Sacha de Klerk is the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Norton Rose Fulbright in Canada and strives to embed DEI in all operations. She developed and implemented a transformative approach over a programmatic one, emphasizing the importance of individuals taking personal action. Some of the actions taken to support this approach include establishing a comprehensive DEI curriculum of empowerment, ensuring DEI goals are integrated in the firm’s overall strategy, and developing a grassroots movement through Employee Resource Groups and committees. Sacha increased demographic data accountability and transparency and implemented career development programs and initiatives to support advancing women's careers and racialized lawyers. Under her leadership, the firm’s score on their annual Inclusion Index has experienced significant improvements and implementation of new policies in areas like micro-aggression reporting and education.
To meet the needs of an emerging and evolving workforce, Sacha support the importance of three areas. They are to ensure equitable career outcomes through hybrid work schedules, supporting diversity in the pipeline for aspiring lawyers by offering scholarships and internships, and prioritizing succession to increase diversity in leadership. She also collaborates on the firm’s initiatives to create equity through empowering local communities, pro bono legal services, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.