Michele Garcia guided the conversation with special guest speaker Vanessa Penaranda, Vice President of Legal Corporate Affairs, delving more deeply into the meaning of DIB and how we as a company can amplify the pieces of the initiatives already a part of our culture.
She notes that 10 years ago, diversity, inclusion, and belonging were never a part of the dialog within companies. Today, more companies understand the value of creating thoughtful, comprehensive programs to ensure that DIB becomes a natural part of their ethos.
Vanessa also shared how she as a Latino woman navigated the challenges on her journey to become Areas’ legal expert. From a very young age, Vanessa knew she wanted to become a lawyer and exhibited a strong interest in that direction. She was always an avid reader and offered a Christmas wish list unlike most others. At the top of hers were the Encyclopedia Britannica and a typewriter. Fitting for a person who “…could not imagine a better choice than to dive into the history and complexities of the law with problem-solving and competition in the mix..”
Vanessa is a first-generation born American whose parents encouraged taking advantage of all educational opportunities available. Today she proudly represents 2% of Latino lawyers in the US.
Learn more about the status of DIB at Areas and how we can make a conscious effort to expand our initiatives.
Lessons In Leadership-Module 3 Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging