2025 PRECONFERENCE MAGAZINE_FINAL

CORPORATE COUNSEL WOMEN OF COLOR’S 21ST ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE

DEAR COLLEAGUES, LEADERS, AND TRAILBLAZERS,

Welcome to the 21st Annual Corporate Counsel Women of Color and Kirkland & Ellis LLP Conference, taking place at the iconic Chicago Hilton, October 1–4, 2025. Whether you are joining us for the first time or are a returning member of this remarkable community, I am deeply honored to welcome you to what promises to be one of the most dynamic, empowering, and forward-thinking gatherings in CCWC history.

When I founded Corporate Counsel Women of Color more than two decades ago, I envisioned a powerful global community where women of color attorneys could thrive—where we could share resources, lift each other up, and take our rightful place as leaders in law and business. Today, that vision has become a vibrant reality. With over 5,000 members strong, CCWC has grown into a movement—one that spans law firms, Fortune 500 companies, academia, media, government, and beyond. We are a force of knowledge, excellence, and transformation.

NEW THIS YEAR: EXPANDED EXECUTIVE PROGRAMMING

We’re excited to introduce new programming specifically for senior legal executives, including General Counsel, CLOs, Deputy GCs, and Corporate Secretaries. On Thursday, participants will engage in a CLE session on law department management, and on Friday, we will host a special executive leadership learning session at McDonald’s—a unique opportunity to explore leadership development through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

Laurie Robinson Haden Founder and CEO Corporate Counsel Women of Color

This year’s theme—Clarity, Courage, and Career Elevation—reflects not only where we are, but where we are going. The legal profession is undergoing seismic change. Technology is reshaping our workflows. Global business is demanding more agility, more innovation, and more inclusive leadership. And through it all, we are not just responding—we are leading. This year’s programming was built to meet you at every stage of your leadership journey and propel you toward your next level of impact.

WEDNESDAY BOOT CAMP: POWERING UP WITH CLE

We begin the conference on Wednesday, October 1 with our high-impact CCWC Boot Camp—a full day of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programming designed to position legal professionals at the cutting edge of change. This content-rich track includes sessions on Artificial Intelligence and the Law, emerging trends in complex litigation, and navigating the path to corporate board service. From fiduciary duties to courtroom strategies to technology ethics, our boot camp ensures you’ll leave better informed, better prepared, and ready to lead in today’s fast-evolving legal landscape.

MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE: TWO DAYS OF LEADERSHIP MASTERY

On Thursday and Friday, the heartbeat of the conference unfolds on the Main Stage—featuring sessions designed as a masterclass in executive-level legal leadership. Thursday focuses on navigating transformation, quantifying your value, and leveraging AI responsibly. These sessions are led by general counsel, CLOs, and innovators who will share real strategies—not just theory—for making legal a key driver of enterprise success.

On Friday, we shift inward with a powerful focus on redefining success, mastering self-advocacy, and ascending to the C-suite and boardroom. Whether you’re charting a pivot, seeking expanded scope, or mentoring emerging talent, you’ll walk away with tools to lead authentically, strategically, and unapologetically.

UNFORGETTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH NATIONAL INFLUENCERS

We are proud to feature a lineup of powerhouse keynote speakers whose impact reaches across industries and generations. Join us for fireside conversations with:

• Valerie Jarrett, CEO, The Barack Obama Foundation

• Sunny Hostin, 5x Emmy Award-winning journalist, attorney, and co-host of The View

• Judy Smith, world-renowned crisis strategist and the inspiration for Scandal

• Beverly Johnson, groundbreaking supermodel, entrepreneur, and industry leader

• Juliette Richardson, founder of The HistoryMakers and a champion of cultural preservation

These women are more than keynote speakers—they are living case studies in clarity, courage, and leadership. Their wisdom will inspire you to lead with purpose and drive lasting change in your organization and beyond.

CONNECTION, COACHING & CELEBRATION

Beyond the main stage, you’ll find breakout sessions, executive coaching circles, business development workshops, and networking activations designed to help you build relationships and grow your leadership impact. From hallway conversations to curated events, this community is your catalyst for next-level success. And on Saturday, we close with joy and celebration at our Close-Out Celebration featuring gospel legend Ricky Dillard. It’s not just a party—it’s a powerful affirmation of the brilliance, resilience, and sisterhood that defines CCWC.

A FINAL WORD

As you take your seat—whether in a workshop, at a fireside chat, or across from a future collaborator—remember this: you belong here. This space was created for you. You are not just a participant—you are a leader, a strategist, a visionary. Let this experience ignite your purpose, sharpen your path, and affirm your power.

We are excited to see you in Chicago. Welcome to CCWC. Let’s rise together.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Registration

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

7:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Shopping on Magnificent Mile (On Your Own)

CCWC Speed Networking @ The Chicago Hilton

CCWC Speed Mentoring @ The Chicago Hilton

Evening Bus Tour Chicago with Chicago’s Trolley

Taste of Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza @ Giordano’s

Escape the Room - On the Run @ The Chicago Hilton

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025

6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Registration

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Lululemon Morning Run CCWC® Morning Fitness

6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m. –10:30 p.m.

CCWC Boot Camp

Kick-Off Reception @ The Chicago Hilton

EVENING ACTIVITIES

Lucky Strike Bowling • Taste of Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza @ Giordano’s CLO Dinner - STK Steakhouse • Escape the Room-On the Run

Paint the Town at Chicago Hilton

Fun Club Night @ Beauty Bar • Top Golf Swing Suite

Chicago Dine-Around (Casino Experience)

Duty of Competence: Keeping Up with Changes in Law, Technology and IP Trends

The Power of Authenticity in Executive Leadership

Adapting to Change: Compliance Strategies for an Evolving Regulatory Landscape in 2025

Advancing Child and Teen Privacy and Online Safety–Legislative, Regulatory, Enforcement, and Oversight Developments

Artificial Intelligence: Optimizing Impact for In-House Attorneys

Managing the Risks of Major Accidents

Empowering Women Through Life’s Transitions: From Fertility to Mastering Midlife

Hormonal Changes Like a Boss

Regulatory Environment

Securing the Corner Office: Proven Tips for Career Advancement

The Future of Work: Key Labor and Employment Law Trends Shaping 2025

Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging Analytics for Competitive Advantage

Personal Branding and Self-Promotion Strategies: Standing Out and Advancing Your Career

Healing from Workplace Trauma: Pathways to Recovery

Transformational Leadership: Inspiring Change and Empowering Others

Crisis Management and Internal Investigations

Managing Risks in an Artificial Intelligence-Driven World

Chief Legal Officer Summit: Bridging Law and Business for Executive Leadership Success Building & Managing Client Relationships

Hot Topics in Litigation Artificial Intelligence and Privacy

Beyond the Balance: Shaping Sustainable Success for Attorneys in Asset Management

Rethinking NDAs and Whistleblowers in Immigration and Fraud Investigations

Mindfulness in Legal Practice: Incorporating Wellness into Work

The New Rules Around Inclusion in the New Landscape

Revisiting Your Antitrust Playbook: Navigating Antitrust Issues in a Post-Chevron New Administration Era Navigating the Legal Landscape: Empowering First-Generation Attorneys for Success

The Art of Influence: Becoming a Trusted Advisor and Maximizing Your Impact

Doing It All –Balancing Lawyering & Family

The Trump Administration: Public Policy and Legislative Trends

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership: The Key to Inspiring and Influencing Your Team

Navigating the Path to Corporate Board Success

The Resilience Toolkit: Skills for Navigating Difficult Times and Life’s Transitions

Breaking Barriers in Leadership Understanding Life Sciences Regulations: Essential Insights for Legal Professionals Business Development Strategies and Networking Mastery to Create Long-Term Relationships

Level Up: Blueprint for Enterprise Agreements Built to Last

Law Firm Partners and GCs: Collaborative Strategies to Enhance Legal Effectiveness

Cybersecurity: Securing the Future

M&A: Developments and Trends 2025

All Rise: The Ins and Outs of Jury Testing and Using it to Your Advantage

Trump Administration 2.0: What the First 3 Quarters Mean for the Next 3 Years in Banking, Tech, and Trade

Enhancing Your Negotiation Strategy: Tips for Success

Anatomy of an Operational Risk Assessment

Balance in HighPowered Careers: Advice from Reformed Unbalanced Women on How They Flipped the Script for a More Balanced Lifestyle

Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Essential Skills for Leadership

Navigating the Upward Climb: Maximizing the Value of Your Presence in Underrepresented Spaces

Fostering an Innovation Mindset Across Legal

Ethical Challenges in the Legal Profession: Maintaining Integrity in Complex Scenarios

Resilience and Adaptability: Thriving Through Career Transitions and Uncertainty

B.E.T.T.T. on Your Team: A Strategic Framework that Aligns Budget, Engagement, Talent, Technology and Transformation

Unlearning Silence: Bridging Gaps Through Open Dialogue and Authentic Expression

The Art of Building Your Professional Brand Through Strategic Networking

Financial Acumen for Attorneys: Mastering Essential Financial Strategies

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Lululemon Morning Run CCWC® Morning Fitness

6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Welcome & Call to Action

8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

10 Strategies for Managing Challenges, Adapting to Change, Seizing New Opportunities During Unforeseen Turbulence

The Art of the Deal: The Seller and Buyer Perspectives

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. AI Unleashed: Practical Applications for Legal Professionals

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CLO Roundtable

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch Break A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett (CEO, Obama Foundation)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025

2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Navigating Your Path to the Top: A Strategic Guide for Ascending to the C-Suite & Boardroom

A Conversation About the Future of Cryptocurrency and Impact with the Legal Profession with Paul Grewal (CLO, Coinbase)

10 Essential Ways to Provide Exceptional Service to Your Internal Business and In-House Clients

Decoded & Undeterred: Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Corporate & Law Firm Culture

NETWORKING DINNER RECEPTIONS

Gibsons Bar | LUXBAR | McCormick & Schmick’s | Carnivale | Maggiano’s

EVENING ACTIVITIES

Top Golf • Club Night at Tao • Paint and Sip at the Hotel Karaoke Bar • Salsa Dancing

8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Compensation Strategies in the C-Suite and Key Contractual Provisions to Understand

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Legal Leadership in Crisis: Strategies for Effective Response and Recovery

TRACK ONE (Continental A)

Building High-Performance Legal Teams: Attracting, Retaining, and Developing Talent

Measuring Success: Key Metrics for Legal Department Performance to Secure Additional Resources Needed to Run the Department Effectively

TRACK TWO (Continental C)

Proactive Risk Management: Building a Culture of Compliance and Ethics

Incident Response Planning: Legal Considerations and Best Practices

12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Data Governance in the Legal Landscape: Protecting Information and Enhancing Performance

Conducting Internal Investigations: Best Practices and Legal Considerations

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Registration

6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Lululemon Morning Run CCWC® Morning Fitness

6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Breakfast

7:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Welcome & Call to Action

Business “Unusual”: Disrupting the Norm to Create Sustainable Change Through Courageous Leadership

Designing Your Career with Intention: Lessons from Apple Legal with Candace Martin (Director, Privacy Legal Group) Moderated by Tamoka Bellard

It’s Time: Career Crossroads – Deciding Whether to Stay or Move On

Success Redefined: Creating Your Own Definition & Pathway

Empowering Your Career Path by Valuing Yourself: A Masterclass in Self-Advocacy

Fireside with 5x Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Attorney Sunny Hostin

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

Shopping on Magnificent Mile • Community Service Activity

Daytime Bus Tour Chicago with Chicago’s Trolley

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Chicago Private Food Tour • Museum of Ice Cream

Lincoln Park Zoo • Top Golf • Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour City Winery • Interactive Culinary Team Building Experience (Latin American Cuisine)

Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise

EVENING ACTIVITIES

Movie Night @ AMC Theatres Private Dinner River Cruise

Architectural Dining Experience

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Lucky Strike Bowling

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Chicago Progressive Dine Around Tour

9:15 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Close Out Dinner Reception @ Tortoise Supper Club

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025

Power and Inspiration Breakfast with Grammy Award-Winning Artist Ricky Dillard

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Laurie Robinson Haden – Founder, CEO, and Visionary Force Behind the CCWC Conference

LAURIE ROBINSON HADEN FOUNDER

& CEO

CORPORATE COUNSEL WOMEN OF COLOR

Laurie Robinson Haden is a business executive, legal strategist, and innovator shaping the future of law and leadership. She is the Founder, President, and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color® (CCWC®), a premier organization for executive attorneys in corporate and law firm roles. Laurie previously served as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Litigation at CBS Corporation, overseeing complex legal matters for nearly two decades. In July 2025, Laurie earned a certificate in Artificial Intelligence Strategies for Business Innovation from Northwestern’s Kellogg School, reinforcing her focus on legal innovation. She leads programs such as the CCWC Law + AI Annual Summit, the CLO Symposium, and the MBA for Lawyers Initiative. She is the author of It’s Time to Shine. She received her B.A. from North Carolina Central University, magna cum laude, and earned her Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

STACIA MARIE JONES

VICE PRESIDENT AND GLOBAL HEAD OF INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACTION, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, AND EMPLOYEE POLICY & COMPLIANCE LULULEMON

Stacia Marie Jones is a forward-thinking executive. Stacia began her career at a national law firm, where she gave labor and employment advice, litigated employment matters, and handled labor arbitration. Then, she went to work in-house with Abercrombie & Fitch, where she served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. She advised all facets of the business on global employment matters and executed diversity and inclusion initiatives. Stacia then led a global team of lawyers and supported professionals who investigated workplace complaints for Microsoft. Stacia is now with lululemon athletica inc. as Vice President and Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action, Employee Relations, and Employment Policy & Compliance. The three teams focus on setting the scaffolding for thriving in lululemon’s culture of inclusion. In addition, Stacia is Dean’s Impact Scholar Emeritus and Affiliate Instructor for the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

Strategies for Managing Challenges, Adapting to Change, Seizing New Opportunities During Unforeseen Turbulence

10 Strategies for Managing Challenges, Adapting to Change, Seizing New Opportunities During Unforeseen Turbulence

CANDACE RODRIGUEZ

HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPLIER PIPELINE THE HOME DEPOT

Candace Rodriguez is Head of Sustainability and Supplier Pipeline at The Home Depot. In this role, Candace oversees all environmental sustainability matters, including climate change strategy and sustainable forestry management. Candace also leads the team focused on connecting sourcing needs with the capabilities of a wide range of suppliers, fostering innovation and supply chain resilience. Before her current role, Candace led the Global Brands and Product Development Building Materials department, where she brought new private label product assortments to market. Candace was a member of The Home Depot’s senior legal leadership team as Associate General Counsel managing commercial transactions, regulatory issues, and the company’s global intellectual property portfolio. Before The Home Depot, Candace spent five years as an Associate at King & Spalding LLP focused on commercial transactions. Candace earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

10 Strategies for Managing Challenges, Adapting to Change, Seizing New Opportunities During Unforeseen Turbulence

JULIEANNA L. RICHARDSON FOUNDER &

PRESIDENT

THE HISTORYMAKERS

Julieanna L. Richardson is a distinguished educator, historian, and advocate dedicated to preserving African American heritage. As the Founder and President of The HistoryMakers, she has pioneered efforts to document and share the stories of African Americans through multimedia projects, including oral histories, documentaries, and educational programs. Julieanna’s work emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation, ensuring that future generations understand and celebrate their history. She holds a doctorate in education and has served in various leadership roles in academia and nonprofit sectors. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards and recognition for promoting diversity and inclusion in education and media. Through her leadership at The HistoryMakers, Julieanna has significantly impacted historical scholarship, community engagement, and cultural awareness. Her dedication to storytelling and education continues to inspire audiences nationwide, fostering a greater understanding of African American history and achievements.

DEBRA HUNTER JOHNSON

FOUNDER AND CEO

RECIPROCITY CONSULTING GROUP

Debra Hunter Johnson is a board director, attorney, and seasoned entrepreneur who helps founders and leaders build careers and companies with clarity, purpose, and staying power. As the founder of Reciprocity Consulting Group, board member of Oncor Electric Delivery Company, UT Southwestern Medical Center, the Dallas Economic Development Corporation and a former HR Vice President at American Airlines, Debra brings unmatched experience navigating high-stakes leadership, complex risk landscapes, and people-centered growth. With a sharp legal mind and a deep understanding of organizational behavior, Debra is a trusted advisor to CEOs and first-time founders alike, empowering leaders to move faster and smarter by helping them accelerate their path to wisdom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Howard University where she was the Symposium Editor of the Howard Law Journal and an entrepreneur certificate from Southern Methodist University.

10 Strategies for Managing Challenges, Adapting to Change, Seizing New Opportunities During Unforeseen Turbulence

AYESHA CURRY

RENOWNED RESTAURATEUR, CHEF, 2X NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, ACTRESS, PRODUCER, AND ENTREPRENEUR FEATURED ON FORBES “30 UNDER 30” LIST

Ayesha Curry is a renowned restaurateur, chef, 2x New York Times bestselling author, actress, producer, and entrepreneur featured on Forbes “30 Under 30” list. She is the Founder and CEO of Sweet July, her lifestyle and culinary brand celebrating women and BIPOC creators. Founded in 2019, Sweet July has a brick-and-mortar café in Santa Monica. Since its launch, the Sweet July enterprise has grown to include Sweet July Magazine, Sweet July Productions, Sweet July Skin inspired by her Jamaican heritage, and Sweet July Books. Products from her skincare line and home collection have earned major recognition including placement on Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023 and 2024. Ayesha is the co-founder of Domaine Curry, a premium wine brand aiming to define and lead the wine category for Black and multicultural women. Alongside her husband, Stephen Curry, she co-founded Eat. Learn. Play., a non-profit committed to empowering children and creating lasting impact.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

AISHA PINTO LAVINIER PARTNER

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

Aisha Lavinier is a corporate partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She advises public and private companies and financial sponsors on complex business transactions, including structuring and negotiating strategic mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, leveraged buyouts, structured equity and private credit financings, recapitalizations, incentive equity arrangements, and other corporate matters. Aisha has represented clients in industries including software, technology, media and telecommunications, energy and infrastructure, food and beverage, financial services, industrials and specialty chemicals, healthcare, pharmaceutical, retail, consumer products, transportation, and logistics. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University and her Juris Doctor from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, graduating cum laude and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property. Aisha serves on the board of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and on the board of directors for Link Unlimited.

JASON ROOD

VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC.

Jason Rood is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in corporate development and valuation. As Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, Jason has held various roles within the company, including Senior Manager and Manager of Corporate Development. Prior experience includes positions as a Senior Consultant at Empire Valuation Consultants, Manager of Valuation & Business Modeling at EY, and Senior Associate at KPMG. Jason’s expertise encompasses distressed investments, structured equity, and financial modeling, aimed at supporting strategic, tax, and financial reporting objectives. Educational credentials include an MBA in Finance, Strategy, and Corporate Accounting from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Economics, and Marketing from Niagara University.

