Member Spotlight

Dina Ninfo

Personnel Counsel // State of Illinois CMS Office of Legal Services

Description of your practice:  
As Personnel Counsel at Central Management Services we represent and advise all State of Illinois Agencies in relation to employment matters.  We represent CMS and many other State of Illinois Agencies with matters pending before the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.  We further handle legal matters and policy changes concerning the Illinois Personnel Code and Illinois Personnel Rules.

Why are you a member of the WBAI?
I have been a member of the WBAI for over a decade, have been a Board Member for five years and currently have the privilege of serving as Treasurer.  I am fully committed to carrying forward the vision and influence of our groundbreaking founders.  Along the way I have formed an irreplaceable “girl gang” who I depend on both personally and professionally.

What do you think is the best way to empower women in law? 
Empowered women empower women.  I believe in the power of numbers and solidarity.  Giving back and connecting with other women lawyers is imperative to our impact on the legal community.  Promoting and living the principles of diversity and inclusion not only improves the position of all women lawyers but also benefits the legal community as a whole.

What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally/professionally ?
I’m looking forward to continuing to connect to other likeminded women.  It is my belief that as women we are in the midst of a climate that requires our strong advocacy in order to protect the rights that those before us vigorously fought for and to continue to move forward.  I am exciting for the WBAI to work in collaboration with other advocacy organizations to make our voices heard.

Tell us something interesting about you.
Recently, on October 18, 2018, it was my great honor to stand beside my WBAI Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Natalie Scruton Federle and Bridget Duignan and accept the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy’s Trailblazers award for our organizations contributions to the ratification of the ERA in Illinois.  We are inspired and energized for what is on the horizon.

Interested in being featured by WBAI? Members may submit an application to be considered for a feature.
Image