The Death of Affirmative Action and its Impacts on DEI: 3 Months In

Overview

This year, the DEI sector has seen significant cuts through layoffs, abandonment of commitments to redress systemic discrimination, and increasing legal, political, and judicial scrutiny. This past summer, the overturning of affirmative action led many to think that DEI was on its way out.

But decades of well-established evidence continues to demonstrate that companies with stronger diversity are more profitable than their competitors. Our panel of experts in DEI and employment law will review the implications of these changes and discuss how companies can maintain DEI momentum in this shifting landscape.

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 Speakers

Victoria "Vicki" A. Lipnic currently serves as Partner and Head of the Human Capital Strategy Group at Resolution Economics. An accomplished lawyer and senior executive, Vicki brings a rich history of leadership from her roles in significant federal government positions, including Acting Chair (2017-2019) and Commissioner at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 2010-2020. She is recognized for her expertise in human capital management, employment law, DE&I, and leading public policy initiatives. Vicki's dedication to civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and her reputation for bipartisanship stand out. Her educational background includes a JD from George Mason University - Antonin Scalia Law School and a BA in Political Science and History from Allegheny College.

Marjorie Mesidor is a dynamic Partner at Wigdor LLP, celebrated for her expertise in handling sexual harassment and employment discrimination cases. With almost two decades of litigation experience, Marjorie has secured over $63 million in employment discrimination claims and settlements, benefiting a wide array of clients from C-Suite executives to government professionals. In addition to her attorney role, Marjorie serves as an esteemed Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, guiding both employment and consumer law cases to resolution. Previously, she showcased her leadership prowess as Managing Partner at Phillips & Associates. A Juris Doctorate graduate from Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Marjorie also holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Franklin University Switzerland. Fluent in French, Haitian Creole, and Italian, she's an ardent advocate for justice, echoing her values in the #metoo movement and broader legal realms.

Ripa Rashid is a Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at TD Securities. Ms. Rashid is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies. Prior to joining TD Securities, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner.

Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD.

Diana File is the dynamic CEO and Founder of DF Analytics & Consulting, a trailblazer in the application of data-driven strategies to foster organizational change. In her quest for impactful solutions, Diana once ventured to the Middle East as a military data scientist, aspiring to be an agent of peace. Now, with her team at DF Analytics, she empowers leaders with actionable, data-centric methods, enhancing inclusivity and productivity. Diana's influence spans clients like Nasdaq OMX, CDC, and LVMH. She’s developed DEI metrics for numerous programs, overseen expansive DEI culture assessments, and orchestrated swift organizational shifts, such as a global cloud migration completed in just 10 months. Boasting an M.A. in Psychology from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a B.A. from Yale University, Diana combines analytical prowess with psychological insight, making her an invaluable asset in any conversation on DEI, culture, and M&A.

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