Lea Gutierrez, JD
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at American Lung Association- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Admitted to Illinois Bar
-Nov, 2005- Nov, 2024 -
Admitted to Maryland Bar (inactive since 2016)
-Nov, 2001- Nov, 2024
Experience
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American Lung Association
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Non-profit Organization Management
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500 - 600 Employee
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Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
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Feb 2022 - Present
• Develop, direct, and evaluate the impact of strategies and practices related to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion across the Association; ensure alignment with mission, vision, and business strategy. • Serve on the Executive Leadership Team and lead the DEI Council. • Work as advisor to the President and CEO on DEI issues and opportunities • Identify DEI learning needs and lead educational efforts across the Association. • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that allow the Association to measure progress against DEI strategies and goals to determine process improvements. • Partner collaboratively with other chiefs to identify opportunities to establish candidate-centered recruitment and development programs that enable bias-free hiring and development of diverse talent and volunteer board members. • Assess policies, practices, and procedures and set goals to align with DEI best practices. Show less
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Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
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United States
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Law Enforcement
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100 - 200 Employee
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Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
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Mar 2021 - Mar 2022
• Developed and implemented proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed to optimize organizational culture and align the organization’s DEI goals with organizational outcomes. • Oversaw Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). • Designed one-year DEI learning & development strategy and instructed all-staff DEI continuing legal education courses. • Developed and implemented proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives designed to optimize organizational culture and align the organization’s DEI goals with organizational outcomes. • Oversaw Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). • Designed one-year DEI learning & development strategy and instructed all-staff DEI continuing legal education courses.
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ARDC: Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois
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United States
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Legal Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Litigation Group Manager
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Jan 2020 - Mar 2021
• Managed a team regulating all Illinois attorneys regarding professional conduct. Responsibilities included: project management, process improvements, investigations, depositions, writing, litigation, public speaking, educational training, and team supervision.• Coached and mentored legal and support team moving the team into remote positions. Maintained high levels of team engagement and productivity. • Taught classes to attorneys on legal ethics, diversity & inclusion, decision making and bias.• Provided guidance to attorneys on Rules of Professional Conduct. Show less
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Director of Diversity & Inclusion
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Jul 2015 - Mar 2021
• Lead the Diversity and Inclusion efforts to develop all employees and make them to feel respected and valued. Responsibilities include: strategy, project management, process system improvements, employees relations, educational training, employee engagement, surveys, and public speaking.• Founded and pioneered structured, strategic, and focused Diversity and Inclusion program.• Developed an internal committee to determine the mission and vision of the Diversity and Inclusion initiative. • Produced a pulse survey of the organization to access the presence of Diversity and Inclusion. • Co-designed the educational curriculum to cover bias, inclusive leadership and cultural competence. • Created and implemented the organizational strategy around diversity and inclusion. • Developed and implemented programs designed to increase diversity; promote a work culture of inclusion.• Educated and influenced executives, Board members, and attorneys. • Published articles, one on Inclusion in the Illinois Supreme Court newsletter, another dealing with diversity and inclusion in the IILP Review. • Taught classes (continuing education) including decision making & bias, cultural competence, and diversity. Show less
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Senior Litigation Counsel
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Jan 2006 - Jan 2020
• Led a legal team. • Carried a caseload of over 80 active confidential investigations and 10-15 pending hearings.• Led investigations of grievances from the public against Illinois attorneys• Litigated disciplinary prosecutions and advise on resolutions for final disposition.• Provided legal opinions and recommendations regarding attorneys’ conduct.• Public Speaker and Educational Trainer teaching classes on rules of professional conduct.
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Office of the Public Defender Maryland
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Baltimore, Maryland Area
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Assistant Public Defender ► High Volume Courtroom Legal Representation ♦ Forensic Investigations
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Sep 2002 - Jun 2005
• Represented indigent criminal defendants charged with a variety of misdemeanor crimes. • Handled a high-volume caseload with immediate courtroom experience blending my expertise in law, forensics, and psychology. • Represented indigent criminal defendants charged with a variety of misdemeanor crimes. • Handled a high-volume caseload with immediate courtroom experience blending my expertise in law, forensics, and psychology.
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Education
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2016 - 2017
Georgetown University
Executive Certificate, Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management -
2019 - 2020
Harvard Extension School
Graduate Certificate, Organizational Behavior -
2000 - 2002
The George Washington University
Master's Degree, Forensic Sciences -
1997 - 2000
Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.) -
1993 - 1996
Hampton University
Bachelor's Degree, Psychology -
1989 - 1993
Saint Ignatius College Preparatory
High School
Community