The Art of the Deal: The Seller and Buyer Perspectives

TIFFANIE C. DE LIBERTY

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL, CHIEF ETHICS & COMPLIANCE OFFICER CONSTELLATION BRANDS, INC.

Tiffanie De Liberty is the SVP, General Counsel for the Wine & Spirits Division of Constellation Brands, Inc., and serves as the company’s Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. As General Counsel, she is a key member of the Wine & Spirits leadership team, shaping business strategy and overseeing five legal teams, including Advertising, Trademarks, Contracts, Labor & Employment, and Legal Operations. In her compliance role, De Liberty leads efforts to maintain high ethical standards, chairs the Corporate Compliance Committee, and reports compliance activities to the Board’s Audit Committee. She also manages global environmental, health, and safety compliance. Previously, she was Vice President, Associate General Counsel, focusing on advertising, marketing, and trade practices. De Liberty is an executive sponsor of WISE, the company’s women’s BRG. Her earlier experience includes roles at Jackson Family Wines and top international law firms.

The Art of the Deal: The Seller and Buyer Perspectives

The Art of the Deal: The Seller and Buyer Perspectives

FEATURED SPEAKERS

HAIXIA LIN PARTNER WILMERHALE

Haixia Lin is a partner in WilmerHale’s Intellectual Property Group and a member of the firm’s AI Committee. Her practice focuses on patent litigation, post-grant proceedings, and patent prosecution and counseling in an array of engineering fields, including electrical and computer engineering. She has litigated patents in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission, and represented clients before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, all across a wide range of technology industries, including microprocessors, wireless devices, medical devices, and artificial intelligence (AI). Leveraging her technical background, Haixia has counseled clients on patent portfolio strategy for their AI innovations, patent infringement risk for their AI products, and IP risks of generative AI tools. As a member of the firm’s AI Committee, she oversees the firm’s evaluation, adoption, and governance of AI tools. Haixia received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from MIT, and her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

TARA ELLIOTT PARTNER

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

Tara Elliott is a nationally recognized first-chair trial lawyer who specializes in high-profile intellectual property disputes and complex commercial litigation. Drawing from her unique background in both private practice and government service, she advises leading technology, retail, and manufacturing companies on issues involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and commercial contracts. Tara currently serves as a Trustee for the Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Intellectual Property Law. She has also served on key advisory councils for the Federal and Third Circuits and participated in judicial selection panels in the District of Delaware. A former Special Master in the U.S. District Court for Delaware, Tara clerked for Chief Judge Gregory M. Sleet and Judge Raymond C. Clevenger. She began her career at the CIA as a Computer Engineer and Intelligence Analyst. Tara has also served for over a decade on a regional health care board and is consistently ranked among the top IP litigators by leading legal publications.

AI Unleashed: Practical Applications for Legal Professionals

MARIE RICHMOND

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COUNSEL

Marie Richmond is Intellectual Property Counsel at Uber Technologies, Inc., specializing in brand protection, including trademark enforcement, disputes, and portfolio management, while also advising in the area of copyright law. Previously, she was a partner at Loza & Loza LLP, where she counseled small businesses on the trademark clearance and prosecution process and managed litigation matters. She also served as a partner at ESCA Legal, advising clients on global trademark portfolio strategies and leading the litigation practice. Marie was an Associate Attorney at Rodenbaugh Law, handling domain and trademark disputes. She was part of a team that successfully defended against a cybersquatting claim in a federal jury trial. Marie holds a B.S. in business and an M.S. in mass communications from San José State University, where she was a member of the Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society. She earned her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

AI Unleashed: Practical Applications for Legal Professionals

JONICE M. GRAY PARTNER & CHAIR, CONSUMER FINANCIAL SERVICES

PAUL HASTINGS

Jonice M. Gray is Chair of the Consumer Financial Services practice at Paul Hastings. She specializes in work with banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other companies providing financial products and services. She works with many of the largest banks and non-bank financial institutions, emerging companies such as fintechs, and retailers whose business operations include consumer and small business finance. Her work is focused on high-stakes legal proceedings, including matters initiated by federal and state regulators, private civil litigation, and internal investigations. She also counsels clients on compliance with consumer protection laws. Jonice routinely provides strategic advice to senior corporate leaders, including boards of directors, as they navigate complex, and often unexpected, business and legal challenges. She is a past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Banking Law Committee and an Independent Director with Marriott Vacations Worldwide. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from Yale University.

DOROTHY CAPERS

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND CORPORATE SECRETARY

C.H. ROBINSON

Dorothy G. Capers is Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at C.H. Robinson. Before joining C.H. Robinson, Dorothy served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Xylem, Inc. Previously, she was the Global General Counsel at National Express. Prior to National Express, Dorothy was Associate General Counsel for US Foods, Inc., responsible for the Legal Department’s Litigation and Bankruptcy/ Finance teams. She was also a member of the team leading US Foods through a proposed merger with Sysco Corporation. Before US Foods, Dorothy worked extensively as a litigator in the state, county and local government as well as in the private sector for law firms and corporations. Her government experience includes her leadership as a Deputy Corporation Counsel with the City of Chicago and as a prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. Dorothy earned her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, Washington D.C. and B.A. from the University of Illinois, Champaign, IL.

Chief Legal Officer Roundtable

Chief Legal Officer Roundtable

THOMAS KIM

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, & CORPORATE SECRETARY GARTNER

Thomas Kim is the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Gartner, which provides actionable insights to executives. Also, he is the interim leader of the Gartner Digital Markets business. Previously, Thomas was the Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary of Thomson Reuters. Notably, he led the separation of the $6 billion financial data division and managed the company’s China business. Earlier in his career, Thomas practiced law in San Francisco with Baker McKenzie and Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft (now Duane Morris). He serves on the Advisory Council of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance and the Board of Counselors of Equal Justice Works. Thomas is the recipient of the Justice in Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers” by Canadian Lawyer magazine. Thomas holds undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

BEVERLY ALLEN

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, CHIEF COMPLIANCE AND PRIVACY OFFICER, AND CORPORATE SECRETARY INOVALON

Beverly is Inovalon’s Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer, and Corporate Secretary. She also oversees Inovalon’s corporate compliance and privacy programs. Prior to joining Inovalon in 2016, Beverly was the Chief Integrity Officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., a nationally recognized health care provider. Beverly’s previous experience also includes various leadership positions with Booz Allen Hamilton, SRA International, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Education’s District of Columbia Enforcement Office. Beverly is a member of the District of Columbia Bar’s Legal Ethics Committee and the board of directors of Appleseed Network, a nonprofit network of justice centers across the United States and Mexico. She also serves on the board of directors of Intapp. Beverly received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and a master’s degree from Georgetown University.

WANJI WALCOTT

CHIEF LEGAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS OFFICER PINTEREST

Wanji Walcott is the Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest and is responsible for leading Legal, Compliance, Government Affairs & Social Responsibility, Philanthropy, ESG & Sustainability and Trust & Safety. As an experienced senior executive, Wanji advises senior leadership and the board of directors and has extensive experience with corporate governance, technology & innovation, compliance, government relations, investigations and M&A. Prior to joining Pinterest, Wanji served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer at Discover Financial Services. Wanji also served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel at PayPal and held positions at American Express, Lockheed Martin IMS Corporation and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. She is on the board of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Wanji also serves on the Frederick Gunn School board of trustees and Women’s Board of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chief Legal Officer Roundtable

Chief Legal Officer Roundtable

LILLIAN S. HARDY

PARTNER, INVESTIGATIONS, WHITE COLLAR, AND FRAUD/CRISIS LEADERSHIP TEAM

HOGAN LOVELLS (US) LLP

Strategically perceptive, Lillian S. Hardy founded the firm’s Crisis Leadership Practice after recognizing a market need for legal services that account for reputation management. Her practice focuses on controversies and investigations emanating from a wide array of incidents across all industries. She has a particular focus on consumer protection investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations, cybersecurity and data privacy-related investigations, and anything pertaining to fraud or misconduct. Recognized by Bloomberg Law, Global Investigations Review, and the National Law Journal, among others, as a leader beyond her years, Lillian has managed incidents and investigations for clients across five continents. She is regularly sought out for representations where both government enforcement and the threat of public “cancellation” loom large. Lillian is one of Hogan Lovells’ most senior leaders as a member of the firm’s global board of directors and the Americas management team, and serves as a sponsor to underrepresented Lawyers at Hogan Lovells and beyond.

Chief Legal Officer Roundtable

FEATURED SPEAKERS

VALERIE JARRETT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER CEO, THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION

Valerie Jarrett serves as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of The Barack Obama Foundation. She authored The New York Times bestselling book, Finding My Voice. Valerie holds various board positions, including those in Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., Ralph Lauren Corporation, and Sweetgreen, Inc. Valerie was the longest-serving Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, overseeing the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, and chairing the White House Council on Women and Girls. Her work focused on expanding access to the middle class, boosting American businesses, and empowering women. With a background in both public and private sectors, she previously served as CEO of The Habitat Company, Commissioner of Planning and Development for Chicago, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley. Jarrett earned her Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.

