In this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover discusses diversity and inclusion with colleague and Ice Miller Practice Group Director LaTonya Ellis and Walker & Dunlop Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Jason Golub. The guests discuss the topics of diversity and inclusion—how those concepts are similar and how they are different—and why more and more real estate companies are hiring diversity and inclusion leaders and placing a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion for business, moral, ethical and innovation propositions.

But first, Phil introduces special guest Matt Miller, Ice Miller partner and chair of the Firm’s Racial Justice Task Force. As Matt details, the Task Force is really expanding efforts beyond diversity and inclusion, which is traditionally internal, to be the outward face of the Firm as it channels Ice Miller’s highly motivated and highly skilled human resources to address issues of racial injustice in the law and in our communities.

Matthew J. Miller is a partner in Ice Miller’s Municipal Finance Group. Matt has served as bond counsel, disclosure counsel and underwriter’s counsel on over 100 financings, including various short-term and long-term general obligation financings, revenue financings, working cash financings, refunding transactions and special obligation financings issued by states, large municipalities and transit systems, counties, villages, school districts and other special districts. Matt has specific experience in public transportation and airport-related financings.

LaTonya Ellis, Ice Miller Practice Group Director

LaTonya Ellis serves as a practice group director in Ice Miller’s Real Estate and Municipal Finance Practice Groups. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of administration, management and day-to-day business operations for the Groups.

In her role, LaTonya works closely with Firm leadership to design and implement strategic plans and develop innovative approaches to business operations and development to help execute the Groups’ business plans. LaTonya also is responsible for implementation of synergies, efficiencies and best practices across the practice groups.

Jason Golub, Walker & Dunlop Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Jason Golub joined Walker & Dunlop in September 2020 as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In this new role, Mr. Golub is responsible for accelerating and strengthening the company’s commitment to DE&I. Mr. Golub will develop and execute a strategy that further incorporates a diversity lens into the firm's culture, which includes changes to how the firm innovates, serves clients, helps communities, and supports employees.

He is responsible for improving Walker & Dunlop’s existing DE&I strategies and initiatives, as well as helping to foster an environment in which diversity and inclusion are a central and driving force across the firm. As part of his role, Mr. Golub will focus on diverse leadership development, retention strategy, supplier diversity, multicultural talent acquisition, and corporate initiatives that drive inclusion and create an equitable environment for all employees. As Vice President, he also advises Walker & Dunlop’s Council for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, supports and expands the company’s employee resource groups (including the Women of Walker & Dunlop and the Minority Employees Resource Group for Empowerment / Engagement / Elevation), and helps strengthen the company’s external DE&I strategy through organizational partnerships and thought leadership.

Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. Golub was a senior leader at GE legal, where he focused on high-risk investigations, workplace culture and training, and compliance, while also serving as a senior member of the company's Diversity & Inclusion Council for five years. Earlier this year, he was appointed the chair of the Police Reform and Re-imagination Task Force in Saratoga Springs, NY, a Governor Cuomo-mandated task force aimed at police reform and reducing racial inequality.

Golub holds a Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College and a juris doctor from Columbia University, School of Law, where he focused on human rights law.

To learn more, visit https://www.walkerdunlop.com/power-people/diversity/.

To learn more about Ice Miller’s Racial Justice Task Force, visit https://www.icemiller.com/racial-justice-task-force/. To learn more about Ice Miller’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts, visit https://www.icemiller.com/firm/diversity-information/.