NOV. 2, 2023 – Yusuf Zakir, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, has been recognized by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance with the organization's "Cultural Catalyst" award.
The award was created this year to honor exceptional professionals in the areas of talent, diversity, and HR who have been "integral to transforming their organizational culture and embracing innovation, inclusion, and/or flexibility."
Zakir and his fellow honoree, Maja Hazell, the managing director and head of diversity at global investment management firm The D.E. Shaw Group, were recognized today at the Alliance's annual conference in Washington, D.C. Following the award presentation, Zakir and Hazell presented a panel discussion entitled "Culture Catalysts: Honoring & Learning from Exceptional Leaders Driving Transformational Cultural Change," moderated by Alliance president and CEO Manar Morales.
"At Davis Wright Tremaine I am fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues who care deeply about, and are committed to advancing, a culture of equity and inclusion," Zakir said at the event. "We have been fortunate to create opportunities for success for many, but there is still much more to be done. My success can only be measured by the success of those around me."
"Since arriving at Davis Wright three years ago, Yusuf has made an extraordinary contribution to our firm," said managing partner Scott MacCormack. "Through a framework built on four pillars—community, growth, education, and engagement—Yusuf has established trusted relationships across our firm and inspired a daily commitment to making Davis Wright, and the legal profession at large, more diverse, equitable, and inclusive."
Zakir is widely recognized as an influential leader in the DEI space. Under his leadership, the firm has earned significant recognition from clients, including the T-Mobile 2023 Excellence in Diversity Award, the 2022 Citi Law Firm Diversity Champion Award, and the 2021 U.S. Bank Invested in Diversity Award. Zakir's "Bias Interrupter" program was recently shortlisted by The Financial Times Innovative Lawyers North America 2023 Awards in the category of Innovation in People Skills and Development.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more at www.dwt.com/dei.