ALFREDA BRADLEY-COAR

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF LEGAL AND PEOPLE OFFICER THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION

Alfreda Bradley-Coar is the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and People Officer for The Barack Obama Foundation. Known for her strategic thought leadership and enterprise risk expertise, she thrives in organizations undergoing dynamic change, offering valuable insights in legal, financial, regulatory, operational, and human capital management. Before this, Alfreda was the Principal Advisor for The Bradley Coar Enterprise Risk & Strategy Group and spent 23 years at General Electric (GE) in senior executive and general counsel roles, where she managed and transformed business and law departments. Alfreda is deeply committed to civic engagement, serving on the boards of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Chicago State Foundation, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). Alfreda holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

MICHELE C. MEYER-SHIPP

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DRESS FOR SUCCESS WORLDWIDE

Michele C. Meyer-Shipp is the former CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, where she led 130 + affiliates across 23 countries. Before this role, Michele was the Chief People & Culture Officer at Major League Baseball (MLB). She advised the Commissioner and leaders across MLB and Minor League teams. Before MLB, Michele served as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at KPMG LLP, managing talent initiatives and strategic partnerships. Her experience also includes serving as Global Chief Diversity Officer for Prudential Financial and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. A graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall Law School, Michele is a sought-after speaker and media contributor, recognized with numerous awards, including being recently named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 List in the impact category. Michele is the Chair of the HR and Legal & Governance Committees for the LPGA Board. She is the Board Chair of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation.

A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett

A Conversation with Valerie Jarrett

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Navigating Your Path to the Top: A Strategic Guide for Ascending to the C-Suite & Boardroom

ILIANA ONGUN PARTNER MILBANK LLP

Iliana Ongun is a partner in the New York office of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Global Corporate Group. Iliana advises public and private companies across a wide range of industries concerning mergers and acquisitions, including cross-border and domestic acquisitions and divestitures, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and spin-offs. Iliana also advises companies and sponsors on shareholder activism, take-over defense strategies, and other corporate governance matters. She is an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School, where she teaches a course on mergers and acquisitions. Since 2016, Iliana has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine, and in 2023 was also named a “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She is admitted to practice in the state of New York.

ANGEL SHELTON WILLIS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL GENERAL COUNSEL, AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

Angel Shelton Willis is the Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel & Corporate Affairs Officer at The Kraft Heinz Company, where she oversees the Global Legal and Corporate Affairs teams, encompassing Ethics & Compliance, Government Affairs, Regulatory, and Communications. With over 25 years of experience, Angel previously served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Sealed Air Corporation, where she managed global legal, ethics & compliance, regulatory, corporate affairs, and strategic sustainability matters. Before Sealed Air, she held legal leadership roles at Ingersoll Rand Company (now Trane Technologies) and earlier in her career as Corporate Counsel at Cummins Inc. and Associate at Ice Miller. Angel holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and an MBA from Clemson University, along with a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois. Angel is also an independent director at SPX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: SPXC).

Navigating Your Path to the Top: A Strategic Guide for Ascending to the C-Suite & Boardroom

Navigating Your Path to the Top: A Strategic Guide for Ascending to the C-Suite & Boardroom

TIFFANY M. HALL

GENERAL COUNSEL MASTERCARD

Tiffany Hall is General Counsel for Mastercard, a member of the management committee and leads the global law department. Prior, she served as General Counsel of the Americas and as chief of staff to the CEO amongst other roles at Mastercard. Previously, Tiffany served as acting head of marketing, legal support and counsel at Pernod Ricard USA, and worked in marketing at Sotheby’s auction house, Atlantic Records and Ogilvy & Mather. Tiffany serves on the boards of the Monster Beverage Corporation, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and NYSE Institute advisory board. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a David Rockefeller Fellow at the Partnership for New York City. She is founder and owner of Empower Cocktails, a ready-to-pour cocktail brand. Tiffany was named a 2025 Legend in Law by the Burton Foundation. Tiffany received her BA from Duke University and JD from Fordham University’s School of Law.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Navigating Your Path to the Top: A Strategic Guide for Ascending to the C-Suite & Boardroom

CARLOS M. BROWN PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROJECTS OFFICER, AND CORPORATE SECRETARY DOMINION ENERGY SERVICES

Carlos M. Brown is executive vice president, chief administrative and projects officer, and corporate secretary of Dominion Energy. In addition he serves as president–Dominion Energy Services. He also serves as the corporate secretary for Dominion Energy’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining the company, Carlos was the managing partner of Brown Martin PC and previously practiced law as an associate at McGuireWoods LLP. Carlos chairs the board of trustees at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and as a board member of the Dominion Energy Credit Union and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. In 2018 and 2024, Savoy Magazine named Carlos one of the most influential African American Attorneys in America. In 2025 Carlos was recognized as a Virginia Black Business Leader by Virginia Business Magazine and received the National Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section Gateway for Success Award. Carlos received his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Virginia where he was an Echols, Achievement, Underwood and Hardy Cross Dillard Scholar.

JESSICA LIOU PARTNER

WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES

Jessica Liou is a partner in the Restructuring Department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She represents clients in all aspects of liability management and distressed transactions. Jessica represents or has represented several high-profile clients, including Terraform Labs, a Singapore-based software developer and creator of the Terra blockchain and Luna token, in its chapter 11; PG&E Corporation, the largest utility in California, in its chapter 11 resolving over $50 billion in asserted liabilities; Westinghouse Electric, in its chapter 11 and sale to Brookfield for $4.6 billion; and retailers Claire’s and Sears in their respective chapter 11’s. In 2024, she was named a “Rising Star” for Restructuring and Insolvency by IFLR1000, listed in Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, named among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, and recommended for Restructuring by Legal 500. Jessica earned her Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School and her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from New York University.

A Conversation About the Future of Cryptocurrency and Impact on the Legal Profession With Paul Grewal (CLO, Coinbase)

PAUL GREWAL CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER COINBASE

Paul Grewal is the Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase where he oversees all legal functions of the global business. Paul joined Coinbase from Facebook, where he served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Before Facebook, Paul spent more than five years as the U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. During Paul’s tenure as a Magistrate Judge, he oversaw more than a thousand cases and earned the trust of companies and individuals alike for his objectivity and deep understanding of complex technological issues. He played significant roles in Apple v. Samsung and Oracle v. Google, two of the most closely watched technology cases of the decade. At Facebook, he grew his legal team to more than 200 people, overseeing regulatory affairs, litigation, and commercial issues, among others. Paul received his B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School.

10

FEATURED SPEAKERS

JACQUELINE YIN

PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY COUNSEL

UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Jacqueline Yin is a Privacy & Cybersecurity Counsel at Uber, where she advises product, engineering, data science, and safety teams on building privacy into products from the start. Before her tenure at Uber, Jacqueline was a Privacy & Product Counsel at Atlassian, where she helped build a global privacy program that extended beyond the GDPR and the CCPA, in addition to advising on compliance with the GDPR, CCPA, VCDPA, and other US state privacy laws. Prior to that, Jackie was a Privacy & Cybersecurity consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she developed robust privacy programs and provided risk assessments for Fortune 500 clients, and at the Computer and Communications Industry Association, where she advocated for a federal privacy law, responsible AI development, and fact-driven antitrust enforcement. Jacqueline graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics & Law, and from the George Washington University Law School. She is also CIPP/ US and CIPP/E certified.

SHERRESE SMITH

GLOBAL MANAGING PARTNER PAUL HASTINGS

Sherrese Smith is the Global Managing Partner of Paul Hastings. As Global Managing Partner, she helps direct the growth, management, and strategy of the firm. She previously served as Vice Chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice and is consistently ranked as a leading Lawyer in Chambers USA and Legal 500. Before joining Paul Hastings, she served as Chief Counsel to Chairman Julius Genachowski at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Before joining the FCC, she was Vice President and General Counsel of Washington Post Digital. She serves on the board of directors of Gen Digital and Cable ONE and is Vice Chair of the Northwestern Pritzker Law Board, as well as a member of the University of Maryland’s Journalism School board and America’s Public Television Stations executive board. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina and her Juris Doctor from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

10 Essential Ways to Provide Exceptional Service to Your Internal Business and In-House Clients

LINA DAGNEW PARTNER

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

A partner in the Litigation Department at Paul, Weiss, Lina Dagnew is a trial lawyer who represents domestic and international clients in various complex commercial and civil litigation matters, internal investigations, white collar defense, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters. Lina counsels clients across a broad range of industries on sensitive litigation matters, and has handled litigation and regulatory matters as In-House Counsel at one of the largest financial institutions. Lina was recently named to “The 2024 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation” and Benchmark Litigation’s “40 and Under Hot List.” She maintains an active pro bono practice and serves on the board of the Urban Justice Center. Lina received her Bachelor of Arts from Manchester University where she graduated summa cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where she provided direct legal representation to clients for two years as a member of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

NEEMA SAHNI PARTNER COVINGTON

Neema Sahni is a Chambers-ranked partner and Co-Chair of Covington’s Commercial Litigation and Entertainment & Media practices, and she serves as go-to counsel for some of the biggest names in entertainment and technology. Through her work at Covington and her prior experience in-house at Disney, Neema has developed a sophisticated understanding of the legal and business issues impacting content creators and platforms. Her practice includes complex commercial matters, ranging from royalty disputes to copyright and trademark infringement, defamation, consumer class actions, antitrust, and licensing and distribution-related litigation. She has received recognition for her work from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Sports Business Journal, The Recorder, and Law360, and was honored as a finalist for Chambers USA’s DEI: Outstanding Contribution award. She co-leads the API@Cov Resource Group and serves as a mentor for Covington’s partnership with Sony Music’s Full Scale Fellowship program. Neema graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.

