The Gordon & Rees Women’s Initiative hosted a firmwide virtual event for female attorneys and staff invested in the advancement of women within the legal field on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
The event featured Kim Yapchai, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Chief Counsel of Tenneco. Ms. Yapchai is an experienced global leader with a substantial track record of successfully managing complex legal issues in multi-national, public companies, including Ford, Whirlpool, Masco Corporation, and Tenneco.
Ms. Yapchai provided tips for effective communication including the importance of listening and asking questions to build trust and a dynamic team. The discussion focused on tactical ways women can build a collaborative network of resources and community, dispel implicit bias, and expand opportunities for success and growth for one another. She engaged in substantive dialogue with Gordon & Rees Chicago partner and co-chair of the firm’s South Asian Affinity Group, Avanti Bakane, around the qualities of empathy, and initiative.
The Women's Initiative at Gordon & Rees is committed to providing leadership, inspiration, and opportunity for women. The Women's Initiative is led by Debra Ellwood Meppen. She is also a co-chair of the firm's Leadership Equality and Diversity Program which was developed to achieve the firm’s objectives in areas of diversity and inclusion.