Sarah Sawvell, Director of Legal Operations and eDiscovery at Honeywell, and Kamika Brown, Associate Director of Client Services at Lighthouse, recently explored these issues. The transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity. ‍

Kamika Brown: What does inclusion mean to you and why is it important?

‍Sarah Sawvell: Each one of us has unique and special talents to offer our professional and personal communities. Fostering an inclusive environment of mutual respect and understanding allows individuals to fully highlight these attributes and showcase their abilities. There is a lot we can learn from one another. It is critical that we create safe and secure environments to enhance and support these interactions.

‍In what ways have you experienced the power of inclusion?

‍As a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, the first of the seven sister colleges, I studied with a diverse and inclusive cohort in an academic environment committed to the mission of educating women leaders that can make a difference in the world. In so many areas of my life, this was a life changing experience for me. Twenty years later, I remain committed to this mission and apply these principles each day whether I am serving as a trusted advisor or mentor or creating opportunities for others to grow and excel in personal or professional areas that are meaningful to them.

‍What role models or trailblazers have made a difference in promoting inclusion and equality in your life?

‍There are so many inspiring stories of women making a difference and championing equality and inclusion both in the United States and abroad. It is difficult to select just one person, industry, or geographic location. Early in my career, in my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, there were several trailblazers who broke down barriers, demonstrated what was possible, and served as role models for me and for so many other young professionals in the legal community. Without their leadership, advocacy, and advice, my career and life would look much different than it does today. Jean Hoefer Toal, Lesley Coggiola, Joy S. Goodwin, and Marguerite Willis all have achieved a variety of firsts in the legal industry. Their contributions and legacies have a direct impact on all our professional and personal lives each and every day.

‍How can we inspire the next generation of women to embrace inclusion and leadership?

‍Sharing the history, stories, and information about overcoming challenges and barriers is key to preparing and inspiring the next generation of female leaders. If we take the time to talk about and learn about the efforts (both successful and unsuccessful) of previous generations, there are many lessons that can be applied today to further develop more inclusive environments. International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month, and professional organizations like Women in eDiscovery (WiE) or employee resource groups (ERG) are safe forums to start and have these conversations. But they should not end here. Finding and serving as a trusted mentor and advisor to others is a critical component to fostering the next generation of leaders.

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