HEIDI HENNIG ROWE

PARTNER, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS PRACTICE VENABLE

Heidi Hennig Rowe is a partner in Venable’s Intellectual Property Transactions Practice in the Washington, D.C. office. She focuses on transactions involving intellectual property and technology. Her expertise extends to copyright and trademark issues in mergers, acquisitions, and financings, as well as IP due diligence. She frequently advises on open source software issues and has experience with a wide range of technologies, including AI, machine learning, and blockchain. Heidi also has significant experience in privacy and data security matters. Before joining Venable, she was a partner at another major law firm. Heidi is recognized for her legal acumen, being listed in Chambers USA for Technology & Outsourcing and named a “Legal Lion” by Law360. She serves as a past president of the Giles S. Rich American Inn of Court. She earned a B.A. in English from Pomona College and her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall).

Decoded & Undeterred: Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Corporate & Law Firm Culture

JILL B. LOUIS

Jill B. Louis is the Managing Partner of the Dallas office of Perkins Coie, where she advises companies on growth-oriented, liquidity-creating, and transformational strategies. Her expertise spans strategic transitions for entrepreneurs, private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and Fortune 50® members, with a focus on the infrastructure, retail, transportation, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. Before joining Perkins Coie, Jill served as General Counsel for a large private equity portfolio company with over $1 billion in annual revenue. She also held the position of General Counsel for a multinational shared workspace company, managing both owned and franchised locations globally. For over a decade, she led the transactions group for the retail operating company of a global courier delivery service, handling commercial and technology transactions in North America and Asia. Jill earned her Bachelor of Arts in journalism, magna cum laude, from Howard University and her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She is on the board of directors for Thrivent.

MANAGING PARTNER OF THE DALLAS OFFICE PERKINS COIE

10 Essential Ways to Provide Exceptional Service to Your Internal Business and In-House Clients

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Decoded & Undeterred: Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Corporate & Law Firm Culture

JENNY PLAGMAN PARTNER

JONES DAY

Jenny Plagman is a trial lawyer who represents and advises employers in a diverse range of labor and employment matters. Her practice focuses on individual and complex disputes arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Jenny’s practice includes conducting and advising clients on high-stakes internal investigations, and counseling clients on human resources matters, including compensation practices, worker classification, state law compliance, employment agreements, and workplace sensitivity. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, and is a member of the Cook County, Federal, Chicago, and Illinois Bar Associations and the National Employment Law Council. Jenny earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and has a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Notre Dame.

MICHELLE LOPEZ

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, PARADIGM AND CEO, THE LOPEZ COLLECTIVE

Michelle Lopez is a Principal Consultant at Paradigm and CEO of The Lopez Collective. She redefines performance coaching through her ARC Framework—driving Alignment, Resilience, and Collective Impact. Across both Paradigm and The Lopez Collective, Michelle blends strategy and execution to close the gap between leadership development and business transformation. Her work builds critical human skills using research-backed, field-tested methods, powered by dynamic feedback loops and AI-enhanced intelligence. She leverages The Lopez Collective-trained models to surface change readiness, cultural barriers, and execution gaps—ensuring executive growth directly supports strategic goals. A former employment attorney and C-suite executive at Paramount Global, Michelle brings legal rigor, operational insight, and a coaching lens that balances human connection (H2H) with business-to-executive (B2E) accountability. She holds a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Decoded & Undeterred: Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Corporate & Law Firm Culture

Decoded & Undeterred: Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Corporate & Law Firm Culture

CLEO BELMONTE

MANAGING VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF COUNSEL, GOVERNANCE & SECURITIES

CAPITAL ONE

Cleo Belmonte is the Managing Vice President, Chief Counsel – Governance & Securities at Capital One. She joined Capital One in 2015 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility since that time. Prior to Capital One, Cleo was the Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of EchoStar Corporation and Hughes Communications, Inc. where she led Corporate Law Group of the company’s legal department and was responsible for the oversight of securities, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, employment, and data privacy and security. Prior to EchoStar and Hughes, Cleo was an associate in the law firms of Squire Patton Boggs LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop LLP. In 2019, Cleo was named to the Lawyers of Color inaugural Nation’s Best List. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and Bachelor of Science degrees in Multinational Business Operations, Marketing, and Business Management from Florida State University.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Business “Unusual”: Disrupting the Norm to Create Sustainable Change Through Courageous Leadership

SATI HARUTYUNYAN PARTNER

JENNER & BLOCK LLP

Sati Harutyunyan is a litigator and trial attorney whose ability to create and implement strategy has helped her clients secure victories in high-stakes disputes in federal court, state court, the boards of contract appeals, and arbitration tribunals. She has been a core member of trial teams in antitrust, intellectual property licensing, federal defense contracting, real estate development, construction, and other complex matters. Sati’s mastery of the litigation process has led to successful results through motions to dismiss and demurrers, motions for summary judgment and adjudication, and terminating sanctions. She efficiently cuts through difficult legal issues to determine strategy, manage case teams, and present winning results to clients. Before joining Jenner & Block, Sati worked for the World Bank Group’s Office of Suspension and Debarment, where she consulted on procurement frameworks around the world. Her active pro bono practice focuses on immigration matters for clients escaping persecution and dangerous home country conditions.

MARC WALTERS

CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL MICROSOFT

Marc Walters is Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Microsoft’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) department. Marc leads a legal team supporting Microsoft’s product marketing, commercial licensing, and the Company’s central branding units. His team supports the launches of groundbreaking new products and services, including Copilot, Windows 11, Surface, Gaming, and the One Microsoft Cloud. The team drives innovation and technology that improves productivity for its consumers and commercial customers, and lands strategies that have driven growth for the company and its partners. Marc’s decade-long career at Microsoft includes supporting the Company’s consumer sales, commercial business at the cusp of its cloud and digital transformation initiatives, enterprise services, small and mid-market segments, and global partner organization. Prior to joining Microsoft, he held senior legal commercial roles at Oracle and Sun Microsystems. Marc received both his Juris Doctor degree and his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Business “Unusual”: Disrupting the Norm to Create Sustainable Change Through Courageous Leadership

KENYA

Business “Unusual”: Disrupting the Norm to Create Sustainable Change Through Courageous Leadership

PARRISH DIXON PARTNER

NELSON MULLINS

Kenya is a tenured litigator who concentrates her practice on matters of cybersecurity, information governance, eDiscovery, crisis management, and general litigation. She was formerly the Director of White House Information Governance for the Executive Office of the President and Assistant Director of the Division of Litigation Technology and Analysis at the Federal Trade Commission. Prior to serving in the federal government, Kenya was a firm litigator at Epstein Becker & Green and a healthcare and technology litigator at McDermott Will & Emery. Kenya’s litigation experience includes healthcare, government contracts/bid protests, oil spills, and incident response. She currently concentrates on the needs of Fortune 500 Companies, Publicly Traded Companies, and Technology Companies in Cybersecurity and Information Governance, Technology, Consumer Protection, and Litigation. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Norfolk State University, summa cum laude and her Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary School of Law.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Designing Your Career with Intention: Lessons from Apple Legal with Candace Martin

CANDACE MARTIN

DIRECTOR, PRIVACY LEGAL GROUP APPLE

Candace is a Director in the Privacy Legal group at Apple. With over 15 years of privacy experience, Candace currently leads a team of attorneys focused on Apple’s privacy legal efforts and initiatives. Candace’s work includes driving Apple’s privacy regulatory and product efforts in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, health, financial services, and children’s and online safety privacy. She regularly counsels Apple’s executives on key strategic initiatives and critical business decisions. At Apple, Candace is also one of the executive advisors for the Black@LGS affinity group. She is also active in a number of organizations outside of Apple and is currently a fellow with the American Leadership Forum- Silicon Valley. Before joining Apple, Candace worked at Hogan Lovells law firm in both the Privacy & Information Management and Health practice groups. Candace earned her BA with distinction from Duke University and her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.

TAMOKA BELLARD

SENIOR PRIVACY COUNSEL APPLE

Tamoka Bellard is Senior Privacy Counsel at Apple. In this role, she advises and supports privacy-related aspects for Apple’s health products. She works with business and engineering teams to design innovative privacy solutions. Tamoka joined Apple in 2021 from GlaxoSmithKline where she was Senior and Lead Counsel for Medical Affairs. Prior to GSK, Tamoka was a litigation associate at an AmLaw 100 firm. She is a subject matter expert in privacy, clinical trials, Medical Affairs, FDA, and contract drafting/negotiation. She has experience advising senior-level executives, sales, marketing, communications, and R&D teams across therapeutic areas in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Tamoka has been a registered pharmacist for over 20 years, and, prior to law school, worked in Medical Affairs and Research for a pharmaceutical company. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Southern University and her law degree, magna cum laude, from South Texas College of Law.

Designing Your Career with Intention: Lessons from Apple Legal with Candace Martin

FEATURED SPEAKERS

It’s Time: Career CrossroadsDeciding Whether to Stay or Move On

XENIA GAROFALO PARTNER, TAX PRACTICE GROUP EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND (US) LLP

Xenia Garofalo is a partner in the Tax Practice Group of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP and counsels clients on federal income taxation with a focus on providing tax and structuring advice. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Private Capital Group and was recognized in 2023 by The Legal 500 United States in the area of U.S. taxes: non-contentious. Beyond her professional leadership and advocacy for DEI efforts in the workplace, Xenia is passionate about community service. She serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors for Northern Virginia Family Service, a nonprofit dedicated to providing critical essentials for families. Xenia has been recognized as a “40 Under 40” attorney by the National Bar Association and was awarded “Philanthropist of the Year” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Washington, D.C. chapter. She earned her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from La Sierra University.

