Media Contact: Edgar Ndjatou, Executive Director
edgar@workplacefairness.org
(202) 540-0620
https://www.workplacefairness.org/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shared Visions of Thought Leaders at Workplace Fairness Help Those Experiencing Angst in the Workplace
Workplace Fairness is the #1 Most Comprehensive Online Resource for Information About Workplace Rights
WASHINGTON (July 18, 2020) – Workplace Fairness is the web’s leading source for information on legal rights in the workplace. This organization helps those who have been treated unfairly in the workplace. Workplace Fairness is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for and promotes employee rights.
From its inception, Workplace Fairnessfounders had shared visions of how to help those in need in the workplace. The Workplace Fairness Board of Directors comprises professionals from the nonprofit and for-profit sector who are dedicated to the organization’s mission of workers’ rights advocacy.
Serving on the Workplace Fairness Board of Directors is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about advocating for workers’ rights. Both the Workplace Fairness staff and the Workplace Fairness Board of Directorsmembers are recognized by peers, workers and workers’ rights advocates for their expertise, points of view, insights and deep understanding of the areas they serve.
Here is a look at the “Thought Leaders,” from both the staff and board members of Workplace Fairness.
Staff
Executive Director
Edgar Ndjatou
Edgar Ndjatou has expertise in directing all aspects of programs for a national organization educating workers and their advocates and promoting worker-friendly public policy. He is the media lead for Workplace Fairness and provides expert commentary to mainstream and digital media on a wide variety of workplace topics, including sexual harassment, workplace privacy and employment discrimination. Ndjatou also advises the organization on website strategy and content as well as oversees WF's 0.1.2.3 Content Licensing for Legal Websites program.
Ndjatou’s previous experience includes practicing employment law for nine years, including co-managing his own law firm. As an employment lawyer, Ndjatou represented employees in the federal, nonprofit and private sectors, in all phases of administrative proceedings and lawsuits involving claims under federal, state and local employment laws. Ndjatou is the Founding Principal of Officium, LLC. He provides consulting services for individuals and organizations in the following areas: personal career, human resources, administrative and management. Ndjatou has degrees from American University Washington College of Law and Brandeis University.
Administrative and Development Director
Carole Bernard
Carole Bernard is a seasoned nonprofit manager with more than 18 years of leadership experience in executive management, strategic communications, fund development, community and public relations, advocacy, membership recruitment and retention, volunteer management, board development and strategic planning. Since 2015, she has operated her own consulting business, Bernard Consulting & Associates, LLC, where she has successfully helped small and large nonprofit organizations exceed their strategic goals.
Most recently, Bernard served as the director of communications for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. and the executive director of the Scleroderma Foundation Greater Washington, DC Chapter. Prior to starting her business, Bernard served as the executive director of the Gateway Community Development Corporation and the director of communications for the Rosslyn Business Improvement District. She also has held senior management roles at the National Minority AIDS Council and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Bernard is originally from Boston, where her first job out of graduate school was a speechwriter for the Mayor of Boston. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a minor in French from Framingham State College and a Master of Science degree in Journalism from Boston University.
Communications Coordinator
Jaimie-Esther Lebrun
Jaimie E. Lebrun serves as the Communications Coordinator for Workplace Fairness and is an attorney with experience in the areas of employment and labor law. She graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and minor in Spanish. Following college, she worked abroad in Kenya as the Volunteer Coordinator at Kenya’s Children Home. After leaving Kenya, Lebrun moved to Kuwait and served as a Curriculum Coordinator and English Teacher for various schools in the region. Following her time in Kuwait, she attended American University Washington College of Law, graduating with a degree of Juris Doctor in 2017. While in law school, Lebrun began working with Workplace Fairness as a legal intern. Since then, she continues with the organization in managing communications for the organization, including website/social media content and updates.
Administrator
Alexis Cook
Alexis Cook is the President of WSC Associates, LLP (WSC), a woman-owned minority small business located in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Since 2004, WSC has provided management services in the areas of administration, bookkeeping, events, membership, and human resources which has created stability and continuity for the infrastructures of nonprofits and small businesses.
Cook spent 20 years working in Corporate prior to resigning from her last place of employment, Ernst & Young, where she was responsible for managing and professionally developing 22 administrative assistants accomplishments include writing and implementing policies and procedures for world-wide organizations, developing and monitoring budgets between $100K-$5M, creating and maintaining a variety of databases, creating presentations and company newsletters, and developing and implementing administrative training programs.
Board of Directors
President
Wayne Outten
Outten & Golden LLP
New York, New York
Wayne N. Outten is one of the founders of Workplace Fairness, formerly known as the National Employee Rights Institute (NERI), and has remained involved in various capacities since 1994. He has committed himself, through Workplace Fairness and many other organizations, to advocating for workers’ rights nationwide.
