Journeys to Equity

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

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

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

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

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