SONNI NOLAN PARTNER HUSCH BLACKWELL

Sonni Nolan is an Equity Partner in Husch Blackwell’s St. Louis office. She is a member of the firm’s Executive Board and Governance and Nomination Committee. Sonni is a former in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company with extensive nationwide litigation experience. Sonni focuses her practice on employment discrimination advice, as well as litigation. She regularly appears before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), state agencies, and state and federal courts across the United States. As Associate General Counsel for Express Scripts Inc., Sonni was responsible for providing nationwide labor and employment legal advice, as well as overseeing related litigation, class actions, union negotiations, and related disputes. Previously, she was responsible for all legal and HR employee relations at 26 plants for an international manufacturing company. Sonni has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America from 2017 to 2023. Sonni received her Juris Doctor from WashU Law in St. Louis.

It’s Time: Career CrossroadsDeciding Whether to Stay or Move On

It’s Time: Career CrossroadsDeciding Whether to Stay or Move On

LISA GILFORD PARTNER

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

Lisa Gilford is a leading complex civil litigator with a practice focused on class actions, multidistrict litigation, products liability matters, and large-scale commercial disputes. Lisa’s numerous accolades include being named by Los Angeles’ Daily Journal as one of its “Top 100 Lawyers” (2015-2020), “Top Women Lawyers” (2013-2019), and “Top Women Litigators” in California (2013-2018). The Los Angeles Business Journal named her to the “L.A. 500” (2019-2020) as one of the city’s “Most Influential Women Attorneys” (2018-2020) and among the “Most Influential Minority Lawyers” (2019). She was also recognized as the “Consumer Litigation Lawyer of 2018” by the Century City Bar Association and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America (20182021). Lisa earned an LLM from Georgetown University (1995); her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law (1993); and a Bachelor of Arts from Furman University (1990).

FEATURED SPEAKERS

ANH

B. LEE

PARTNER

MCDERMOTT WILL & SCHULTE LLP

Anh B. Lee is a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte LLP, focusing on corporate finance. She represents private equity sponsors, alternative and direct lenders, public companies, and privately held businesses. Her expertise includes leveraged buyouts, secured bond offerings, working capital financings, restructurings, recurring revenue financings, special situation transactions, and fund subscription facilities. Anh has closed transactions in diverse industries such as health care, software, retail, financial services, and industrials, ranging from lower middle-market deals to multibillion-dollar transactions. Crain’s Chicago Business named Anh one of the “Notable Women in Law 2022.” She is a Co-Partner in charge of the Chicago Transactions practice group and leads the firm’s Associates Committee. Anh also maintains a pro bono practice, assisting clients with U-visas, permanent residency, relief under the Violence Against Women Act, and name changes for transgender clients. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of California Berkeley School of Law and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

LUCY LOPEZ

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND CORPORATE SECRETARY

SPENCER STUART

Lucy Lopez is the Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Spencer Stuart, a position that also places her on the firm’s global executive team. With over 25 years of experience, she advises management and boards on international business and corporate law, encompassing governance, acquisitions, joint ventures, debt financing, risk management, litigation, and government investigations. Before joining Spencer Stuart, Lucy served as Deputy General Counsel and Head of Legal for the Americas at McKinsey & Company. Earlier in her career, she practiced as a corporate lawyer at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Lucy holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.S. from Fordham University, where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, she is an executive sponsor of Spencer Stuart’s employee resource group for women and a longtime member of the board of trustees for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City.

Success Redefined: Creating Your Own Definition & Pathway

ERICA IRVIN

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL AND INNOVATION LAW

LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.

Erica Irvin is Senior Vice President, Commercial and Innovation Law at Lowe’s Companies, charged with leading a team of attorneys and non-attorney professionals supporting commercial and innovation activities, including digital transformation and artificial intelligence implementation. With 25 years of experience as In-House Counsel at public, private, and start-up companies in various industries, Erica has overseen numerous corporate initiatives, led strategy for the legal support of the implementation of industry-shaping technological innovations, and led the wholesale transformation of legal and business operations. While leading through change and building corporate legal functions from the ground up, Erica has partnered with peers to scale the legal support of businesses to meet a variety of market demands. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and George Washington University Law School, Erica has a wealth of experience advising businesses in areas including but not limited to technology, intellectual property, marketing compliance, privacy, e-commerce, and digital products.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Your Own Definition & Pathway

TANYA SOUTHERLAND

VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR MANAGING COUNSEL FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH MASTERCARD

Tanya Southerland is Vice President, Senior Managing Counsel for Strategic Growth at Mastercard, where she serves as Lead Counsel and Strategic Business Advisor for the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the Mastercard Impact Fund, and the Corporate Sustainability and Community Impact teams, and Co-Counsel/Advisor for other strategic enterprise-wide legal matters. Tanya is passionate about the nexus between law, business, and social and environmental impact. This passion has driven her two-decade career as a lawyer, diplomat, and senior executive in both private and public sectors, internationally and domestically. Tanya is the Corporate Secretary of the Mastercard Impact Fund and a board member of the Legal Services of Hudson Valley and We Run Mount Vernon (a fitness nonprofit). She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT500), teaching with My Vinyasa Practice, and a certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

MONIQUE (NIKKI) BHARGAVA

PARTNER

REED SMITH LLP

Monique (“Nikki”) is a partner in the Advertising group at Reed Smith LLP and co-leads the firm’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) group within its Emerging Technologies practice. She advises major consumer brands, agencies, and tech companies at the intersection of advertising, privacy, and emerging technologies. Nikki counsels clients on AI governance, data use and protection, digital marketing, adtech, and martech, helping them navigate legal risks while driving innovation and consumer engagement. She is also a leader in data privacy compliance, offering strategic guidance on domestic and international laws, including GDPR, CCPA, and more. Nikki has extensive experience in advertising law, intellectual property, marketing partnerships, e-commerce, and brand protection. She is a frequent speaker and published author on AI and privacy topics, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law. Nikki also dedicates time to pro bono service and serves on the board of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Success Redefined: Creating Your Own Definition & Pathway

GWENDOLYN R. KEYES

PARTNER AND CO-CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE GROUP DLA PIPER

Gwendolyn R. Keyes currently co-chairs DLA Piper’s Environmental Practice Group after spending over 20 years in the public sector, serving as both an elected and appointed official at the local, state, and federal levels. She combines her trailblazing experiences as an elected District Attorney with her knowledge gained as a former USEPA Regional Administrator (Region 4 -Southeast Region) and former USEPA Chief of Staff to advise a wide variety of industry and nonprofit clients on all aspects of environmental policy, government relations, compliance planning, and incident response. Gwen has worked on matters involving every environmental statute and specializes in conducting special investigations, as well as defending private clients in government enforcement actions and civil litigation. She also advises clients on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and the impacts of climate change. Among her many awards, she has been recognized by Forbes on its inaugural list of Top 200 Lawyers.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Empowering Your Career Path by Valuing Yourself: A Masterclass in Self-Advocacy

BEVERLY JOHNSON

ICON AND FOUNDER, CHAIRWOMAN, AND CEO

BJE LLC

Beverly Johnson made history in August 1974 as the first Black model to grace the cover of Vogue magazine, forever changing beauty ideals in fashion. Her remarkable career, spanning over five decades, showcases her evolution from model to actress, author, activist, businesswoman, and icon. As Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of BJE LLC, Beverly aims to build a multi-billion-dollar global brand representing luxurious products in hair, beauty, fashion, and media for multicultural women. The New York Times recognized her as one of the “20th Century’s 100 Most Influential People in the Fashion Industry.” She appeared on over 500 magazine covers, transcending racial barriers. Beverly has authored two books, including True Beauty, and launched her reality show Beverly’s Full House on OWN. An active philanthropist, Beverly has championed AIDS awareness, advocated against sweatshops, and served as national spokesperson for uterine fibroid education. She also serves on the board of directors for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

JUDY A. SMITH FOUNDER &

CEO

SMITH & COMPANY

Judy A. Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith & Company, a strategic advisory firm considered to be one of the top crisis firms in the world, with offices in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York and London. For more than 25 years, Ms. Smith has counseled presidents and world leaders through global crises, advised Fortune 50 CEOs through complex challenges, and helped manage the reputations of some of the world’s highest-profile individuals. As a result of her wide ranging and ground-breaking career, Ms. Smith inspired the hit TV series, Scandal and served as Co- Executive Producer of the project. Ms. Smith’s advice and counsel have been valuable to corporate boardrooms. She currently serves on the boards of Ariel Investments, as well as Chair for The Intangibles, the transformation consultancy for the intangible world. She also recently served on the boards of Save the Children and Global Citizen.

Empowering Your Career Path by Valuing Yourself: A Masterclass in Self-Advocacy

Empowering Your Career Path by Valuing Yourself: A Masterclass in Self-Advocacy

MAKA HUTSON PARTNER

AKIN

Maka Hutson is a partner in Akin’s international trade practice and practice lead for the firm’s immigration practice. Maka’s practice involves white-collar criminal defense and related internal investigations, with a focus on immigration law. She has practiced immigration law for over 13 years and represents clients in DOJ and DHS visa fraud investigations, immigration-related internal investigations, and DOJ investigations of foreign national hiring practices. She also advises clients on employment visas, immigration compliance, visa issuance abroad, and legislative and regulatory immigration policy proposals. Maka is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). She has been recognized as an “Immigration Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal and as an immigration law Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Southern California and Texas. She received her B.A. with honors from Moscow State Linguistic University, M.A. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, and Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Fireside With 5x Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Attorney Sunny Hostin

SUNNY HOSTIN

LAWYER, JOURNALIST, 5X EMMY AWARD-WINNING CO-HOST OF ABC’S “THE VIEW” AND NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Sunny Hostin is a five-time Emmy Award winner and a two-time New York Times best-selling author, serving as a Co-Host of The View since 2016. Previously, she served as a Host and Legal Analyst at CNN and as a fill-in Co-Anchor for ABC News. Hostin’s literary works include the “Summer” trilogy, with Summer on Sag Harbor (2023) and Summer on the Bluffs (2021) becoming bestsellers, and Summer on Highland Beach. Her memoir, I Am These Truths (2020), details her journey from the Bronx to becoming a Federal Prosecutor and a successful journalist. Hostin is also the Founder and CEO of Sunny Hostin Productions, a media company focused on social justice issues and underrepresented groups. She has hosted and executive produced “Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin” for Investigation Discovery. A former Federal Prosecutor with the United States Justice Department, she received a Special Achievement Award for prosecuting child sexual predators. Sunny holds a Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School.

