Dr. Cassandra D. Caldwell is Akerman's Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, providing strategic leadership in advancing the firm's DEI efforts. An internationally renowned diversity and inclusion expert, she has more than 24 years of experience guiding corporate organizations and other major institutions to achieving tangible, sustainable results. She works closely with the firm's leadership to implement programming, initiatives, outreach, and external partnerships designed to propel recruitment, engagement, development, and retention, strengthening Akerman's foundational commitment to DEI.

Before joining Akerman, Dr. Caldwell served in various leadership roles for a number of companies, educational institutions, and government agencies. She has also held several academic appointments, instructing at the university level on an array of topics including leadership, diversity and inclusion, human resources, organizational theory and behavior, and research methods.

Dedicated to community service, Dr. Caldwell devotes her skills and time to serving in leadership positions in numerous nonprofit organizations, including establishing the Loaves and Fishes Fund that focuses on eliminating food insecurity for people and pets in Florida and North Carolina and the Triangle Area Next Generation of African American Philanthropists Fund.