EXPERTISE
ALISON AKANT, Principal
Alison Akant supports the work of diversity professionals by reporting on news, trends, and thought leadership, and by conducting research and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Projects
See a list of Alison's current and recent projects.
Background and Qualifications
Ms. Akant brings to the field of diversity and inclusion a life-long commitment to women’s issues, diversity, and cross-cultural understanding, excellent personal, public speaking, and written communication skills, and over ten years of practice as an attorney.
Ms. Akant graduated from Wellesley College in 1977 and from Catholic University School of Law in 1981. She practiced with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Bowman, Conner, Touhey & Thornton before moving to New York and joining the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. As an Assistant D.A, she conducted complex litigation and helped to supervise a bureau of junior attorneys. Ms. Akant left the D.A.’s office in 1989 with the title of Deputy Bureau Chief.
Following her career in the D.A.’s office, Ms. Akant practiced law with the New York firm of Dogan and Associates. She specialized in helping small to mid-size foreign companies raise capital and establish business presence in the U.S. While at Dogan & Associates, she worked with Columbia University’s Harriman Institute to develop the first Black Sea Emerging Markets Conference, held in New York in 1992.
Ms. Akant serves as President of the US Foundation for the United World College of the Atlantic. She helps recruit diverse young women to Wellesley College. She lives in New York with her husband, Adnan, and their three children.
