Being intentional and committed to DEI
• Holding our leaders accountable
The Road to Self-Discovery and “Confront”ability
In this episode, Nick Tiger, Associate General Counsel at Upgrade, Inc., reflects on his journey to self-discovery, guided by his ability to see the bigger picture. Identifying as a cisgender gay man, who lives with ADHD, it is no surprise that Nick had barriers to overcome. However, what society classified as hindrances, Nick transformed into stimulants for personal development and motivation to step outside the binary box. Nick’s unique experience navigating his intersectionality enabled him to become the version of himself that functions proudly in his strengths, confronts the need for change, and sparks his desire to create more equitable spaces. Nick highlights how the recognition of one’s gifts is vital to success and to not be discouraged by what you lack, but rather inspired by the vision of what you can become. Nick notes that becoming visionary is dependent upon how much effort you are willing to put into your personal development. Listen as Nick challenges his audience to be transparent, defy the normative narrative, be willing to learn, and understand that we are not limited by our “limitations”.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Visualizing the power of self-discovery
• The gravity of intersectionality and breaking identity appointed barriers
• Examining intrinsic motivation behind DEI within the legal field
• Transforming uncomfortability into productive confrontation
Transforming Workplace Culture
In this episode, Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability, North America at Schroders, discusses her experience in the field of finance, her transition into the ESG sector, and the importance of empathy. Coming from a family of refugees that fled the Soviet Union, Severinovsky was quickly introduced to the gatekeeping and lack of access to opportunity for those without the right contacts. Rather than given in to defeat, Severinovsky used her origins as inspiration, and was determined to rise above her circumstances. As a result, she deliberately placed herself in environments that developed her strengths, and more importantly, equipped her with the credentials and authority to open the door for others to follow. Severinovsky emphasizes the importance of diversity, confronting conformity to restrictive culture, internal evaluation, and the intentional recognition of personalized experiences. She challenges corporations to go beyond lip service by letting their actions reflect their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion because, “it is not about getting a person in the door, but keeping them there.” Join Severinovsky as she challenges her listeners to lead by example and be vulnerable enough to name and speak up against the issues we face in the workplace.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Identifying and selecting potential growth opportunities
• The empathetic approach to DEI
• Committing to implementing representation
• Driving inclusion through ESG
Building a Foundation for Success
This episode highlights the career journey of Eva Heintz, Chair of The Board of Directors at Solvay GGF. Eva initially trained as a chemist, and therefore, understands the advantage that comes with being exposed to science at a young age. This goes doubly so for women and traditionally underrepresented groups. As an Asian woman, Eva learned how to leverage that background in order to move her career forward. She is now in a position to offer invaluable advice to those coming up behind her. She believes it is imperative to get straight with what you aspire to and be forthright in pursuing your goals. "Ask for forgiveness and not for permission.” She is also a tireless advocate for diversity in the sciences, having formed ERGs and other programs within Solvay to give women a voice and a safe platform to express themselves.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Allowing for failure and embracing feedback in order to grow
• The importance of being clear in your intentions when making an ask
• Paying it forward in order to foster a climate of diversity, equity & inclusion in the workplace
The Path to Success Need Not Be Linear
In this episode, Leilani Latimer, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Fair Trade USA and a Board Member at Rayont and Black Diamond Group, reflects back on how being adventurous and taking big risks led to the fulfillment of her dreams. After graduating from college, Lelani put law school on hold and went to Europe because she felt like it. Little did she know that she would end up living in Italy for 15 years and rising to the top of a major technology provider for the travel industry, Saber Corporation. Along the way, she gained experience in sustainable management which she brought back with her to the States. As a result, she was sought after for many high-level positions, including prestigious board memberships. Here, she shares her insights on how to stay curious, find growth opportunities and use them as a springboard for success.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Broadening your horizon when charting your career
• Best ways to get into the (board)room where it happens
• The importance of pulling others in once you have arrived
Embracing Vulnerability and Having Grace in Leadership
