Power and Silence: How #MeToo Is Changing the American Workplace

When #MeToo began taking over Twitter feeds in October of 2017, some people called it a "moment." Months later, it's clear that it's more than that. Join us as we discuss the power dynamics that have allowed harassment to go on for decades without any accountability and what we can do now to make life and work safer for everyone.

Panelists

Mariann Hyland is an assistant vice provost in the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs at the University of Oregon where she focuses on faculty labor and employee relations, policy development, and advancing institutional priorities related to faculty recruitment, retention and support. Mariann has more than 18 years of experience in institution-wide management, strategic planning, and policy direction at educational and regulatory institutions. Prior to her position at UO, Mariann was the Oregon State Bar’s director of diversity & inclusion, the director of affirmative action & equal opportunity at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and in-house legal counsel and director of public safety, risk management, and contracts at Chemeketa Community College.

Dana L. Sullivan represents individuals in employment and civil rights litigation, regularly tries discrimination cases in both federal and state court, advises executives in the negotiation of employment contracts or separation agreements, and conducts workplace investigations. Dana has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers has listed her among the top 25 women lawyers in Oregon and among Oregon’s top 50 lawyers. She is a past president of both the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and the Multnomah Bar Association. She has also been selected as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), which recognizes experienced trial attorneys who have demonstrated high personal character and a reputation for professionalism.

Lisa LeSage is the Executive Director of Immigration Counseling Service (ICS), Oregon’s oldest and only independent nonprofit law firm serving immigrants, unaccompanied minors, and trafficking victims since 1978.  Prior to joining ICS in August 2017, she spent 5 years in the Middle East as Morocco Country Director and Senior Legal Advisor in Istanbul, Turkey for the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, working on human rights, rule of law and refugee issues. She has served on a number of nonprofit boards and organizations in governance capacities, including as one of the co-founders of the Oregon State Bar Diversity Section, member of the OSB Board of Governors, Chair of the Oregon Law Foundation, and member of the Oregon Women Lawyers executive committee.

Moderator

Laural Porter is an award-winning journalist with the KGW Media Group. She can be seen weeknights on “KGW News at 6:00” with Tracy Barry and Joe Donlon. She co-anchors “KGW News at 11” with Joe Donlon, and at 10:00 p.m. on “KGW News at 10 on Portland's CW.” She also hosts KGW's weekly current affairs program, "Straight Talk.”

Laural is a six-time northwest regional Emmy award winner, recognized for her storytelling and as host and moderator of “Straight Talk.” She’s earned a regional Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting, and the prestigious national Edward R. Murrow award, also for feature reporting.

Laural has earned numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalism, Associated Press, and Oregon Association of Broadcasters, as well as many awards during her reporting and anchoring years in Idaho.

Her work includes interviewing President Obama and moderating an interfaith panel discussion with His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.

Laural is active in the community, championing the fight against breast cancer and volunteering for the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund.