Last Friday, Women in eDiscovery announced the formal leadership team for the Operation Safe Spaces (OSS) Task Force. Here’s part of the press release.

Women in eDiscovery™ Announces Operation Safe Spaces Leadership Team

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 28, 2024 – Women in eDiscovery, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that brings together women interested in technology related to the legal profession, is proud to announce the formal leadership team for the Operation Safe Spaces (OSS) Task Force. This initiative helps to foster inclusive spaces for all regardless of gender, where mutual respect flourishes within the legal and eDiscovery communities.

The newly appointed leadership team will establish strategic goals and objectives to enhance environments of respect and safety within the legal and eDiscovery communities. The leadership consists of:

Executive Committee:

• President: Esther Birnbaum
• Vice President: Blair Cohen
• Secretaries: Jennifer Griffith and Christine Porras

Working Group Chairs:

• Allies Working Group: Florinda Baldridge and Jared Crafton
• Events Liaison Working Group: Marla Crawford and Joy Heath Rush
• PR/Media Working Group: Amy Juers and Maribel Rivera
• Resource Aggregation/Reporting Working Group: Shimmy Messing and Rachel O’Shea
• Training/Education Working Group: Deeanna Fleener and Shana Pederson

“We are honored to lead the Operation Safe Spaces Task Force with such a dedicated team. Our mission is to create environments where respect and safety are paramount,” shares Birnbaum. “Together, we will establish strategic goals and initiatives to make a tangible difference in the legal and eDiscovery communities. With our collective expertise and passion, we will set new standards for inclusivity and safety.”

Operation Safe Spaces is a working group assembled to inspire change by cultivating an atmosphere where mutual respect flourishes guided by education, heightened awareness and actionable protocols.

Cohen states, “The heart of OSS’s efforts is a deep commitment to our community. We believe every individual deserves a safe space to thrive, and our team’s dedication to this cause is unwavering. We hope our collective expertise and passion will transform industry standards and inspire others to join us.”

Beth Finkle, executive director of Women in eDiscovery states, “I am thrilled to express our full support for OSS. This new task force is poised to make a significant impact by creating a safe environment for all and bridging crucial gaps within our community. At Women in eDiscovery, we understand the importance of fostering inclusivity and providing resources for personal and professional growth. OSS’s mission aligns perfectly with our values, and we are excited to collaborate and support their efforts to drive meaningful change.”

The task force working groups will create:

Educational Programs: To enlighten and empower individuals about the importance of safe and respectful environments.

Reporting Infrastructure: To ensure every voice is heard and concerns are addressed promptly.

Resource Allocation: To support the task force’s core values with necessary resources.

Media Press Kits and Initiatives: To spread the message widely and build a culture of safety and respect.

Guidelines: To ensure all professional gatherings are safe spaces for everyone involved.

Operation Safe Spaces is collaborating with ILTA to better understand the safety protocols in place for ILTACON. The task force will provide an educational session at ILTACON, taking place August 11-15, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. This session will be a significant platform to share insights, strategies and the importance of creating safe spaces within our professional spheres.

To learn more about Operation Safe Spaces, visit https://www.womeninediscovery.org/OSS.

Congratulations to Women in eDiscovery announced the formal leadership team for the Operation Safe Spaces (OSS) Task Force! An important step to creating safe spaces!

Important Note: Harassment, including sexual harassment, continues to be a problem at conferences, and in society in general. Here is a recent post I published regarding incidents that occurred at this year’s Legalweek conference that also has resources with more information (suggestions for additional resources welcome). Let’s make conferences and our workplaces safe for everyone.

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