NIRVANA DOVE
Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Thompson Hine LLP
2020 Educational Conference Committee
Nirvana Dove is one of three dedicated WALRAA members that have generously volunteered to lead the planning and organization of this year's Educational Conference. The Educational Conference is WALRAA’s largest and most well attended event, and requires a LOT of behind-the-scenes coordination from its committee members. As our February Spotlight member, we take a closer look at what motivates her and how she keeps her balance. Show your support in the comments below!
1. How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I have been a member of WALRAA since 2015. I think my favorite experience has been serving as co-chair of the Diversity Committee and working closely with a fellow WALRAA member to plan the committee's annual program. This opportunity was a great way to dive deeply into a topic that was important to both of us and allowed us to get to know one another.
2. How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
WALRAA has been a great resource for connecting with people who have been able to provide advice and share information. Through these invaluable connections, I learned more about diversity, equity and inclusion work and, ultimately, decided to focus my career in this field.
3. How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
After I left legal practice, I spent some time working to identify my passions and the type of work that is fulfilling to me. When I started at Georgetown, I knew that I was interested in DE&I work and I knew I was interested in serving as the type of adviser that I wished I'd had in law school. With that, however, I wasn't really clear on the possibilities for making a career out of this work. Over time, my role at Georgetown became increasingly more focused on DE&I and I honed my interests and focus.
4. What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
My favorite moments are when either a student or attorney that I've worked with has come back to me to share their achievements. These moments are fulfilling and affirm that I'm accomplishing my goal.
5. What is it that challenges you most in your job?
The biggest challenges in my job is that there isn't a clear roadmap to guide me and the fact that the changes in our profession that I am working to make will happen slowly and over time.
6. How do you balance career and personal life?
The support of professional champions/sponsors and ability to work flexibly are critical to my ability to have work-life autonomy to balance my career, family and other responsibilities. At each stage of my career, I carefully review how a particular role will work in connection with the rest of life and I am very transparent about my equal dedication to work and to family. That said, there is never a perfect balance!
7. What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
This year, I am looking forward to successfully implementing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Action Plan that my team developed for our firm in 2019 and continuing to hone my expertise in DE&I best practices and innovative concepts.
8. What is the best professional advice you have received?
The best professional advice that I have ever received is to engage in work that you love and are passionate about. I'm grateful to be able to do this work.
9. What do you like to do for fun?
I love to hang out with my kids and my husband, to travel and sleep is also pretty high up there on the list.
10. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I nearly pursued a career as a professional ballerina before I went to law school. Quite the different path!
