As one of Nelson Mullins' first Diversity Partners, Melissa Foster Bird has hands-on experience with fostering diversity and inclusion in the evolving world of law. Foster Bird will speak on this and more at the 2020 Women in Philanthropy and Leadership (WIPL) Conference's Diversity Panel in Myrtle Beach on Feb. 11.

Foster Bird is among a group of women trailblazers who serve as some of the first diversity officers in their companies, including Terrez Marriott Thompson, vice president of global supplier diversity at Coca-Cola; Atiya Stokes-Brown, vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Coastal Carolina University; and Victoria Russell, chief of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Papa John's. The conference doubles as a Celebration of Inspiring Women, recognizing visionaries in various disciplines who have made an impact in South Carolina and beyond.

As a Diversity Partner, Foster Bird leads the efforts to retain, recruit, and promote diverse or female lawyers. She has served as lead trial counsel in more than 35 trials in state and federal courts, focusing especially in the pharmaceutical, medical device, transportation, and chemical industries. Practicing with Nelson Mullins for over 10 years, Foster Bird has regularly championed and spoken on issues of diversity and inclusion within and outside of the firm.