This podcast, "Inspiring Conversations," was created by the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of Baker McKenzie Venezuela based on the global initiative of promoting the values that are part of our DNA, diversity and inclusion. Baker McKenzie is a global law firm with presence in more than 80 countries, which makes us an institution with an immense cultural wealth. This podcast was created with the objective of having a fun and entertaining conversation with our people, staff, lawyers, clients, friends and experts about this exciting topic, and to meet and inspire women, men, and non-binary people to tell their stories and be examples for others.
This podcast series episodes are also available in Spanish only at Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iTunes
Episode 11: Fashion as a Tool for Inclusion
As part of the commemorations of the International Day of Afro-descendant Women and the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, celebrated in Venezuela in July and August respectively, we had the opportunity to talk to Colombian fashion designer Juan Pablo Socarrás. We talked about his project "Historias Hechas a Mano" (Handmade Stories), in which he works hand in hand with the artisan population and vulnerable communities. Juan Pablo also talked to us about his life purpose and inspired us to find our own. We know you will love this episode and we hope it moves you as much as it moved us.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 10: Breaking Down Prejudices: Robinson Colls
To close the LGBT+ Pride month and our mini-series called "Breaking Down Prejudices", we had the opportunity to talk with Robinson Colls, a Venezuelan who emigrated to Santiago de Chile. Robinson is a Telecommunications Engineer and is part of our global team in the position of Global Voice Engineer.
In this episode he told us a bit about his experience as a member of the LGBT+ community, about the existing prejudices against the community, the differences he has perceived in the work environment and his perception about the existing challenges for organizations to create a better work environment for the community. We invite you to listen to this very enriching episode!
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 9: Breaking Down Prejudices: Julián Ruiz
For this new episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Julián Ruiz, intellectual property lawyer at Baker McKenzie Colombia and president of the Colombian Copyright Center, CECOLDA, which is the association of copyright lawyers in his country.
This episode was a little different, but one of the most inspiring we have had. In this episode, we heard many personal anecdotes about his process of acceptance as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, his work experience and the importance of the different business initiatives in favor of the LGBTIQ+ community.
We invite you all to listen to this episode and send it to your families and friends so they can be educated and inspired as well! We hope you enjoy it.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 8: Breaking Down Prejudices: Juan David Castaño
Continuing our "Breaking down prejudices" series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Juan David Castaño, a practicing attorney and associate in Baker McKenzie's Bogotá office. As a passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion issues and a member of the LGBTI+ community, he talked to us about his experience, the approach that employers are giving to their companies on diversity and inclusion issues, and the harassment that members of this community often suffer. We invite you to listen this enriching episode that we made with a lot of dedication for you!
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 7: Breaking Down Prejudices: Pablo Viggiola
In honor of Pride Month, we start our new series of the Caracas Diversity and Inclusion Committee Podcast called "Breaking Down Prejudices." For this first episode, we had the great pleasure of talking with Pablo Viggiola, leader for Europe and Africa for the implementation project of the Baker McKenzie's Human Resources Management Software. In this space, Pablo told us about his experience as a member of the LGBT+ community, the challenges he faced in the professional and personal environment, the existing prejudices in relation to inclusion and gender equality and also told us about personal experiences that we are sure many of you will identify with.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 6: The Success of Being a Woman: Emilia Giusti
To culminate our first mini-series called "The success of being a woman," we had the pleasure of talking to Emilia Giusti, Executive Vice President of Alimentos Mary.
In this opportunity, we were able to learn a little bit about her path to success, the different challenges she went through and catch some advice she shared with us. This inspiring conversation was the perfect way to end our first mini-series of the podcast. We invite you to listen to this enriching episode, as we know you will love it.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 5: The Success of Being a Woman: Elisa Vegas
For our fifth episode of the podcast, and as part of our mini-series, "The success of being a woman," we had the pleasure of talking to Elisa Vegas, director of the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" Orchestra in Venezuela. In this episode we talked about how she has achieved her success and all the factors that this implied, the obstacles she faced on her way to success, and being a woman in the world of music. Elisa shared with us some lessons learned and advice for women who listen to us.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 4: The Success of Being a Woman: Sasha Mirpuri
As part of our mini-series, "The success of being a woman," we invited Sasha Mirpuri, Baker McKenzie's communications leader for Latin America. In this enriching encounter, we talked about the impact that Diversity and Inclusion has had on her life and the different inspiring initiatives that Baker McKenzie has developed in this area. Stay to listen to this episode that we are sure will be an inspiration and example for many women around the world.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 3: The Success of Being a Woman: Carolina Pardo
In commemoration of Women's Month, we launched a mini-series within our Podcast called "The success of being a woman", a space where we will talk to different successful women in the hope of inspiring all the women who listen to us. In this third episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Carolina Pardo, a partner at Baker McKenzie in the Bogotá office. Carolina is a very successful woman in the legal field and we are confident that her experience, advice and comments will inspire everyone who listens to us. We had the opportunity to hear her point of view of success, the different biases that exist, gender equity in our firm and her personal experience. We hope you enjoy it.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 2: Inclusion in the Workspace
Due to the alliance between Procter & Gamble and Baker McKenzie on Diversity and Inclusion matters, we decided to invite our friend Federico Guzman, Human Resources Manager at Procter & Gamble Venezuela. In this second episode, Federico talked to us about his work experience and the challenges he has faced being part of the LGBT+ community. It is a privilege for us to be able to listen to the story of one of our allies and colleagues. We hope this story can be an example for many and inspire others to support Diversity and Inclusion around the world.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.
Episode 1: Achieving a Balance
In this first episode, we had the pleasure to talk to Marianella Medina, an amazing woman that started as our client and is now a member of our Baker McKenzie team. In commemoration of Mother´s Day, she agreed to share her story of how she was able to fight and overcome obstacles and how she managed to balance her personal and professional life. We hope this story can be an inspiration to many.
*Podcast available in Spanish only.