The Colors of Influence podcast is honored to feature Michael Tom J.D., founder and chief consultant of Portland-based Northwest Workplace Investigations. Mike has more than 25 years of experience in employment law, civil rights investigations, litigation, affirmative action planning, and diversity and inclusion leadership.
Full disclosure: I worked with Mike during my time as Diversity Communications Manager for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Mike served as Director of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, co-leading the University's Diversity Advisory Council and the Physical Access Committee that focused on supporting communities of disability. He successfully led OHSU's AAEO team from 2011 through 2016, supervising investigations into all aspects of employment law and civil rights concerns.
For more than a decade, Michael litigated on behalf of and advised clients as a private practice attorney, licensed in both Oregon and Washington. He earned his J.D. and certificate of Alternative Dispute Resolution from Willamette University and his B.A. from the University of Washington.
Our conversation focused on Mike's foray into running his own business, as well as his reflections on how he continues to further his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through conducting workplace investigations that focus on fairness and neutrality.
Listen to a short clip where Mike talks about potential workplace issues that may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic:
Listen to the full episode below. Colors of Influence is also available on Stitcher, Spotify, Google, Apple, iHeartRadio or anywhere you get your podcast.