Dimensions of Diversity

“Latinx” is an newer term that is increasingly used by the media and various organizations. Yet, what exactly does “Latinx” mean? Where did this term come from? Is the term “Latinx” interchangeable? Does using this term take away the individuality and uniqueness of the cultures it is used to describe?

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman is joined by attorney and current board member of the Hispanic Bar Association, Melinda Colon-Cox, to provide insight on these loaded questions. The two will discuss a bright community full of colorful history, the meaningfulness behind Hispanic Heritage Month, the importance of advocating for one of the fastest growing minority populations in the United States. The episode will highlight the remarkable work of the Hispanic Bar Association that is aimed to remove hurdles and increase representation of “Latinx” individuals within the law community and beyond.
 
 Dimensions of Diversity is a podcast which explores the concept of diversity and inclusion in corporate America. Hosted by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Lloyd Freeman, Dimensions of Diversity features meaningful conversations with industry leaders, D&I experts, attorneys and thought leaders about a variety of subjects, including current events, difficult and sometimes uncomfortable topics, what companies are doing well, what companies need to do better and how our unique experiences, perspectives and viewpoints benefit can move corporate culture forward.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.
 To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

On the first episode of season 2 for Dimensions of Diversity, our host, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Lloyd Freeman is joined by Rachel Williams to discuss navigating uncomfortable conversations in workplace.
 
 As many U.S. workers begin the slow return to the office, they will have to readjust to numerous aspects of in-office life – including how best to approach and have uncomfortable conversations, including those about race. These conversations are nothing new, but with the events of last summer still permeating everyday life, it’s important to give folks a little refresher.

Dimensions of Diversity is a podcast which explores the concept of diversity and inclusion in corporate America. Hosted by Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Lloyd Freeman, Dimensions of Diversity features meaningful conversations with industry leaders, D&I experts, attorneys and thought leaders about a variety of subjects, including current events, difficult and sometimes uncomfortable topics, what companies are doing well, what companies need to do better and how our unique experiences, perspectives and viewpoints benefit can move corporate culture forward.
 
 To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

In every workplace around America, there’s a conversation around how to structure effective mentoring matches. It’s no secret that those who have the benefit of a mentor often attain higher and more equitable salaries, they’re better positioned for promotions and tend to move from satisfaction to engagement within the workplace. But, finding that mentor, cultivating a relationship and sustaining that match can prove difficult, particularly for those individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

Over 3 million Americans are living with a disability. Many of those conditions are very apparent to us. You’ll see some individuals using a wheelchair. Others may require the assistance of a service animal. But, our everyday ableism does not always respect those who are living with invisible disabilities—those that we cannot see or easily ascertain. These individuals, and the diversity they bring to the workplace, demands respect and is protect by laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman is joined by Crystal West Edwards, a principal at Porzio Bromberg & Newman where she specializes in elder and disability law. The two spend time talking about how we can all better understand invisible disabilities.

To learn more about Crystal West Edwards, click here: https://pbnlaw.com/attorneys/edwards-crystal-west/.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

The pharmaceutical industry, like many others, has room for improvement when it comes to diversity. Most recent studies show that approximately 1/3 of the top 50 pharma companies have no women on their board and only 8% of board seats are held by ethnically diverse directors, compared with 14% of the Fortune 500 overall. But there are signs that the industry is heading in the right direction by focusing more on diversity. Civica is an example, with women making up about half of the company’s leadership team, the board of directors and leading critical parts of their business.

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman talks to Jennifer Spalding, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Civica. The two discuss the need for improvement in diversity within the Pharma space and what Spalding and Civica are doing at her company to make a leading difference. 

To learn more about Civica, click here: https://civicarx.org/.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

For people in underrepresented or marginalized groups, microaggressions, microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations are too often experienced. And the resulting effect can be harmful. Individuals may stop speaking up, stop taking risks, experience decreases in productivity, quit jobs and in the most egregious example, file discrimination complaints.

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman is joined by Jeff Marshall, SVP and Head of Diversity, Equity & Belonging at UM Worldwide.

To learn more about UM Worldwide, click here: https://www.umww.com/.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

When you hear the words diversity, equity and inclusion, white male is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, white male leaders offer an important, and perhaps less heard, voice in discussions about transforming organizational culture to support the success of all diverse talent. This advocacy journey is not always linear, but white male allies play a critical role in providing mentorship, resources and opportunity to make their organizations—and leaders—more diverse and inclusive.

To learn more about Greg Jordan click here: https://www.pnc.com/en/about-pnc/company-profile/leadership-team/gregory-b-jordan.html.

To learn more about Joe Dougherty, click here: https://www.bipc.com/joseph-dougherty.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

The number of women in Congress and in state legislatures has been slowly but steadily rising. Though there is still significant underrepresentation of women in government, women are beginning to win more seats in government and have a stronger voice in policymaking. 

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman talks with Representative Joanna E. McClinton (D), House minority leader in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Ms. McClinton represents PA's 191st Legislative District, which encompasses parts of Southwest, West Philly, Montgomery and Delaware counties. In 2018, she became the only Black person and woman ever selected to chair the House Democratic Caucus, and in 2020 became the only Black woman to ever hold a party leadership position in Harrisburg.

In their discussion, Freeman and McClinton discuss the increase of women in politics, the challenges women and specifically Black women face, and what the future holds for her and politics in general.

To learn more about Rep. McClinton, click here: https://www.mcclintonforpa.com/.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

Women in corporate America continue to break glass ceilings, but female talent at C-suite level is still underrepresented. In fact, when it comes to Compliance Officers, just 1/3 are women.

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman is joined by Kathy Gaddes, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for AmerisourceBergen. Gaddes assumed her current role in October 2018 after serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer since 2016. She has been with AmerisourceBergen since 2011.

Freeman and Gaddes discuss the challenges women face in climbing the corporate ladder in the law field, one traditionally dominated by men. They also discuss the risks women take in their jobs compared to men, and what Gaddes has done in her career to advance, with advice for those trying to follow her path.

To learn more about Kathy Gaddes, click here: https://www.amerisourcebergen.com/people/kathy-gaddes.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com.

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, podcast host Lloyd Freeman is joined by Conway Ekpo, a lawyer who has spent half his career in Big Law and shifted to a role in-house at a major corporation. Ekpo is an adjunct law professor and a frequent speaker/writer on diversity in the legal profession.

Freeman and Ekpo discuss whether diversity mandates in the legal field are doing enough to actually improve diversity and inclusion, or if many companies are too quick to celebrate stagnant progress. Specifically, Ekpo discusses Coca-Cola GC Bradley Gayton's recent letter calling out this lack of progress as a crisis for the legal industry and the company's new law firm diversity requirements for its outside counsel.

To learn more about Lloyd Freeman, click here: https://www.bipc.com/lloyd-freeman.

To learn more about Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, visit www.BIPC.com