Karen Wilson Thissen

• I will use my senior leadership position at the Company to visibly champion and bring to life the Company’s internal and external D&I equity commitments.
• I will ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be visible core values of the department, and are reflected in how we recruit, develop, retain, and advance talent.
• I will track and report on progress in diverse representation and progression for historically underrepresented groups within the department.
• I will relentlessly seek out and recruit diverse talent and have my team do the same for any open positions.
• I will seek and leverage opportunities to be an advocate for meaningfully increasing diversity in the legal profession.
• I will connect with peers and national and local resources, including LCLD, to share best practices and support initiatives that advance diversity in the legal profession.
• I will dedicate significant time and financial resources to organizations focused on supporting and advancing underrepresented groups and breaking down opportunity gaps.
• I will meet one-on-one with diverse members on my team to listen to them and let them know they are supported.

• I will ensure that our legal service providers understand, value, and advance our D&I expectations and I will direct significant spend towards minority-owned law firms and minority lead partners.
• I will critically evaluate and employ law firm metrics and survey data to better inform the D&I status of potential and Preferred Providers.
• I will partner with Twin Cities Diversity in Practice to invite underrepresented law school students to spend time at the Company either through summer or post-law school intern programs.
• I will sponsor participants in the LCLD Fellows and Pathfinder programs, engaging directly with active participants and alumni and identifying ways to enhance their visibility and opportunities within the department.
• I will focus on having diversity in succession planning for internal leadership positions.
• I will ensure an ongoing and effective Law Department DE&I Committee that builds and strengthens diversity and inclusion through policy development, programming, leadership opportunities, and team connection activities.
• I will actively support and leverage the Company’s Allyship programs, Courageous Conversations, and related D&I programming and resources.
• I will include in each Department meeting a meaningful inclusion topic and regularly report on D&I goals, initiatives, resources, and results.
• We will leverage the Department’s unique skills to support the Company’s racial equity initiatives in the local community, including through pro bono representation and government relations efforts.
• We will support and partner with local organizations, including diversity bar association groups and Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, to support diversity in the local legal community.

To learn more about Karen, click here.