Harness IP Principal Joel Samuels recently participated in the Penn State Dickinson Law Profiles in Leadership Series podcast. Titled “Leadership in Diversity,” the episode features Samuels alongside Nichole M. Velasquez, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows Program director. This was particularly significant as Samuels was honored with the LCLD’s inaugural Atlas Award for his outstanding dedication to and active participation in the 2023 Fellows Program.
Led by Dean Danielle Conway and Associate Dean Daryl Lim, the conversation delved into Samuels’ and Velazquez’s perspectives on life, leadership, and diversity within the legal field. Moreover, the participants explored the pivotal role of the LCLD Fellows Program in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering insights into its progression and significant impact on mid-career professionals.
The discussion also emphasized the importance of adaptive leadership in the legal industry, highlighting the necessity for continuous learning and responsiveness to change. The group discussed effective leadership, particularly during difficult times, and strategies for cultivating environments conducive to leadership development and adaptation.
“Leadership does not have to be hard,” Samuels says. “It can be as simple as keeping the door open, keeping the ladder down, and letting people come to you and saying, ‘Hey, who wants an opportunity?’ Just because you made it doesn’t mean you have to make other people go through the same hard path as you.”
The entire podcast episode can be viewed on YouTube here.