This episode highlights the career journey of Kelley Stewart, Executive Vice President at Pursuant. As someone who has spent her entire career in the nonprofit sector, Kelley was perfectly positioned to join Pursuant, a fundraising and marketing agency, exclusively serving nonprofits. Along the way, she learned the importance of fulfilling your desires in order to bring your full self to work, exposing yourself to new experiences, and staying humble. As a leader at the top of her game, Kelley also believes strongly in acknowledging and using her privilege to raise others up.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Following your dreams by trusting your instincts
• Staying curious and open to opportunities
• Reinventing leadership through vulnerability and engagement
• Bringing your whole self to the table in order to effectuate change
Creating a Culture of Belonging
This episode highlights the career journey of Kyle Lewis, Senior Counsel, Safety & Insurance Litigation, US East at Uber. Here, Kyle discusses the importance of cultivating a diverse talent pool. He also talks about vulnerability in leadership and its impact on company culture. Being open creates a forum for your team to fully express themselves, and this in turn, creates a sense of belonging so essential for retention. At the same time, this must be balanced with your own professional ambitions and personal needs. And, therefore, setting boundaries is an integral part of the process when managing a team.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Being a champion of DEI
• The role of vulnerability in leadership
• Setting boundaries and finding balance
Change Starts with Your Mindset
This episode highlights the career journey of Olga Mack, CEO at Parley Pro. Olga progressed from a traditional practice as an intellectual property lawyer to becoming CEO by always embracing new skills and focusing on ways to make an impact in her chosen profession. Part of this includes her advocacy on behalf of women in the workplace. In fact, Olga was instrumental in passing a state law in California, that requires publicly traded companies to have at least one woman and one representative from a diverse group on its board. Listen as Olga shares her story, including the challenges she faced as an immigrant coming to the US, determined to make her mark. discusses how she embraced her uniqueness after immigrating to the U.S. while being intentional about her goals and creating an operational plan on how to achieve them.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Understanding what motivates you to propel your career
• Assessing your skill set & determining operational plan to achieve your goals
• Being intentional and embracing change
Conquering Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
This episode highlights the career journey of Nina Blackshear the Director, Corporate Counsel - Global Technical Operations at Incyte. Nina’s nontraditional path to law taught her to embrace change, build meaningful relationships, and hone her skill set to propel her forward. She shares a unique way to position yourself in the interview process to secure a role you aspire to, even if you don’t check all the boxes. Listen as she emphasizes the importance of practicing the narrative that is your value proposition, thereby maximizing opportunities that align with your passion.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Taking advantage of opportunities to set yourself up for success
• Coaching and other tools that combat imposter syndrome
• Acknowledging and overcoming short falls on the road to success
Listen to All Voices but Trust Your Own
This episode highlights the career journey of Marla Sofer, Financial Services Lead, Industry Solutions CTO at Microsoft. She has followed her passion through various sectors including Wall Street and Fintech. Marla emphasizes the significance of understanding your strengths and positioning them to evolve into new opportunities. Self-evaluation, commitment, and personal experiences are invaluable when crafting your story so that it aligns with your career objectives. Listen as she shares insights on how to build confidence and adapt to lead strategically and with intentionality.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Fighting complacency with accountability
• Building courage to take on new responsibilities
• Participating meaningfully and aligning career goals with your passion
Cultivating Communities For Women
In this episode, Anne Cappella, a Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, discusses forming supportive networks to develop and advance career growth in the legal industry. Anne has developed a unique skill set by integrating her intellectual property background with her prior experience as an engineer and consultant for IBM. This has enabled her to develop a successful litigation and arbitration practice in the federal courts and before the U.S. International Trade Commission. But talent alone will only get you so far. Listen as Anne shares insights on how creating and nurturing a strong network of trusted advisors propelled her career, and how she in turn, is actively involved in a number of initiatives aimed at bettering the careers of other women lawyers.
Tune in for perspectives on:
- Understanding the importance of mentors, sponsors, and advocates
- How to build a strong network
- The importance of self-promotion
- Paying it forward and vouching for other women in the industry
Recognizing Individuality and Honoring Your Authentic Self
In this episode, Rishi Varma, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, discusses his professional journey as a first generation Indian-American. Rishi shares the invaluable lessons he learned along the way and how it helped to advance his career. These include developing and maintaining strong relationships with the right mentors and honoring his authentic self.
