Crain’s New York Business has named Natalie Kernisant, Morrison & Foerster’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, to its list of Notable Black Leaders & Executives 2021. The special section recognizes black men and women who have impacted New York City in major ways and sets out to honor their professional, civic, and philanthropic achievements.
Natalie began her career at Morrison & Foerster in 2013, serving as Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Among her many achievements in this role, Natalie has been instrumental in shaping and coordinating the firm’s response to fighting racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. She has led the D+I team in providing outstanding programming, training, and educational opportunities, and she spearheaded the development of four engagement committees focused on legal services, charitable donations, community action, and education. Appointed as the firm’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in December 2020, Natalie now provides strategic leadership to advance recruiting and retention of diverse talent, as well as supporting client development in the area of D+I.
As part of the honor, Natalie was featured in a special edition of Crain’s New York Business.