Fenimore Fisher, who in 2017 became the first vice provost for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at Johns Hopkins University, is leaving July 12 to advance recruitment, retention, development and promotion of diverse talent at DLA Piper LLP.
Fenimore FisherDLA Piper is one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world, with offices in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
“The decision to leave Hopkins was one of the more difficult choices I’ve ever had to make,” said Fisher. “I did not contemplate that I’d ever have an opportunity to impact the legal profession, never working as a practicing attorney. To now lead the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for one of the world’s leading firms is both exhilarating and intimidating. However, I take comfort in knowing that my experiences here have well prepared me for this next chapter of my life.”
Fisher, who has a law degree from Ohio Northern University and labor mediation certification from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, has served as JHU’s primary steward of its Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion, a comprehensive plan that gives an overview of the university’s ongoing diversity goals and efforts. He oversaw the release of two annual diversity and inclusion progress reports and the school’s second Report on Faculty Composition.
Fisher has been a strategic partner to JHU’s schools and divisions in driving diversity and inclusion initiatives – focusing on staff climate – and established the Knowledge Share Group in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Fisher was deputy commissioner, chief diversity officer and equal employment opportunity officer for New York mayors Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. A Louisiana native, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Louisiana State University.
JHU provost Dr. Sunil Kumar wished Fisher well, saying his “devotion to his work, his collaborative nature and his commitment to transparency have helped Johns Hopkins make great strides toward our shared goals to achieve greater diversity in our community, improve opportunities for people of all backgrounds and foster a climate of inclusivity and respect.”