Rishi's stories reveal the same struggles many people of color have with balancing their professional and personal lives while still celebrating cultural differences. He also stresses the importance of looking at the diversity landscape within your organization, and if you don’t feel good about the representation, then advocate for change. He offers insights on recruitment and retention of diverse candidates and focusing on potential rather than solely on performance.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•Fostering intentionality through DEI initiatives
•Actively and intentionally engaging with staff to help promote POC in the workforce
•Demonstrating value in the talent you develop
Show Up For the Job You Want Not the Role You Have
In this episode, Courtney Statfeld, Principal at McKool Smith, addresses the importance of confidence, preparation and staying true to yourself as you progress in your career. Early on, she stayed open to different experiences which eventually led her to the law. Her passion for her work and competitive spirit has been instrumental in propelling her forward. As a result, she is recognized as a top-notch litigator of large-scale, complex cases. Courtney supports being a team player but recognizes the importance of self-promotion and broadcasting your wins in order to progress professionally.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•Recognizing your limits and when to say no or you need help
•Using grit, confidence, and faith to get you through any situation
•Acknowledging those who are ahead in their journey and learning from them
Happy Holidays from the CenterForce Team
In this episode, Steve Camac & Robyn Frank recap the impactful themes and lessons learned throughout our conferences and podcasts in 2021. Spotlighting topics such as The Great Resignation, micro-affirmations, vulnerability, intentional coaching, and sponsorship, they also pondered on what to look for in the coming year. We hope that through the everyday examples of our amazing sponsors, panelists and attendees, listeners all over the country will find optimism that we can—and are— bridging the divide and embracing the importance of inclusion, always aspiring to become part of the solution.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•DEI initiatives within legal and beyond in 2021
•What to expect in 2022
•Takeaways, Tips and Thank You!
Change Comes from Inspiration or Desperation
In this episode, Melissa Dorman Matthews, Diversity and Inclusion Partner, at Hartline Barger LLP, joins the program for an insightful discussion on the importance of devoting time to business development. She gained first-chair trial experience over her 27 years of practice and shares her journey on the work she put into herself to achieve her goals. Melissa champions promoting and retaining women in law and spearheads the firm’s diversity and inclusion program by focusing efforts on hiring, training, and retention initiatives.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•Creating a business development culture that supports people in learning
•Unwinding cultural norms and not trusting the meritocracy
•Using your voice to make situations available for you
Encouraging Women to Speak up and Ask for What they Want
In this episode, Hillary Holmes, Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, discusses how networking with purpose allowed her to foster impactful relationships and build a rewarding career. Candidly sharing her personal stories and observations, Hillary shines a light on the invisible barriers that often hinder the career advancement of women, and the best ways to overcome them. This includes raising each other up in order to promote growth and advancement of women in the workplace.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•Overcoming insecurity and low self-confidence to make your mark
•Being intentional about your brand
•Understanding and accepting you deserve the success you have
•Always paying it forward
Creating a Culture of Acceptance and Belonging
In this episode, LeeAnn Jones, Partner at Taylor English Duma LLP, shares her thoughts on the recruitment and retention of diverse attorneys. With so much emphasis being placed on front-end recruiting, long-term impact is bound to fail if the follow-up back-end process, diversity retention, isn’t equally as effective. LeeAnn has experienced this first-hand as both a woman and a member of the LGBTQ community. She knows how it feels to be told to leave what makes her unique at the door and believes that until organizations focus more on creating a true sense of belonging that encourages and celebrates our differences, we will only be making performative, and not lasting, change.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•The negative impact of having employees “check their diversity at the door” on company profits, productivity, and more
•Ways to encourage authenticity and best practices for retention
•How programs improving the retention of diverse talent contributes directly to the bottom-line.
Perspectives on Taking Risks, Working Hard and Embracing Change
In this episode, Christianne Kerns, Managing Partner at Hahn & Hahn, shares her experiences starting out as a young lawyer in the mid-1980s — a time when many firms were dominated by men, and women rarely made partner. Despite having limited knowledge of the legal field as an undergraduate, Christianne found her way into law and never looked back. Her inspiring story addresses how the legal industry has embraced DE&I over the years while also exploring the responsibility senior leaders share in driving transformative change.
Tune in for perspectives on:
●DE&I in the legal industry – then and now
●A powerful pivot: How one career move can lead to new pathways
●The value of sponsors and mentors and the importance of carrying it forward
Appreciating Culture and Identity to Understand Racism
In this episode, Nnedinma C. Ifudu (Nnedi) Nweke, Partner at Akin Gump, provides her views on race in America through the backdrop of her Nigerian culture and identity. She will share how pivotal experiences in college and law school prompted her to take a step back and become more aware of racism. She understood how her background and experiences had a profound impact on her views of Blacks in America. Nnedi embraces her Nigerian identity and has a strong desire to remain connected through work, family and culture.
