Thompson Coburn Chief Diversity and Attorney Development Officer Norma Jackson has been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a 2025 Champion for Diversity & Inclusion. This award celebrates individuals, non-profits, and companies that actively promote diversity across various areas, including race, sexual orientation, and disability.
According to the publication, “The focus of this annual program is to highlight those who, through their work, are truly championing the cause of making St. Louis a more inclusive place to live, work and play.”
In her profile feature, Norma reflected on some of the most significant challenges she faces in her advocacy for DEI: “One of the greatest challenges I face in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion is navigating an external climate where DEI is increasingly misunderstood, questioned, or even labeled as taboo. In some organizations, the term itself has become polarizing, making it more difficult to engage in open, productive conversations about equity and belonging,” she shared.
Looking ahead, Norma expressed her aspirations for the next phase of her DEI work: “My focus moving forward is to expand our efforts in intergroup dialogue and cultural competency— continuing to equip our team members with the tools to navigate difference with empathy and confidence. At a time when diversity is increasingly under scrutiny, my goal is to foster a culture where inclusion is not only safeguarded but actively championed.”
Norma was honored alongside 13 other individuals at a celebratory luncheon held on Thursday, September 4.
Read the full profile here.