Outten is founding and managing partner of Outten & Golden LLP. His practice focuses exclusively on representing employees. He co-chairs the firm’s Executives and Professionals Practice Group. His practice focuses on representing senior employees and professionals in all aspects of employment, including negotiation of employment, compensation, severance, expatriate, and secondment agreements. His notable recoveries include $12 million in a discrimination/retaliation case, $18.9 million in a breach-of-contract case, and $72.0 million in a compensation case.
Outten’s recognitions include “Best Lawyers in America”; Top 100 New York Metro Super Lawyers; Best Lawyer's "Lawyer of the Year 2010" for Labor and Employment Law - NYC and "Lawyer of the Year 2012" for Litigation - Labor and Employment in NYC; Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2006); Lawdragon's 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America (2007); and Lawdragon "legend" (2015).
Outten is also a founding member and/or leader in many organizations, including National Employment Lawyers Association and its New York affiliate, the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section (Chair, 2015-2016). He has lectured and written extensively on negotiation, mediation and arbitration of employment disputes and on employment and severance agreements.
More at http://www.outtengolden.com/lawyer-attorney/wayne-n-outten.
Vice President
Darnley D. Stewart
Outten & Golden, LLP
New York, New York
Darnley D. Stewart has served as Vice President for Workplace Fairness since 2013. She is Of Counsel at Outten & Golden LLP in New York. As a former partner at that firm, she co-chaired the Discrimination & Retaliation Practice Group and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) Workplace Rights Practice Group. Stewart is admitted to practice in New York and is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) and its New York affiliate (“NELA/NY”).
More at http://www.outtengolden.com/lawyer-attorney/darnley-d-stewart.
Vice President
Frederick Gittes
Gittes Law Group
Columbus, Ohio
Frederick M. Gittes is Vice President of the Board of Workplace Fairness and has been with the organization for over 16 years, lending his expertise in both employment law topics and board leadership. He is former president of the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Ohio Association for Justice. He was appointed Chair of the Civil Rights Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association for five years and elected Chairperson of the OSBA's Labor and Employment Law Section. Gittes has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for over twenty years, in areas of practice including Employment Law, First Amendment Law and Communications Law. Gittes has been honored in Ohio Super Lawyers for over a decade, including selections as one of the top 100 lawyers in Ohio and top 50 in Columbus.
More at http://www.gitteslaw.com/frederick-gittes.
Secretary
Walt Auvil
Rusen & Auvil, PLLC
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Walt Auvil is another long-time member of the board and supporter of Workplace Fairness. He is the current Managing Attorney of The Employment Law Center, PLLC, since 1989. His practice is focused on representation of employees in employment-related litigation. He was Law Clerk at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals from 1981 to 1983. Publications include Employment at Will, A State-by-State Survey. Auvil is also Chair of the West Virginia State Bar Employment Law Committee of the West Virginia State Bar.
More at https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltauvil.
Treasurer
Shireen Mitchell
Digital Sisters, Inc. and Stop Online Violence Against Women
Washington, D.C.
Shireen Mitchell offers Workplace Fairness her expertise as a nonprofit board member, as well as in digital communications and social media. She is an award-winning technological woman of color, founder, author, speaker, social entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, advocate, diversity analyst, and a political, digital & social strategist. Mitchell is a native New Yorker who spent time playing video games, and designing BBS boards and gopher sites before the web went worldwide. She has served as a nonprofit board member for over a decade. She is currently on the boards of Workplace Fairness, Center for Partnership Studies, and the Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations.
More at https://about.me/digitalsista.
Board Member
Heidi M. Allison
Allison & Taylor Reference Checking Inc.
Rochester, Michigan
Heidi Allison currently serves as a board member for Workplace Fairness, lending her expertise in communications, public relations, social media and media relations. One of her passions is assisting job seekers with ground-breaking advice and discussions about career advancement.
More at https://www.allisontaylor.com/ and https://www.allisontaylor.com/blog/alexandra-allison-bio/
Board Member
Fran L. Rudich
Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP
Rye Brook, New York
Fran Rudich serves on the board for Workplace Fairness, lending her unique expertise in employment law, particularly in the class action arena. She concentrates her practice in complex litigation and class action matters, with a particular emphasis in representing employees in all aspects of employment law, particularly sexual harassment, various issues of discrimination, and cases involving violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act, and state wage and hour statutes. Rudich has been the lead attorney in numerous multi-million-dollar employment discrimination jury verdicts against major national entities and corporations.
More at http://klafterolsen.com/attorneys/fran-l-rudich/.
Board Member
Shannon E. Rusz
Rusz Legal Services
Annapolis, Maryland
Shannon Rusz is a practicing attorney in Maryland and has been affiliated with Workplace Fairness for many years in various capacities. In addition to her law practice she was on the staff of Workplace Fairness for five years, helping to grow the organization and reach the workers that can use our services. Rusz believes that workers need and deserve access to free, easy to ready information about their rights in the workplace. As a member of the board, she hopes she can help to expand the reach of WF's services and continue helping workers across the country.
More at https://ruszlegal.com/.
Board Member
Rebecca M. Hamburg
Rebecca Hamburg Consulting
Los Angeles, California
Rebecca M. Hamburg is the founder and principal consultant for Rebecca Hamburg Consulting. She empowers organizations with the tools and knowledge to achieve their vision for a better world. Through strategic planning, workshops, and project management support, Hamburg enables both nonprofits and foundations to be agents of change. She provides guidance that assists grant makers in understanding how they can support and engage in advocacy and other nonprofit organizations to engage their communities in public policy efforts through an understanding of federal tax and election law.
Recognizing that systemic change is a long-term investment, Hamburg also emboldens nonprofits to put their vision into action by developing goals that maximize their capacity to serve as agents of change. She supports organizations to design, develop, analyze, and evaluate programs, projects, and activities through setting specific goals and meeting criteria for success.
Prior to starting her consulting firm, Hamburg served as the West Coast Director for Alliance for Justice, a national nonprofit committed to ensuring that Americans have their voices heard when government makes decisions that affect their lives, and the Program Director of the National Employment Lawyers Association, the country’s largest organization of lawyers who exclusively or primarily represent employees in employment-related matters. She also spent several years litigating cases on behalf of public and private employees around the country, as well as victims of civil and human rights abuses. Rebecca received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and her B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego.
More at https://www.rebeccahamburgconsulting.com/
Board Member
Barry Seng
Ernst and Young LLP
Washington, D.C.
Barry Seng is a recent addition to the Board of Directors at Workplace Fairness bringing his expertise in development, digital strategy, and youth outreach. He currently works as a Management Consultant at EY, helping clients solve their pressing needs to better serve their customers. Seng has experience officiating microgrant programs, revamping organizations’ digital platforms, and connecting youth advocates with resources and organizations. Barry graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Minors in Spanish and Art History. Through his experience as a digital transformation consultant and a board member of Workplace Fairness, he hopes to expand programming and training, connect with labor rights activists, and support workers.
More at https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryseng/
Board Member
Rafael Sugiyama
Deseret First Credit Union
West Valley City, Utah
Rafael Sugiyama is an IT Manager at Deseret First Credit union and newly elected board member of Workplace Fairness. He has more than 10 years of experience in multinational organizations. He began his career at BDO Brazil, moving from an intern position to a Systems Analyst. He later spent a significant portion of his career at KPMG Brazil where he not only helped to create and implement new systems methodology, but also led multiple IT projects at the organization. In addition to his professional career Sugiyama has been actively engaged in the Helping Hands volunteer program to provide community service and improve people's lives. He was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has been living in the US since December 2018, when he and his family of four kids moved to Utah so he could attend the University of Utah, where he graduated in December 2019 with a Master of Science in Information Systems.
More at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-sugiyama/
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The Workplace Fairness website, workplacefairness.org, provides comprehensive information about job rights and employment issues nationally and in all 50 states. It is for workers, advocates, employers, policymakers, journalists and anyone else who wants to understand, protect and strengthen workers’ rights.
Workplace Fairness publishes a weekly newsletter, Workplace Week, which covers news and commentary on critical issues affecting employees and their advocates. Find helpful and more comprehensive information at https://www.workplacefairness.org/
To find out more about workplace rights and other related news stories, sign up for our E-Newsletter. The newsletter includes stories covered at Today’s Workplace Blog and the In the News sections of the website.
WF Note: You can help us in our effort to support employees, as they navigate these unchartered waters, by making a donation today. No amount is too small or too large. Together, we can ensure that individual workers are protected and empowered! Click here to make your contribution now!
With your support, we can continue to meet the changing needs of workers across the country. We can continue to expand our online platform with new and updated resources, and we can build new programs and projects that will help us reach more workers and provide even more help and information to America’s workforce.
We hope you will consider making a financial contribution to help improve workplace fairness across the nation. For more information about Workplace Fairness or how to support/donate to the organization, please contact Carole Bernard, Administrative and Development Director, at carole@workplacefairness.org.
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About Workplace Fairness
Workplace Fairness is a nonprofit organization that provides information, education and assistance to individual workers and their advocates nationwide and promotes public policies that advance employee rights. The organization’s mission is to educate workers and their advocates about workplace rights and options for resolving workplace problems and that policymakers, members of the business community and the public view the fair treatment of workers as both good business practice and sound public policy.
Private Interview Opportunities
Individual interviews with Workplace Fairness staff and members of the Board of Directors can be scheduled to discuss workplace issues for workers and employers.
Workplace Fairness
c/o Outten & Golden, LLP
601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 200W
Washington, DC 20001
240-203-9032
Workplace Fairness: It's Everyone's Job
https://www.workplacefairness.org/contact
