MIAMI – Oct. 6, 2023 – Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. gathered more than 125 women leaders and attorneys during the firm’s 2023 Women’s Business Forum for a day of empowering discussions on key issues impacting women in business and the many contributions of working women. With a theme of “Lift Women. Lift Humanity,” the Sept. 29 event at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort also featured an interactive session with Girls Inc. that focused on encouraging elementary school girls to strive for success.
Caroline O’Connor, president of business operations for the Miami Marlins, was recognized with the Diana P. Scott Integrity in Action Award, dedicated in memory of former Greenberg Traurig Shareholder Diana P. Scott, an early leader in the firm’s Women’s Initiative. After the award was presented by Nikki Lewis Simon, senior vice president and Greenberg Traurig’s chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion officer, O’Connor sat down for a fireside chat with McClatchy Vice President Monica Richardson to discuss her career and community impact.
“The door was open for us, and we want to make sure the door stays open for other women,” “We really look at our role as an opportunity to inspire others and tell our story."
The program also included a mentoring opportunity for girls from underserved communities. During an interactive workshop with Girls, Inc. of Greater Miami, about 50 elementary school-aged girls joined the attendees to decorate puzzle pieces about notable women in history. Led by Virginia Akar, founding CEO of Girls Inc. of Greater Miami, the activity included table discussions focused on overcoming challenges and the impacts that these notable women had on society.
“The point of the exercise is to show the girls that while we are often faced with struggles as women, it is important to stick with our goals and complete what we set out to do. By sharing stories from our own life journey, we hope the girls learned first-hand how much can be achieved,” said Brigid F. Cech Samole, co-chair of the firm’s Global Women’s Initiative, chair of the Miami Appeals & Legal Issues Group, and co-chair of the Miami Litigation Practice.
At the end of the workshop, one of the participants from Girls, Inc. wrote a note calling the event “one of the best days of [her] life.” Others took away insight on the importance of staying focused and not backing down. One fifth grader summed it up, “It’s hard to get where you want to be, but if you push through it and work hard, you can get where you want to be, even if it’s not where you are right now.”
Panelists on the session titled “Driving Change Through Conscious Business, Pro Bono Work, and Other Charitable Endeavors,” discussed the role women play in volunteering and driving change. Moderated by Tracy L. Gerber, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s West Palm Beach office and co-chair of the firm’s Broker-Dealer Securities Litigation Practice, panelists encouraged the audience to continue to step up, particularly when it comes to helping women and children in underserved communities.
“You all have an opportunity to make a difference,” said Constance Collins, president of the Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc. “You have a chance to actually help organizations achieve financial strength.”
The event’s final panel, “Valuing Unrecognized Work and the Value of Working Women,” discussed important issues in respect to uncompensated work often done by women in the workplace, including mentorship and internal committee service related to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“These issues have been there from the beginning of time. There are a lot of issues we’re facing that our mothers faced in different ways. It’s up to us to own it – what are we going to do about it, and how are we going to be the drivers of the change we want to see,” emphasized Marlene Gordon, senior vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary of Panera Brands and Panera Bread.
The panelists urged attendees to focus on building their network, volunteering for activities that provide opportunities for personal growth, and speaking up about the work they are doing.
“You have to make a point to self-promote. Nobody is going to do it for you,” said Siobhan McCleary, managing director and senior member of the Ventures & Acquisitions legal team at Accenture.
To conclude the event, attendees networked, shared what they learned, and discussed personal highlights from the day.
“We may not necessarily have found the solutions to addressing the challenges that we face as women, but hopefully these conversations will help get us there,” said Co-Chair of the Women’s Initiative and a Shareholder in the firm's Los Angeles Litigation Practice Lisa C. McCurdy during the closing remarks alongside Cech Samole, Danielle L. Martin, and Courtney E. McGuinn, co-chairs of Greenberg Traurig’s Women’s Initiative.
Other speakers and panelists at the 2023 event included:
- Irma Becerra, president, Marymount University
- Vickie Chachere, executive editor, Florida Trend
- Meg Daly, founder and president, Friends of The Underline
- Bettina Deynes, global chief human resources officer, Carnival Corporation
- Symeria Hudson, president and CEO, United Way Miami
- Daniella Silberstein, shareholder; co-chair, Women’s Initiative, Greenberg Traurig
- Eva M. Spahn, shareholder; co-chair, Miami Women’s Initiative, Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig’s Women’s Initiative launched the Women’s Business Forum in 2007 to foster relationships between professional women, providing them an opportunity to share ideas, develop new skills, and meet mentors and business contacts. The 2025 Greenberg Traurig Women’s Business Forum is scheduled to take place in New York.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firm’s efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Plus, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/general/our-firm/diversity Twitter: @GT_Drives.
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 47 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI “Highly Recommended Law Firm” for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 500. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e® Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: www.gtlaw.com.