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Minnesota Racial Equity Challenge: Our 2021 Certifications


Over 80 people from over 20 member organizations participated in the Minnesota Racial Equity Challenge, a six-month, in-depth course co-designed by TCDIP’s Professional Development Committee and Dr. SooJin Pate, the course facilitator. The Challenge offered a unique opportunity for participants to take a dive into the history and origins of racial inequalities that currently exist in our state and what we can do to eliminate racism. During the Challenge, participants explored readings, podcasts, and other materials and gathered twice a month for a guided discussion to process the readings and materials. You can check out the syllabus here.

Congratulations to the 47 participants below who earned our 2021 Minnesota Racial Equity Challenge Certification.


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Teri Anderson, Xcel Energy
Catherine Berg, Wells Fargo
Jen Bisenius, Wells Fargo
Carol Bouw, Xcel Energy
Ashley Brosius, Wells Fargo
Adam Brown, Cousineau, Waldhauser & Kieselbach
Erin Bryan, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Clayton Carlson, Maslon, LLP
Joseph Ceronsky, Maslon LLP
Neera Chatterjee, U.S. Bank
Megan Clinefelter, Wells Fargo
Tara Duginske, Xcel Energy
Sandra Epp Ryan, HSML, PC
Kayla Erlandsen, Wells Fargo
Jenny Fernholz, Cargill
Beth Forsythe, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Caitlin Gehlen, Lathrop GPM
Michael Gravink, Wells Fargo
Cheryl Hauch, Best Buy
Carrie Hefte, Wells Fargo & Company

Brian Ingalsbe, Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Lisa Jenks, Wells Fargo
Amanda Kannas, Wells Fargo


Amol Kavathekar, HSML, P.C.
Geoffrey Kozen, Robins Kaplan LLP
Suzette Kusnierek, Wells Fargo
Hannah Lutz, Lathrop GPM LLP
Sylvia Mankarious, Messerli Kramer
Michael Pacelli, Robins Kaplan
Jayna Paquin, Target Corporation
Dan Payne, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions
Mary Powers, Wells Fargo
Margaret Rausch, Patterson Thuente
David Robertson, Cargill
Erica Rosenbaum, Maslon LLP
Adriana Schneider, Xcel Energy
Ambrea Segner, Xcel Energy
Summra Shariff, TCDIP
Rebecca Sluss, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Sheilah Stewart, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Amy Swedberg, Maslon LLP
Amy Taber, Prime Therapeutics
Dawn Vail, Wells Fargo
Janice Vochoska, Bowman and Brooke LLP
Jillian Walker, Messerli Kramer PA
Derrick Weber, Messerli & Kramer P.A.
Bryan Wong, HSML P.C.



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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Leveraging Technology to Focus on Progress


Measuring the progress of diversity initiatives is difficult to manage given the exponential increase in data requests from clients, within organizations, and from external organizations. The legal industry lacks customizable reporting applications that work with a variety of standards that can free up resources to focus on strategic goals, not just report generating.   Ballard Spahr’s Client Value and Innovation team, in partnership with their Diversity and Inclusion team, have built an application track, monitor, and report on the progress of hiring and retaining attorneys from diverse backgrounds.  Melissa Prince and Jim Boyer will share the background behind the development of their application, demonstrate how it is being utilized and the direction it is heading, and give a sneak peak of the enhancements planned for the future. Use this link or the button below to register!



The Legal System’s Role in Education Policy

The  Wanton Injustice Legal Detail (WILD) and Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) invite you to join us in a deep dive into the landmark Skeen v. State case and its long-standing implications for public education in Minnesota. WILD is an affiliate non-profit of TCDIP focused on eliminating anti-Black racism and all forms of racism in Minnesota. We will talk with Page (now retired) and former Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, who argued for an intervenor school district in the Skeen case, about their reflections nearly three decades later and how we can use the law and a constitutional amendment to help move Minnesota’s public school system forward. Use this link or the button below to register!


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Upcoming Webinars


Minnesota Coalition of Bar Associations of Color: Twin Cities Legal D&I Data Project

The Minnesota Coalition of Bar Associations of Color invites you to their second annual Twin Cities Legal D&I Data Project Reveal on Tuesday, October 5 from 12:00 – 1:30 PM. CBAC will share and discuss the results of their study of the representation of women and racial/ethnic group members in large law firms and corporate law departments in Minnesota. The event will be fully virtual. RSVP today!


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September 22: What Every Lawyer Should Know about the Future of Transgender Student Rights

Over the past year, courts have extended the protections of state and federal law to transgender students. In light of these recent developments, this CLE will address what lawyers should know about the legal landscape concerning transgender student rights, how states, school boards, and individual school administrators are applying and enforcing these laws, and how these developments will affect a wide variety of industries and practice areas.

Register today!


TCDIP is a professional association of legal employers with the vision to create a vibrant and inclusive legal community. Our mission is to strengthen the efforts of Member Organizations to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color.

TCDIP facilitates connections between community organizations and volunteer lawyers. As with any volunteer opportunities circulated by TCDIP, please consult with your organization’s policies on pro bono and volunteer work prior to participation as needed.



Contact Info:

Twin Cities Diversity in Practice

80 S 8th Street, #2200, Minneapolis MN, 55402

612-440-3346

info@diversityinpractice.org