Tune in for perspectives on:
- The institutionalization of racism
- Understanding and having empathy for the Black experience in America
- The importance of embracing culture and identity as a woman of color
When Fear and Intuition Collide
Angela ONeal, Director of Nextra Solutions at Nexsen Pruet, joins the program to discuss the importance of grabbing hold of ambition and aiming straight for the top. As a first-generation college and advanced degree graduate, Angela addresses how she manifested her childhood dreams into reality and the challenges she faced while entering a male-dominated career as a woman of color. Early on she learned the value of a strong support network and shares her perspective on the importance of mentors, sponsors and allies. Her story also tackles the profound effect of diversity in the legal industry, the necessity of having direct conversations with colleagues around implicit bias, and why we should focus on meeting people where they are.
Tune in for perspectives on:
●Driving transformative change in the legal sector
●Sponsors & Mentors: The Allies you NEED
●Understanding the essence of equality
Being Your Authentic Self in the Workplace
In this episode, Brenda Oliver, Principal at Jackson Lewis P.C. talks about how her immigrant background inspired her to become a business immigration attorney. Growing up in California, Brenda watched many people from diverse backgrounds succeed in their careers. This gave her the courage to keep pursuing her dreams despite the many challenges she met along the way. Often be the only woman of color in a meeting room, she had to overcome her won self-doubt and the bias of others in order to achieve her goals. Brenda hopes that her strides in early years can help more female and diverse attorneys who comes after her, to achieve their full potential regardless of their backgrounds.
Tune in for perspectives on:
•Finding passion and purpose in law as a woman of color
•The importance of seeking mentorship from different backgrounds
•Tips on overcoming self-doubt and becoming your own champion at work
Achieving the Opportunity of a Lifetime
In this episode, Carmen Ortiz, Partner at Anderson & Kreiger LLP and a former U.S. Attorney under the Obama administration, discusses her professional journey in the legal sector and treasured lessons she has learned along the way. Carmen, a native New Yorker, details her journey from growing up in Spanish Harlem to eventually being nominated for a U.S. Attorney seat. Despite many challenges at work and adversity on the homefront, Carmen persevered and sculpted a rewarding career by trusting in her faith and the values instilled by her parents. In this inspiring interview she shares how making strategic pivots, maintaining her confidence, and hard work landed her the opportunity of a lifetime.
Tune in for perspectives on:
● Big aspirations and even bigger qualifications - landing the job based on merit
● Building and scaling your network: mentorship, sponsorship and providing opportunities
● Overcoming sexism and injustices in the legal sector
Beating the Odds and Finding Success on Her Terms
In this episode, Salumeh Loesch, Of Counsel at Klarquist Sparkman, LLP–a full-service Intellectual Property firm in Portland, Oregon–shares her experience as both an immigrant and a woman of color finding her way to personal and professional fulfillment. Though Salumeh came to this country at the tender age of five, with no English or any understanding of American culture, she managed to excel at school, with an undergraduate degree from Cornell and a law school degree from the University of Michigan. She then went on to a successful career in patent litigation while creating and maintaining a home life with her husband and three small children. Through it all, Salumeh has kept her sense of humor and her humility.
Tune in for perspectives on:
- The immigrant experience and social activism
- Gathering data and other strategies for success
- Overcoming ego, making the right choices, and finding balance
Honoring Commitments to Others While Honoring Commitments to Yourself
In this episode, Noreen Kelly, Partner at McGuireWoods, shares her career development from a junior associate to a partner while being a single mother of two. The key to her success is getting clear with what she wants and actively advocating for herself. Her stories reveal the same struggles many working moms have with balancing their professional and personal life. This especially holds true in the legal profession. As a member of McGuireWoods' Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Noreen has observed first-hand, the positive impact her corporate clients have had on improving DEI initiatives at the firm. She offers valuable insight on this, and on how the pandemic will change the way we work post-Covid.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Tips on how to use self-advocacy and mentorship for career advancement
• The rewards and compromises of being a working mom
• Obstacles and opportunities for more flexibility at work and more diversity in law post-Covid
How Women of Color Can Self-Advocate
In this episode, Sabria A. McElroy, Partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, shares her perspectives on the challenges women and people of color face in the legal industry. She offers her insights on how firms and clients can create change by understanding the importance of the ROI of DE&I. She knows that gaining confidence and overcoming internal struggles were part of her path to success. Sabria also realizes that having the support from senior leadership had a tremendous impact on that success. Here, she shares this experience and offers insight into how and why formal mentorship and sponsorship programs are integral to the long-term survival of any organization.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Methods on dismantling imposter syndrome and achieving career goals
• The value of white male allies
• How companies can create mentorship and sponsorship policies that encourage the pairing of those that do not look like you.
