WASHINGTON DC, October 12, 2020: For the sixth consecutive year, Morgan Lewis Firm Chair Jami McKeon will host an emerging female leader through the Fortune–US Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership. This prestigious annual partnership seeks to equip participants from around the world with critical business and leadership skills, expand their networks, and inspire them to “pay it forward” in their communities. Guatemalan lawyer Gabriela Roca will participate with Ms. McKeon in this year’s virtual mentorship program taking place between October 12 and November 20.
“The importance of empowering all women, wherever they are, to be the best leaders they can be is at the heart of the Fortune/State Department partnership. We are so proud to be part of this program, and are grateful do to our part to help women rise across the globe,” said Ms. McKeon. “For the past six years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to share my experiences and insight, and learn from women like Gabriela who are defying cultural norms to become powerful and inspirational voices.”
Ms. Roca, an energy lawyer and founding partner of QIL+4 Abogados, sits on a national board of electricity wholesalers, which serves as a valuable voice of insight to the US Embassy, and has taken multiple high-profile mining and energy cases to Guatemala’s highest court. She is a founding member and vice president of the Guatemalan chapter of the Vance Center Women in the Profession Program—Transforma Abogadas en Guate. The Guatemalan chapter was launched in 2016 as an initiative to enhance diversity and inclusion at all levels of the legal profession. Ms. Roca is also director of the Women’s Justice Initiative in Guatemala.
“I am conscious about my responsibility in the world to help Guatemalan women, especially indigenous women, see beyond the limited role models in my home country. Having the chance to partner with Morgan Lewis and have Jami McKeon as my mentor will expand both my perspective and my connections to do just that,” Ms. Roca said. “My goal in participating in this program is to help create a culture in my law firm where young lawyers have faith in justice and understand the role lawyers can play in creating a better world.”