Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah

Rashida is the first Chief Diversity Officer at Wiley. She is responsible for translating the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies into pragmatic programming aligned with its business goals and growth strategies. In this capacity, Rashida serves as the firm’s thought leader in the marketplace, where she focuses on external diversity commitments and other calls to action. In addition, Rashida supports the firm’s pro bono efforts, designing its first corporate responsibility strategy, including its charitable giving targets and community service activities.

Rashida has two decades of professional client services experience advising Fortune 500 and public sector clients navigating business controversies and crises. She has successfully led corporate fraud and anti-corruption investigations, performed damages analysis, advised on regulatory compliance, and counseled on other related issues involving breach of contract. She has transactional experience in M&A due diligence and IP protection strategies, with specific expertise as a patent attorney. She is passionate about talent development, corporate social responsibility, and being present in the community. She has advised both law firm and senior legal executives in implementing innovative legal business operations and designing and measuring key DEI metrics as well as the strategic procurement of legal services.

Professional Experience

• Deloitte
  • Sales Executive (2019-2020)
  • Senior Manager, Forensics (2013-2019)
  • Manager, Capital Projects (2008-2013)
• Associate, Private Practice (Am Law 100 Law Firms) (2002-2008)
• Project Manager, Lucent Technologies (1998-2000)
• Project Engineer, Bovis Lend Lease (1997-1998)

Affiliations

• National Bar Association Commercial Law Section
  • Chair (2023-Present)
  • Executive Committee Member (2017-Present)
• Governance Committee Co-Chair and Board of Directors, Ridley Scholarship Program (2020-Present)
• Secretary, Board of Directors, Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth (2020-Present)

Recognitions

• Named one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Diversity & Inclusion Executives (2023)
• Jazz for Justice Alumni Awardee, Association of Black Law Students, Rutgers University School of Law, 2021
• Rising Star, Deloitte/Harlem YMCA bai Award, 2017
• Teamwork Award, Deloitte Quarterly Federal Civilian Award, 2014
• 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate, National Bar Association, 2013