JULIETTE PRYOR

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND CORPORATE SECRETARY LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.

Juliette Pryor is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Lowe’s, where she leads the company’s legal, compliance, government affairs, corporate sustainability, enterprise risk management, and privacy functions, and advises the board of directors. Previously, she served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for The Albertsons Companies, as the General Counsel of Cox Enterprises, and as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of US Foods. Previously, she worked at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at e.spire Communications. She started her career as In-House Counsel at IBM Corporation and later served as Legal Adviser to the Vice Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Juliette earned a bachelor’s degree from Fisk University and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University, where she also received a master’s degree from the School of Foreign Service. Juliette also serves as Director of Genuine Parts Company.

Fireside With 5x Emmy Award-Winning Journalist and Attorney Sunny Hostin

RICKY DILLARD

GOSPEL MUSICIAN

Ricky Dillard, “The Choirmaster,” has revolutionized gospel music since 1990, ensuring the legacy of gospel choir music endures. As a six-time Grammy nominee and winner of 11 Stellar Awards, Ricky continues to break barriers with his energetic choir, New Generation Chorale, known as “New G.” Ricky has released 13 gospel albums, with “Choirmaster II” debuting at #1 on Top U.S. Gospel Albums and Top U.S. Christian/Gospel Albums. In 2022, he received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award. Dillard served as the Gospel Music Arranger for the film adaptation of “The Color Purple.” He has also been featured in movies like “A Christmas Prayer” and served as a music talent consultant on “Sister Act II.” Ricky and New G have appeared on multiple television shows, and Ricky’s influence has inspired artists like Kirk Franklin and Kanye West. He has shared the stage with Jennifer Hudson, Patti LaBelle, and other notable artists.

12 Leaders. One Hogan Lovells. Unstoppable together.

At Hogan Lovells, we move as one. Across practice areas, time zones, and backgrounds, we show up for each other—and for what matters. Our lawyers are powerful on their own, but together? They’re next-level.

Hogan Lovells is proud to sponsor the Corporate Counsel Women of Color 2025 Career Strategies Conference—where brilliance meets boldness.

Lillian S. Hardy Partner, Investigations, White Collar, and Fraud /Crisis Leadership Team Washington, D.C.

Jasmeet K. Ahuja Partner, Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment Philadelphia

Lily Chinn Partner, Intellectual Property, Media, and Technology San Francisco

Nadira Clarke Partner, Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment Washington, D.C.

Ashley Howlett Partner, Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment Washington, D.C.

Vassi Iliadis Partner, Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment Los Angeles

Megan Nishikawa Office Managing Partner, Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment San Francisco

Shelita M. Stewart Partner, Investigations, Compliance, Crisis Leadership, Media and Entertainment Washington, D.C.

Hilary Tompkins Partner, Environment Washington, D.C.

Natalie K. Edwards Counsel, Corporate & Finance

New York

Anna Kurian Shaw

Global Managing Partner for People Engagement, Intellectual Property Washington, D.C.

Rosevelie Márquez

Morales

Chief Inclusion Officer

New York

See how we’re helping our communities thrive at capitalone.com/about.

is proud to sponsor

CCWC’s 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference

We commend the organization’s commitment to promoting a more inclusive legal profession for all, including efforts that support and celebrate the full participation of underrepresented women whose talents and perspectives enrich the field.

Connect with the following Covington lawyers at the conference:

Ashley Joyner Chavous OF COUNSEL SPEAKER

Teresa Park OF COUNSEL

Catherine Dargan PARTNER

Mona Patel PARTNER

Priscilla Fasoro PARTNER

Neema Sahni PARTNER SPEAKER

Helen Hwang PARTNER

Janine Slade SPECIAL COUNSEL

Catharina Min PARTNER

Zhang PARTNER

OF COUNSEL

ASSOCIATE SPEAKER

Alicia

Judy Mok

Jenna Zhang

HSF Kramer is a proud sponsor of the Corporate Counsel Women of Color 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference.

We have long understood that our future as a top law firm depends on developing world-class lawyers with a wide range of perspectives, experiences and social identities. We therefore regard it as imperative that we create and maintain an environment where all members of our community contribute their unique talents and flourish.

Trailblazing Legal Leadership

As a law firm committed to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, we proudly support CCWC’s 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference. The following attorneys from our firm will be attending the conference and look forward to connecting with you.

Chalon Clark Partner, Governance Nominating Committee Commercial Litigation | Dallas, TX

Natalie Lashinsky Partner Mass Tort & Product Liability | The Link (Oakland, CA)

Singleton McAllister Of Counsel, Diversity Liaison Representative Public Policy, Regulatory & Government Affairs | Washington, DC

Christine Fabin Partner, Associate Review Committee Chair Labor & Employment | The Link (Kansas City, MO)

Jennifer Lee Office Managing Partner Mass Tort & Product Liability | Oakland, CA

Nikelle Meade Partner, Executive Board Member, Governance Nominating Committee and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Chair Real Estate Development & Construction | Austin, TX

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FIRM

Nida Ghaffar Office Managing Partner Real Estate Development & Construction | Chicago, IL

Brittany Lomax Partner Mass Tort & Product Liability | The Link (Washington, DC)

Nithya Nagarajan Partner, ERG Co-Chair International Trade & Transportation | Washington, DC

Denyse Jones Partner Commercial Litigation | The Link (St. Louis, MO)

Karen Luong Partner, Hiring Committee Mass Tort & Product Liability | The Link (Los Angeles, CA)

Sonni Nolan Partner, Executive Board Member and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Vice-Chair Labor & Employment | St. Louis, MO

Nida Ghaffar | Office Managing Partner 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606 | 312.662.4659 | nida.ghaffar@huschblackwell.com

Shape What’s Next

Jenner & Block shapes what’s next through experience, vision, and judgment. We lead with bold action, intent, and impact as we advocate for our clients in the matters shaping their business.

Belong As You Are

We’re pleased to be a part of CCWC’s 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference. At Latham & Watkins, you belong as you are. We are thrilled to bring that same spirit of inclusion, opportunity, and community to colleagues throughout the legal profession.

Break barriers. Stretch beyond.

lululemon is proud to support the 2025 Corporate Counsel Women of Color Conference.

We are committed to Inclusion Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA), and will continue in that commitment until equity isn’t a goal but the norm.

Belonging knows no limits

We believe in a world that’s fair, where humanity unites, prosperity is shared and opportunity is open to everyone, both inside and outside our walls.

Mastercard is proud to continue our support of Corporate Counsel Women of Color

Your passion inspires

Building tomorrow’s AI responsibly

Because accountability matters

SEARCH JOBS

To learn more about Milbank, please scan the QR code below.

Proud to support Corporate Counsel Women of Color’s 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference

At Nelson Mullins, we champion the strength of diverse viewpoints in propelling innovation and excellence in the legal field.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

MARY BISCOE-HALL, Partner Baltimore, MD

ERICA JAMES, Partner Tampa, FL

KENYA PARRISH DIXON, Partner Washington, D.C.

ANITA THOMAS, Partner Atlanta GA

JILLIAN WILLIS, Partner Washington, D.C.

TRACY KAMBOBE, Partner Dallas, TX

ALICIA RITCHIE, Partner Baltimore, MD

BRIDGET HARRIS, Senior Associate Dallas, TX

KIARA GRADNEY, Of Counsel Houston, TX

MAYA FOSTER, Associate Baltimore, MD

SHERIA CLARKE, Of Counsel Greenville, SC

Monique Bhargava Partner, Chicago mbhargava@reedsmith.com

Julia López Partner, Princeton jalopez@reedsmith.com

Mildred Segura Partner, Los Angeles msegura@reedsmith.com

Amber Finch Partner, Los Angeles afinch@reedsmith.com

Natsayi Mawere Partner, New York nmawere@reedsmith.com

Idara Udofia Partner, Chicago iudofia@reedsmith.com

Samantha Grant Partner, Los Angeles sgrant@reedsmith.com

Thuy Nguyen Partner, San Francisco tnguyen@reedsmith.com

Nneka Witter Counsel, New York nwitter@reedsmith.com

Cheryl Lagay Partner, Princeton clagay@reedsmith.com

Lizbeth Rodriguez-Johnson Counsel, Denver lrodriguez-johnson@reedsmith.com

One Firm, Many Voices

To learn more, visit us at sidley.com/inclusion

Melissa Colón-Bosolet Partner, New York Commercial Litigation and Disputes

Andrea Wang Lucan Partner, Los Angeles Energy and Infrastructure

Lisa M. Gilford Partner, Los Angeles Products Liability

Partner, Washington, D.C. White Collar Defense and Investigations

J. Simone Jones Partner, Chicago Litigation

Nilofer Umar Partner, Chicago Securities and Shareholder Litigation

Grace Jamgochian Partner, New York M&A and Private Equity

Doreen M. Rachal Partner, Boston White Collar Defense and Investigations

PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS: INSPIRING FUTURE LEGAL CAREERS

The Home Depot celebrates the Corporate Counsel Women of Color as it continues to promote meaningful connections and career advancement for lawyers in the legal profession. Our values align with CCWC and its more than 4,500 members who, like us, seek to build a more equitable future for everyone at every opportunity.

