Meet Iveliz Crespo (pronouns: she/her/ella), the Law Department’s new and first-ever Director of Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, and a self-described “outgoing introvert.” Iveliz refers to herself as a lawyer by training and social change/diversity advocate by passion.
Before joining the Law Department in September, Iveliz worked as a civil litigator for various non-profits representing some of the most marginalized communities. She has fought for migrant farm workers in civil rights, labor trafficking, and employment law matters and LGBTQ clients in a variety of legal issues that stem from their sexual orientation and gender identity.
We sat down with Iveliz to learn more about her day-to-day routine and gather some fun facts about her working style.
Open your desk drawer right now—what’s in it?
Pens that are sometimes functional, my pronoun pin, Post-it Notes, and fruit snacks.
Give us your definition of diversity and inclusion.
As a queer woman of color, my view of diversity is a global and intersectional one that includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, pregnancy, religion, and veteran status. At some point, everyone falls into an identity that may come up against a barrier to their full participation. My role is to identify these barriers and to advocate breaking them down.
Diversity is about bringing together people who have different qualities, perspectives, and life experiences. Inclusion is about inviting those to proudly display their differences and creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, and supported.
What does that look like at the Law Department?
I promote strategies and initiatives that help to ensure that there is diverse representation among employees so that our working environment allows individuals to be their authentic selves.
Part of that involves attracting diverse pools of highly qualified candidates for all job openings. If we are not actively searching for all qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups, we are not truly considering all of the best and the brightest.
I recognize that diversity initiatives are unsuccessful unless we are intentional about creating an inclusive work environment. I am currently working on an inclusivity assessment that will allow us to measure and improve how inclusive we are as a department.
Why is professional development important for attorneys?
I think it is imperative that professional development occur across the board for ALL Law Department staff. Employee development and engagement are an integral part of maintaining a strong workplace culture. By providing ongoing opportunities for professional development, employees feel invested in their own growth as well as in the larger mission of the Law Department. This is true for all employees — attorneys and professional staff alike.
What is the biggest challenge of your role?
The biggest challenge about working in my role is that the work is never “done.” There will always be more to do when it comes to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace and world.
What do you find most rewarding about this role?
I have the unique opportunity to work alongside of some of the brightest legal minds in Philadelphia. I am constantly learning and that is an incredible experience. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue to elevate the Law Department’s profile as a department that is not only representative of the residents of Philadelphia, but also a place where employees can thrive and grow professionally.
