2025: The Gathering & How to Be an Ally
The DEIA Team recently held our last 2025 event – The Gathering. About the GatheringALANYC’s award-winning event The Gathering is designed to be a meaningful discussion based upon the simple traditional concept of sharing a meal and engaging in diverse conversational topics. 2025 EventOur 2025 event included a dinner and discussion of our final book for the year: How to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace by Melinda Briana Epler. A special thanks to DEIA team members, Lesya Osipova, Chief Operating Officer, Reid Law Associates PLLC, Business Partner, Gayatri Joshi, co-founder and partner at Vorgate Impact LLC, for facilitating the session, and Rose A. Jaworecki, Legal Office Administrator at Thompson Hine LLP, ALA Board of Directors, and 2019-2020 Past President of ALANYC for hosting our session. About the BookHow to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace by Melinda Briana Epler. Discover how to support others in thriving, challenge biases, and foster an equitable workplace. This book provides insights into allyship, including how to: -Listen to others’ perspectives-Identify personal biases-Avoid microaggressions-Advocate in everyday situations-Foster inclusive team norms
fitALANYC Movement Challenge
fitALANYC held a Movement Challenge in November—because someone had to work off the turkey and sweet potatoes! Our incredible Business Partners and members teamed up to challenge themselves (and each other) to get moving. Whether walking, running, dancing, or flowing through Downward-Facing Dog, everyone got their move on. The four-week challenge delivered plenty of energy and friendly competition, with four standout team wins: Team Stepping Up came out strong and dominated Week One; Lost in Pace surged ahead to claim Week Two; Stepping Up made an impressive comeback to take the top spot again in Week Three; and Smooth Operators earned bragging rights as Most Improved. We had an absolute blast and can’t wait for the next Movement Challenge. Get ready—and join us next time! Congratulations to all of our teams!
Support Through Our Business Partners
Support Through Our Business Partners In this episode we are getting to know our Business Partners and digging deep to learn more about their business. Board Members Francine Lahm and Viviana Llanos-Laut talk with our Business Partners from Sovereign Discovery, ECFX and Robert Half.
Annual Career Day
We hosted our Annual Virtual Legal Career Day. This exciting event opens the door for New York City’s 10th – 12th-grade high school students to discover the rewarding world of a career in the legal industry. The goal of this program is to provide students with an understanding of various positions required to operate a successful law firm and pique their interest in a legal career. Our event featured an inspiring lineup of panelists, including top C-suite executives, who shared their journeys, roles, and the joys of working in law. Students had the opportunity to discuss our panelists’ positions, and their career paths, and discover how they apply their talents and passions to their profession. We would like to thank the members of the ALANYC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Team and the Community Services/C.O.R.E. Team for their continued dedication to this program A heart-felt thanks to our esteemed panelists for their time, insight on their experiences, for sharing their journey into the legal space, and advice to the students. Lastly, a special thanks to the Archdiocese of New York for allowing us to present this session and to the students that expressed their interest and enthusiasm for our program. Our sincere hope is to inspire these young men and women to pursue a career in the legal industry and support them with internship and/or employment opportunities.
Gatsby Soiree
A little party never hurt anybody. Step into the glamour of the Roaring Twenties at ALANYC’s Annual Winter Party: A Gatsby Winter Soirée—an evening inspired by the elegance, sparkle, and timeless energy of Gatsby’s world. Join us on January 14 at Gatsby’s Landing for a night where the lights feel a little softer, the conversations shimmer, and the city itself seems to lean in. This gathering brings members and business partners together for easy connection, warm conversation, and the kind of celebration that carries well into the new year.Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you drift through the lounge, meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with familiar faces. The setting offers plenty of room to mix, mingle, and settle into an atmosphere that even Gatsby might admire. Dress to impress with a modern take on Gatsby-inspired style or elevated casual evening wear—think polished, festive, and unmistakably you. Registration closes on January 9, 2026. >>> Register Now Due to limited capacity, this event is open only to current Members and Business Partners.
Hope Lodge
Our Community Services Team participated in a rewarding volunteer opportunity at The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. This event was a wonderful chance to give back to our community and support those in need. It was an exciting day to come together to make a difference and show our support for the residents. About the Organization:American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® communities provide free lodging for people with cancer who must travel when treatment is far from home. Our Hope Lodge volunteers support guests by helping with daily operations such as preparing meals, providing entertainment, planning special events and activities, and improving the facility and grounds. At some locations, volunteers help drive patients to and from treatment. View photos from the event:
Celebrating a More Sustainable Hanukkah
In her article, Lisa Gilbert emphasizes celebrating a sustainable Hanukkah by merging tradition with eco-friendly practices. She recounts the festival’s history and suggests alternatives like using beeswax candles, creating decorations from recycled materials, selecting local foods, and opting for thoughtful gifts. These adjustments promote a healthier planet while honoring Hanukkah’s meaningful roots.
November Mindfulness Minute
Our November Mindfulness Minute episode is titled: Thanksgiving Mindfulness – An Exercise in Gratitude. In this session, we are focused on practices that combine present-moment awareness with active appreciation to enhance well-being and deepen connections during the holiday season. The exercises focus on shifting attention from holiday hustle and bustle to recognizing and savoring the simple joys and abundance in one’s life. About the SeriesfitALANYC provides our members and business partners with holistic education and programming that focuses on your physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Mindfulness Minutes is a series of on-demand sessions where we explore all forms of mindfulness. Access the SeriesView all sessions on-demand.
Explore NY: Tenement Museum
For our last Explore New York event of the year, the DEIA Team and fitALANYC partnered to visit the iconic Tenement Museum. Attendees explored the homes of immigrant, migrant, and refugee families. This experience aimed to connect the past and present, fostering an inclusive American identity. The museum shared stories of working-class residents and their role in shaping the city through immersive tours of tenement spaces. After the tour, we enjoyed lunch at El Castillo de Jagua. View photos from the event:
New Issue: SustainALANYC
The latest issue of our award-winning newsletter SustainALANYC is now available. In our newsletter, we explore how every decision—whether personal or organizational—shapes economic, social, and environmental change, and how together we can make an impact. In this issue: The AI Paradox: Innovation vs. Environment: AI offers powerful climate tools but demands huge energy. We explore how to balance these demands and use AI for good, from optimizing grids to tackling waste, while making AI itself more sustainable. Digital Declutter: Uncover the hidden environmental impact of your overflowing inbox and cloud storage. Learn simple steps to clean up your digital life and reduce your carbon footprint. Smart Swaps for Savings: Five easy, budget-friendly sustainable changes you can make today that benefit your wallet and the planet. Climate Week NYC 2025: Power On! Key takeaways and energy innovations from the global summit, including discussions on grid resilience and sustainable growth. Water Tech Revolution: Breakthroughs in water conservation technology are changing how we manage this vital resource. Sustainability Calendar: Don’t miss important dates! Mark your calendars for key sustainability holidays and observances. Celebrating a More Sustainable Hanukkah: Blending festive traditions with eco-consciousness, this article provides otips for a sustainable Hanukkah, proving you can celebrate joyfully while being kind to the planet and your health. Recipe Corner: Each issue we continue to highlight sustainable recipes. View the full newsletter here.