“And blame postmodern things I can’t relate / Like summer camp in coastal states / Like alcohol and coffee beans / Dance floors and magazines / I think it’s safe to say I’ve only got myself to blame.” — The Format
This week, I had the opportunity to catch up with Helen Wan — an author, lawyer, and speaker on DEI and women in the workplace.
Wan is a graduate of Amherst College and The University of Virginia School of Law. Wan’s novel, “The Partner Track,” follows idealistic young lawyer Ingrid (played in the series by Arden Cho) as she competes to climb the partner track at a New York law firm, premiered as an original Netflix series last month.
I’ve covered the lack of diversity in the media time and time again (see here, here, and here), so I won’t digress on how critical representation is to our industry specifically and society as a whole.
Wan’s story from the launch of her book to the landing of an original Netflix series is a testament to her hard work, grit, and the realization of dreaming big. It was incredible to learn about the rocket ship and roller coaster (rocket-coaster) trajectory of “The Partnership Track” as well as the trials and tribulations she’s faced throughout her career.
After speaking with Wan, I couldn’t help but want to write my own story. And I believe you will too after hearing more about her journey of bringing her novel to our television screens.
FOOTNOTE 4 