TOP TO BOTTOM: Photo by WVU College of Law, Ohio Women’ s Bar Association, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, United Way of Delaware County and WVU College of Law.
McClure-Demers’ s journey has involved taking risks, having an open mind and being strategic, and it rooted in her the importance of fostering an environment where all are included and diversity is celebrated. As a practitioner, she has rendered legal advice and been involved with developing and implementing diversity and affirmative action policies, programs and trainings for many different clients in many industries. She served on the Nationwide law department’ s diversity and inclusion council and as Nationwide’ s relationship manager for Corporate Counsel Women of Color. She also recently concluded her term as president of the Ohio Women’ s Bar Association, during which a diversity and inclusion council was created that she helps lead.
In addition to these initiatives, McClure- Demers was a catalyst in launching the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity( LCLD) in West Virginia. LCLD was founded in 2009 based on a very simple ideal: the U. S. would be better served by a truly diverse legal profession, inclusive of all talent. To reach that goal, LCLD’ s founders committed to use their positions of influence to innovate and expand the pool of diverse legal talent in their organizations and in society. More than 250 law firms and corporations across the country are members.
“ I have been personally involved with LCLD for several years and have benefited from it, as has Nationwide,” she says.“ LCLD is making a real difference in moving the needle in the legal profession, and I truly believe LCLD and all it offers will positively advance the legal profession in West Virginia too. Additionally, as a member of the WVU Law visiting committee and the first WVU Law graduate to be an LCLD fellow, I feel duty-bound to make sure we have more fellows and beneficiaries of LCLD here in the Mountain State.”
On top of her bountiful career and endeavors to celebrate diversity, she has dedicated a portion of her life to investing in the development of others by mentoring aspiring and younger attorneys.
“ I am fortunate to have been the beneficiary of others’ investment in my development, so it is required to pay it back and forward in my book,” she says.“ It’ s critical for young lawyers to have people in which they can confide, gain perspective and overcome feelings of isolation. For me, it benefits both parties. It brings me great satisfaction to see others grow, and I learn a lot from the perspectives of new and younger professionals.”
A force and a trailblazer, McClure-Demers’ altruistic actions do not stop there. The proud Mountaineer has been involved with United Way, Girl Scouts, YWCA, Junior League, WVU Alumni Association and Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association in the various states in which she and her family have resided. Over the last 10 years, she has chaired Delaware County Ohio United Way’ s community impact council and the United Way board, and she helped found and chair the United Way’ s Women’ s Leadership Network.
“ Our United Way and Women’ s Leadership Network have focused on drug addiction and hunger problems, held baby showers for young single mothers, raised money for our first in-county domestic violence shelter, promoted human trafficking awareness and funded agencies that support the escape, treatment and reintegration of human trafficking survivors,” she says.“ Most recently, my husband and I were American Red Cross volunteers who, along with local fire fighters, installed fire alarms in homes in Columbus. It’ s humbling and gratifying while serving as a reminder that we can all make a difference one person and one day at a time if we so choose.”
Although her career and life have landed her in Columbus, McClure-Demers is still a Mountaineer through and through. That caring Mountaineer spirit and deep connection to the hills of West Virginia shines through in every aspect of her life.
“ I am a total product of West Virginia University and carry tremendous Mountaineer pride that extends from my family roots, education and every childhood memory,” she says.“ The people of West Virginia are truly among the most real, kind and hardworking that you will find anywhere in the country. Like most Mountaineers, I too promote the goodness of our wonderful state. The West Virginia flag flies high in Galena, Ohio, on Saturdays throughout the late summer and fall seasons.” •
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