Exceptional Together

Lisa

Gueter

Claudia

Saminaz

Heidi H. Rowe

Prajakta A. Sonalker

Jenn M. Reddien

Nicole N. King

Joo Cha Webb

Belinda Martinez Vega

Leonela Vaccaro Padrón

At Visa, we know that progress begins when opportunity meets bold, brilliant leadership — just like yours.

COUNSEL WOMEN OF COLOR

21ST ANNUAL CAREER STRATEGIES CONFERENCE

Meet Our Women of Color Partners

Justina

Mei

Jessie

Vynessa

Alice

WilmerHale is a proud sponsor of the Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC)’s Career Strategies Conference. We applaud CCWC’s mission to create a more inclusive legal profession for all.

Welcome to Chicago!

Allstate is proud to support Corporate Counsel Women of Color and its mission that through networking, mentorship, and a vibrant community, we can unlock new opportunities.

American Express

IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE Corporate Counsel

Women of Color Career Strategies Conference

We are proud to sponsor the Corporate Counsel Women of Color 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference.

Meet our speakers:

Leslie C. Overton Partner and Chief Workplace Culture & Opportunity Officer

Monica Smith Counsel

Making a difference together.

At BMO, we take pride in our local communities. Through various sponsorships and community involvement, we are committed to helping.

BMO is proud to support the Corporate Counsel Women of Color conference.

We’re proud to be part of the 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference supporting

Corporate Counsel Women of Color

and its dedication to the success of in-house women attorneys of color and the advancement of inclusion in the global legal profession and workplace

We are proud to support CCWC and the 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference

Fostering community and empowerment is at the heart of Crowell & Moring’s mission and values.

*Please be on the lookout for these Boot Camp panelists.

Toni Michelle Jackson Washington, D.C.

Amna Arshad Washington, D.C.

Sima Namiri-Kalantari Los Angeles

Michelle Coleman Washington, D.C.

Lorraine Campos Washington, D.C.

Preetha Chakrabarti* New York

Meshach Rhoades Denver

Jennie VonCannon* Los Angeles

Chahira Solh Orange County

We are proud sponsors of the 2025 Corporate Counsel Women of Color Conference and look forward to joining clients, colleagues and friends live in Chicago.

Meet Our Attendees

Simone S. Hicks Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits

Arian M. June Litigation, White Collar & Regulatory Defense

Deborah Enix-Ross Litigation, International Disputes

Adrianna Finger Litigation, White Collar & Regulatory Defense

Samantha B. Singh Commercial Litigation

Empowered Together

FTI Consulting is proud to support the

Corporate Counsel Women of Color

21st Annual Career Strategies Conference

At FTI Consulting, we believe that a full representation of genders, cultural backgrounds, professional skills and work experiences brings unique perspectives and diverse expertise to our clients.

We are committed to investing in the talent and knowledge base of all women through the sponsorship of the Corporate Counsel Women of Color.

HSBC is proud to support the Corporate Counsel Women of Color 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference and create a more inclusive legal profession for all.

We are proud to sponsor

Corporate

Counsel Women of Color and we applaud its commitment to promoting diversity in the legal profession.

Kelly Hernández

Taylor Chambers

Maya James

Imara McMillan

Raisa Cramer

Britta Kajimura

Flora Morgan

Niharika Sachdeva

Amrutha Dorai

Charlotte Kamai

Candice Nguyen

Sarah Salomon

Sara Fitzpatrick

Christina Lee

Puja Parikh

Deeva Shah

At Keker, Van Nest & Peters we believe that people with varied life experiences, backgrounds and cultures spark innovation. They bring novel solutions to bear in solving our clients’ most difficult problems, in contributing to the success of our firm, and in reforming systemic injustices in our communities.

Anjali Srinivasan

Olivia Malone

Zainab Ramahi

Taylor Sutula

Drew Washington Yegina Whang

Neha Sabharwal

Jasmine Virk

Michelle Ybarra

Emily Hasselberg

McDonald ’s proudly congratulates and supports 2025 Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC)

The 21st Annu al C ar eer Str ategi es C o nf er enc e

At McDonald’s Corporation, we believe in the power of OUR Golden Rule: treating everyone with dignity, fairness, and respect, always. This belief, grounded in our values, is at the heart of everything we do. These values guide our commitment to putting people first and creating access to opportunity for everyone – whether it’s our customers, employees, Franchisees, or suppliers. We know that Inclusion is not just a value – it’s a key driver of our business success. As a company, we strive to be a trusted presence in the places we operate, growing together and building connections that help make everyone feel welcome, respected, and part of something bigger.

We

are proud to sponsor the

Corporate Counsel Women of Color 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference

Empowering visionaries to create change is a key priority at MoFo. We are committed to making a meaningful impact for our clients, communities, and society.

Meet Our Attendees

Val Dahiya is a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets and Broker-Dealer Compliance + Regulation Practice Groups, and co-head of its Securities + Derivatives Regulatory Solutions team. She advises financial services clients on complex compliance, regulatory, and transactional matters arising under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Institution Regulatory (FINRA) jurisdiction. Val will be speaking on the CCWC Conference panel “Securing the Corner Office: Proven Tips for Career Advancement,” on Wednesday, October 1 at 9:15 a.m.

Christin Hill is a partner in the firm’s Securities Litigation Group. She has extensive experience representing clients in securities class actions, derivative actions, and other complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts, as well as in government and internal investigations. Christin will be speaking on the CCWC Conference panel “Ethical Challenges in the Legal Profession: Maintaining Integrity in Complex Scenarios,” on Wednesday, October 1 at 3:30 p.m.

Tiffani B. Figueroa is a partner in the firm’s Complex Litigation + Advisement Practice Group. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on class action and commercial litigation. She has experience representing technology firms, financial institutions, and other clients in matters pending before federal courts, state courts, and arbitration tribunals, as well as experience driving strategy in international matters as coordinating counsel.

Purvi Patel is a partner in the firm’s Complex Litigation + Advisement and Privacy + Data Security Practice Groups. She defends consumer-oriented companies in complex litigation and class actions and advises on the application of laws and regulations related to cutting-edge technologies. Purvi represents clients against allegations of false advertising and is a recognized leader in class actions involving data breaches and the use of personally identifiable information. She has achieved notable victories for industry-leading companies, including defeating class certification in some of the most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions nationwide.

Morrison Foerster, One Firm, Inclusive to the Core.

Scan here to learn more about our diversity story or visit Careers @ MoFo to view lateral opportunities.

Novartis Proudly Supports the Corporate Counsel Women of Color Conference

At Novartis, we harness the innovation power of science to address some of society’s most challenging healthcare issues. Our researchers work to push the boundaries of science, broaden our understanding of diseases and develop novel products in areas of great unmet medical need. We are passionate about discovering new ways to extend and improve patients’ lives.

Novartis Diversity & Inclusion

Thank you to

CCWC

for empowering the leaders of our profession to continue reaching new heights and helping the next generation reach their full potential.

Ropes & Gray is Proud to Support Corporate Counsel Women of Color’s 21st Annual Career Strategies Conference.

MEET OUR ATTENDEES:

Ama Adams Partner

Litigation & Enforcement

Jennifer Cormier Partner

Employment, Exec Comp & Benefits

Gabrielle DiBernardi Partner

Private Equity

Regina Sam Penti Partner

Technology & IP Transactions

Renai Rodney Counsel Litigation & Enforcement

Nichole Lopez-Tackett Partner

Private Capital Transactions

Paulita Pike Partner Asset Management

We are proud to support the 21st Annual CCWC Career Strategies Conference.

At Squire Patton Boggs, we are committed and passionate about driving forward a culture of progress within our firm and within the communities where we practice. We champion open dialogue and collaboration and focus on our commitment to ensuring access for all.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

More Than 40 Office on Four Continents squirepattonboggs.com

Setting the standard

We proudly sponsor the 21st Annual Corporate Counsel Women of Color Career Strategies Conference. Our attorneys help clients optimize their opportunities and navigate challenges through practical, responsive, and cost-effective advice.

Krystal Durham, Partner Trial Practice & Criminal Defense kdurham@wc.com

Vidya Mirmira, Partner Employment & Commercial Litigation vmirmira@wc.com

Elaine Horn, Partner Employment Litigation & Counseling ehorn@wc.com

Liat Rome, Partner Commercial Litigation lrome@wc.com

Deneen Howell, Partner Transactions & Business Counseling dhowell@wc.com

Suzanne Salgado, Partner Commercial Litigation ssalgado@wc.com

Enu Mainigi, Partner Trials, Health Care, & Financial Services emainigi@wc.com

Neelum Wadhwani, Partner Products Liability, Torts, and Medicine nwadhwani@wc.com

WOMBLE WINS TOGETHER

Put simply, embracing our differences enhances our ability to deliver exceptional client service. By providing tailored legal solutions informed by a variety of industry perspectives and experience, we meet a wide range of client needs. Through our commitment to respect, integrity, and leadership in the legal community, we embed inclusivity into all aspects of our work, ensuring our services are both innovative and reflective of our clients’ values.

“Womble Bond Dickinson,” the “law firm” or the “firm” refers to the network of member firms of Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited, consisting of Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP. Each of Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP is a separate legal entity operating as an independent law firm. Womble Bond Dickinson (International) Limited does not practice law. Please see www.womblebonddickinson.com/us/legal-notices for further details. ©2025 Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP