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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Corporate boards are better served when their membership reflects the diversity of their employees, clients and customers.
With that in mind, Womble Carlyle attorneys Cathy Hinger, Lela Ames, Rebecca Jacobs and Heather Pruger recently attended an inspirational Leadership Foundry and Women in Technology (WIT) panel discussion focused on pathways for success for women aspiring to sit on for profit corporate boards.
The panel featured seasoned board members:
- ESPY Energy Solutions Founding Partner Nora M. Brownell;
- The Honorable Cari M. Dominguez, former Chair of the EEOC and Principal, Dominguez & Dominguez & Associates;
- U.S. Holocaust Museum CFO Polly Povejsil Heath; and
- George Washington University School of Business Dean Dr. Linda Livingstone, Ph.D.
Entrepreneur and Washington First Bankshares, Inc. Board Member Caren Merrick moderated the discussion.
The mentoring panel shared stories about finding their first board positions; their experiences serving on the board; and successes achieved by companies with gender diversity on their boards.
The event took place April 5 in Washington, D.C.
Cathy Hinger is a veteran trial lawyer who defends companies that face complex business disputes with other businesses or the government. Hinger chairs Women of Womble and is an active member of WIT.
Lela Ames advises clients and litigates cases in a wide variety of matters involving commercial real estate, contracts, business fraud, manufacturing, products liability, and franchise disputes. Ames also defends banks and servicers in consumer financial litigation involving federal and state statutory claims, mortgage and foreclosure issues, and title disputes.
Rebecca Jacobs has a comprehensive communications law practice, guiding clients in media law, Internet, telecom, cable and privacy/data protection matters. She counsels communications industry clients in negotiating contracts and complex business transactions, as well as helping them resolve disputes and regulatory challenges
Heather Pruger handles a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions and M&A, including technology transactions and licensing matters, private equity and venture capital financings, as well as general business/corporate matters. Her clients range from emerging companies to middle market businesses and include technology, cybersecurity and IT companies, government contractors, and professional services companies.
