15 | RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month On November 5, 2021, in honor of Native American and Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, Complex Commercial Litigation partner Luna Barrington Luna Barrington moderated a fireside chat featuring Emily White Hat of the American Indian College Fund. Emily shared personal insights on Native American representation in the legal industry, the importance of tribal colleges and the general impact of COVID-19 on Native American communities. Intersectional Approach: Veteran’s Day Robert Taylor General Nadja West To commemorate Veterans Day in the U.S., Weil Litigation associate and former U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps attorney Robert Taylor on November 12, 2021 hosted a conversation with retired Lieutenant General Nadja West, the first Black Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. Their discussion focused on the importance of mentoring, the genesis of Lieutenant General West’s career in the U.S. military, her journey of transition from military to civilian life and the value of continuing to honor individuals who have served in the Armed Forces. Intersectional Approach: Transgender Awareness Robert Niles-Weed Alejandra Caraballo Anya Marino In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, Robert Niles-Weed, Litigation associate in New York, moderated a fireside chat on November 19, 2021 with Alejandra Caraballo and Anya Marino, the first transgender women of color to teach at Harvard Law School. Alejandra and Anya shared their intersectional experiences as transgender women of color in the legal industry and their insights on creating inclusive spaces for the transgender community. Trailblazing Leadership in Times of Change On February 9, 2022, in honor of Black History Month, Corporate Department Chair Michael Aiello engaged in an in-depth conversation with Ursula Burns, trailblazing CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. Ursula was the first Black woman CEO to head a Fortune 500 company and has been listed multiple times by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. She has also provided leadership counsel to numerous corporate boards and civic entities. In 2021, she published Where You Are Is Not Who You Are: A Memoir. Mike and Ursula discussed Ursula’s life experiences at the highest echelons of Corporate America, and her perspectives on how the past influenced her life outcomes and on leading change for the future. Diversity Committee Co-Chair and partner in the Public Company Advisory Group, Adé Heyliger provided welcoming remarks. I just want to say that this talk has been one of the most important ones I have attended in my 30+ years. I cannot even put all the emotions into words yet, but Ms. Burns you have changed my life in just these 38 minutes. I am taking my mom to dinner who left her successful career, marriage and country, just to give me a fair shot at life. Thank you for being so candid. Program Participant Luna Barrington Emily White Hat Michael Aiello Adé Heyliger Ursula Burns
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