LONDON – Ed Estrada, partner and global chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group and Elizabeth Perez, legal project manager on Reed Smith’s Client Value Team, have been named to the 2020 EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists, the firm announced today. Estrada was included in the EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Executives list and Perez in the EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders list.
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The lists, a product of INvolve, a global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business, showcases business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and working hard to smash the ceiling for ethnic minorities in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and people of color in the United States and Canada.

For the EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Executives, criteria included ethnicity, seniority, influence, and whether the nominee actively works to create an environment where ethnic minority employees can comfortably bring their best professional selves to work.

EMpower 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders are high performing and high potential individuals, but can be at various levels in their careers. A stronger emphasis was placed on their work towards ethnic minority inclusion rather than their seniority in the business.

“Ed and Liz are a testament that diverse leadership is evident throughout our firm, irrespective of title or role. We are very grateful to call them colleagues and role models, and champions for ethnic minorities in the workplace,” said John Iino, global chair, Diversity & Inclusion.