How diverse teams are often the best teams and other insights on inclusion.
In this episode, Hillary Holmes, Partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, discusses her career journey in the legal sector and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. A life-long Houstonian, Hillary’s passion for law and business grew from a young age after watching her mother become one of the first female partners at her firm. Hillary shares how the legal sector has come to embrace diversity over the years as well as the benefits of working at a firm where DE&I is viewed as a key component to creating the best legal teams.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Exceeding client expectations through creativity, ingenuity and diversity
• Being mindful of unconscious bias and the negative impact of assumptions and stereotypes
• Keeping the momentum going — making DE&I part of the everyday thought process
Speaking Up for Yourself and Others in Corporate America
In this episode, Caroline Powell Donelan, Co-Chair of the General Litigation Group at Blank Rome LLP, discusses how being harassed as a young associate by a senior partner, informed her ideas on the importance of self-advocacy, diversity at the leadership level and mandatory training for all. After years of practice in labor & employment law handling many cases similar to her own, she says that we still have a long way to go. Caroline offers her insight on how companies and firms can help to create change at every level.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• How organizations can implement DE&I programs effectively to create change from the top down
• How we can learn from failures and change our behavior on a micro-level to reach our full potential at work and in life
Paying for Progress Not Just for Profit!
In this episode, Jennifer Rubin, Member at Mintz Levin–a full service Am Law 100 law firm–addresses the importance of becoming your best self as you rise to the top and accountability in leadership. Choosing to start a family early in her career, it took Jen 13 years to make partner. Along the way she picked up some valuable tips on how to structure a deal and get what she wanted. She also came to embrace the ideal that it is incumbent upon those in leadership to bring underrepresented individuals on to boards and into the C Suite.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• How to communicate your value proposition when structuring a deal
• Best practices for finding, promoting and developing women and people of color
• Holding leadership accountable for effectuating change
Putting the ROI in DEI
In this episode, Susan Berson, Managing Partner of Mintz Levin’s DC office and Member of their Executive Committee discusses her people-first approach to business, life and DEI initiatives. This wide-ranging discussion covers the drive that comes from immigrant parents, the myth of in-house being less stressful and how to integrate DEI at the heart of your business strategy.
Susan outlines thought-provoking and intentional diversity, equity and inclusion strategies that demonstrate how they benefit the whole organization, thereby delivering the ROI on DEI.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• How to listen more and lecture less in order to understand the difficulties that historically excluded groups face
• Creating a more inclusive environment and a sense of belonging that embraces our differences and offers more opportunities for women and people of color
The Price and the Rewards of Pursuing Growth
In this episode, Tamara O’Neill Moreland, Shareholder at Larkin Hoffman, discusses her journey from young attorney to making partner, and the difficulties women must overcome to make their voices heard. Tamara provides a candid perspective on the challenges of recruiting and retaining diverse candidates, calling out micro-aggressions, and developing personal resilience.
Tune in for insights on:
• Making your voice heard in a male-dominant world
• Creating value and building a book of business
• Building sponsorship programs that work
• Using your legal skills to advocate for…yourself!
Getting Straight with Who You are and Who You Were Meant to Be
In this inaugural episode, our own Robyn Frank, VP Diversity and General Counsel for CenterForce USA, shares how she went from passively following the path that was set out for her to becoming an impassioned advocate of DEI. Hear how she learned to reinvent herself in order to realize her own dreams while helping others along the way. As someone working on the frontline with our incredible speakers and sponsors, Robyn will offer insights on self-advocacy, mentorship, allyship and much more.
Tune in for perspectives on:
• Taking ownership of your life regardless of others’ opinion
• Going from a traditional legal career to becoming a DEI activist
• Ways you can show up for yourself and others