Cleary Gottlieb hosted its Women’s History Month celebration, “Her Story, Her Voice: A Conversation With Wanji Walcott,” Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and General Counsel of Discover Financial Services.
Over 160 participants attended the virtual event. Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang delivered welcome remarks, and partner Lisa Vicens moderated the discussion.
Wanji discussed her life and career as a legal executive. With over 25 years of experience in the technology and legal spaces, she has extensive experience with payments, fintech, innovation, compliance, government relations, investigations, M&A, talent management, and diversity. She has held positions at prominent companies such as American Express, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, DSET Corporation, and Lockheed Martin IMS Corporation, and most recently served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel at PayPal.
In her current role at Discover, Wanji is responsible for leading Discover’s legal team, advising the executive committee, and supporting the board of directors. She is also on The Gunnery School Board of Trustees and is a member of the Board of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.
As a fierce advocate for the promotion of employee development and diversity, equity, and inclusion, she has been named one of Savoy magazine’s Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America (2020), is one of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2019), and has won the Chambers Women in Law Award (2018).
Cleary is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. The firm regularly hosts important cultural events and guest speakers whose presentations afford opportunities to broaden awareness, heighten the level of discussion, and establish a culture of inclusion at the firm. To learn more about Cleary’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, click here.