AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight Series: Monica Elms

As part of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration, we’ve asked our colleagues to reflect on the significance of this month.

Cleary Gottlieb diversity, equity & inclusion coordinator Monica Elms shares some of her thoughts below.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Cleary.

I’m Monica, and I concluded my first week at Cleary preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic, so I’ve been at Cleary for over five years. I’ve had the unique experience of collaborating with all the teams within Talent as a legal talent assistant and now as a diversity, equity & inclusion coordinator.

What does AANHPI Month mean to you?

AANHPI Month means a lot of different things to me, but mainly means I am not alone in one of my most visible identities. It is deeply personal and I reflect on what I represent. I’ve held onto shame for my identity because of how I grew up, and every AANHPI month is an opportunity to rewrite my past with a little more self-compassion.

What are the benefits of joining an affinity group at Cleary?

The greatest benefit I have gained from the affinity groups are the friendships, especially the ones in different departments and offices. Not only has this made working more enjoyable, I’ve also learned from the people who make Cleary great.

Are there any programs at Cleary that you have been part of that have contributed to your professional journey and feeling included at the firm?

This may be silly, but one thing I will never forget is playing Mario Kart during the pandemic with my colleagues and our significant others after work. We had so much fun that it became a regular thing. It was a fun way to pass and connect casually outside of work. It made me feel the most included and allowed me to get to know my colleagues on another level that benefited my working relationships.