Inclusivity Included: Powerful personal stories

LGBTQ+ communities: A global and intersectional perspective

Omar J. Alaniz, Reed Smith’s Dallas office managing partner and the U.S. deputy for PRISM, joins senior global DEI advisor, Iveliz Crespo (Philadelphia) and associate and PRISM EME co-chair, Tom Gates (London), to discuss LGBTQ+ History Month, the needs of LGBTQ+ communities globally, and how his lived experience as a Latinx gay man shapes his intersectional approach to his career and his advocacy work.

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Fostering inclusion for persons with invisible disabilities

Invisible disabilities can affect a person’s efforts to work, go to school, socialize, and more. Although invisible disabilities create challenges for those who have them, it can be difficult for organizations and others to recognize or acknowledge the reality of the disability.

In this episode, Reed Smith partner Luke Debevec, who practices law with epilepsy, joins John Iino as co-host. Their special guest is Catherine Ames, a student at USC living with chronic illness and disability. Catherine has made it her mission to help other students and young people similar to her to feel less alone. She does this through “Chronically Catherine,” her column in the USC newspaper, the Daily Trojan, and as a USC Fellow conducting original research on the history of disability discrimination.

Luke and Catherine share their personal stories and the challenges they face with their disabilities and provide advice on how organizations and others can better support persons with invisible disabilities.

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Louise Worrall: Resilience, discipline, and adaptability

Louise Worrall, financial advisor and former lieutenant in the British Royal Navy, joins Reed Smith’s senior global DEI advisor, Iveliz Crespo and trainee solicitor Voirrey Blount to discuss how her military experience and diagnosis of a rare connective tissue disorder helped shape her outlook and approach to her life and career in finance.

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Paving the way: Creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable professional industries

Professor Miranda Brawn, founder of The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation (TMBDLF), senior visiting fellow at Oxford University, and board member for multi-sector global boards, joins Reed Smith’s Senior Global DEI Advisor Iveliz Crespo and Entertainment and Media Industry Group Associate and LEADRS committee member Jonathan Andrews to discuss the catalyst for creating TMBDLF and her extensive work in championing diversity, equity and inclusion across multiple industries.

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Inspiring leaders: Julia López

Continuing our Inspiring Leaders series, in this episode we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring Julia López, the partner chair of UNIDOS, Reed Smith’s Hispanic/LatinX business inclusion group. Julia is the national finance director for the Hispanic National Bar Association and past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.  She shares her sources of inspiration that drive her success and ability to overcome challenges.  Julia provides valuable advice to our listeners on inclusive leadership and the importance of fairness and justice.

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Inspiring leaders: Jason Hazlewood

Continuing our Inspiring Leaders series, this episode features Pittsburgh Office Managing Partner Jason Hazlewood. Jason shares his journey to leadership at the firm, from associate to office managing partner and membership on the Executive Committee. He describes his four core themes for leadership, including an emphasis on equity of opportunity for all lawyers and personnel; elevation of the firm’s position in the local community; promotion of positive corporate citizenship and unity in the region; and the enhancement of the office’s culture and communications. He also shares how he stays grounded and maintains a positive outlook on life.

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Inspiring leaders: Gautam Bhattacharyya

Continuing our “Inspiring Leaders” series, we feature Gautam Bhattacharyya, a member of Reed Smith’s executive committee, chair of the firm’s India business team, and former managing partner of the Singapore office. Gautam joins co-hosts Iveliz Crespo and John Iino to discuss his experiences and his personal journey to leadership, especially as a person of color in the UK and as someone who works across cultures. He will also share some of his own mistakes along the way and alert future leaders to the pitfalls they should avoid as they climb the ladder of success.

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Inspiring leaders: Colette Honorable

Colette Honorable, former FERC commissioner, a partner in Reed Smith’s Washington, D.C. office, and a member of Reed Smith’s executive committee – just to name a few of her leadership positions – joins co-hosts Iveliz Crespo and John Iino to talk about what it was like getting “the call” from President Obama to join the FERC. She also will share how she has navigated various challenges, such as being the only woman in the room, and she will give advice to younger women of color on reaching the highest levels of leadership.

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Rebecca Berger: Leading with curiosity

In this episode, Rebecca Berger, law firm partner, TV host, and family law and domestic violence advocate, joins John Iino and Iveliz Crespo to share her journey to becoming an attorney. She discusses her experiences as a first-generation lawyer, and the importance of being curious, seeking out new information, asking questions, and looking beyond first impressions. Rebecca also shares how she uses her popular weekly program, Justice for All, to highlight the stories of other legal professionals and thought leaders.

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Autism acceptance and benefits of neurodiversity

Courtney A. Munnings, certified life coach, speaker, commercial litigator and neurodiversity advocate, discusses her recent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, the challenges she faced before diagnosis, and the benefits of autism and neurodiversity in the workplace. Joined by co-hosts Iveliz Crespo and John Iino, Courtney dispels myths and stereotypes that block true neurodiversity, and provides strategies to leaders creating truly diverse and inclusive organizations.

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