Diversity Lab has announced the appointment of Angela Kelley – a business strategist who has previously held general counsel, corporate secretary, executive vice president, and senior vice president roles – as its new chief executive officer.
In a press release, Diversity Lab said Kelley can bring a combination of strategic knowledge, people-centric leadership, and a consistent commitment to the company’s values to her new role over the coming decade.
Diversity Lab added that Kelley’s appointment comes in the context of significant changes among law firms, legal departments, legal professionals, and the wider society, as well as challenges like the evolving remote work environment, AI technology adoption, and increasing political turmoil.
According to Diversity Lab, for more than a decade, it has worked to utilize data and science to:
- promote fairness, inclusion, and innovation within the legal profession
- make the playing field equal using structure, accountability, and transparency
- develop workplaces where lawyers of all backgrounds can access meaningful work, clear career paths, and the support they require to progress and lead
- focus on legal leaders rising to influential roles in governments, boardrooms, and courtrooms
“Now is the time to take our most impactful data and findings from the past 10 years and share them in ways that can benefit our industry,” Kelley said in the press release.
Diversity Lab shared that it plans to launch its science-based and data-backed talent strategies soon. It stressed that its information demonstrates that establishing inclusive talent systems benefits everybody.
“We’ve tested dozens of talent practices with 500+ firms and legal departments,” Kelley said. “Some looked promising but didn’t hold up long term. Others delivered measurable, lasting results.”
Kelley added that Diversity Lab will utilize that data to assist the legal marketplace in incorporating talent systems that are not “just successful in theory, but truly effective in real-world environments to engage and retain top talent.”
Following Kelley’s appointment, Diversity Lab founder Caren Ulrich Stacy will maintain her participation in the company’s daily tasks and overall goals. Stacy will work together with Kelley and the rest of the team to develop data-driven solutions.
“I’m still all in—doing the work I love, with the people I admire, and with a new leader who sees opportunity at every turn,” Stacy said in the company’s press release. “After 10 years of building the business, I am proudly handing over the management reins to Angela who brings a fresh perspective and a strategic approach to lead us into the next 10 years.”
More on Kelly
Kelley’s LinkedIn page provided more information on her professional and educational background. At HTLF in Denver, Colorado, she has served as director of wealth management, EVP, as well as deputy general counsel, corporate secretary, and SVP.
Before that, she acted as general counsel, corporate secretary, and EVP, as well as executive leader for global treasury management at Pacific Western Bank in Denver. She was also general counsel, corporate secretary, and EVP at NBT Bank in New York.
Kelley worked as an attorney at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She earned her JD from the University of Iowa College of Law.