The Impact of a Young Professional: Reflections from an Executive Champion at Fried Frank

“Lubna’s contributions supporting key HR initiatives to collaborating on projects have enhanced our firm’s culture and operations.”

-Lori Todd, Director of HR Business Services, Fried Frank

Introduction

Lubna Sheri, Genesys Works NYC Class of 2021, and Lori Todd, Director of HR Business Services, have built a mutually beneficial partnership over four years of working together at Fried Frank since 2020. This long-term partnership has recently resulted in Lubna launching her fulltime career at Fried Frank as an HR Business Services Assistant!

Fried Frank is a prominent global law firm with its headquarters in New York City. The firm is also one of Genesys Works NYC’s (GWNYC) three founding corporate partners, opening doors to transformative work experiences since GWNYC’s launch in 2019.

Lori Todd shares an insightful reflection on Lubna’s exceptional contributions at Fried Frank as an intern, the strong relationship they have built, and Genesys Works’ impact.

Reflection from Lori Todd, Director of Business HR Services at Fried Frank

Lubna has been an integral part of our team at Fried Frank over the past 4.5 years. She began her journey with us as a high school senior through the Genesys Works program. From the very beginning, she exhibited a level of professionalism, curiosity, and drive that is truly exceptional. Over the last three and a half years, while pursuing her college degree, Lubna has continued to impress us as she balanced her academic commitments with her role in our HR team, demonstrating remarkable dedication and growth.

In recognition of Lubna’s contributions and hard work, we were excited to extend an offer of employment for our HR Business Services Assistant position in our New York office.

Lubna has taken on a variety of roles during her time at Fried Frank, showcasing her versatility and dedication. She has worked extensively in Human Capital Management (HCM), supporting recruitment, onboarding, and operations, while also gaining experience in other departments when there was a need. She is also the Co-Chair of the HCM TAG Committee which stands for Take Action Group and focuses on team building and professional development initiatives for the department. Additionally, this past summer she participated in the Attorney Summer Associate training program as a summer legal intern, demonstrating her growing interest in pursuing a law degree. In February, she began an exciting new role as a Real Estate Paralegal Intern, which we are all so proud of her for pursuing. She concluded that in May.

Lubna’s contributions supporting key HR initiatives to collaborating on projects have enhanced our firm’s culture and operations. Her positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges have been a source of inspiration to those around her, and her work has left a lasting impression on the team. Her ability to adapt, learn, and contribute meaningfully has made her a valued member of our team.

On a personal level, it has been a privilege to work alongside Lubna and witness her growth over the years. Our relationship has evolved from mentor and mentee to one of mutual respect and admiration. I’ve always aimed to provide her with guidance, support, and opportunities to help her achieve her goals, but the truth is, she has taught me just as much about resilience, curiosity, and determination. Seeing her confidence grow and her skills develop has been incredibly fulfilling and inspiring.

We couldn’t be prouder of Lubna’s achievements. Her journey is a testament to her hard work and the power of programs like Genesys Works that create opportunities for talented individuals to thrive. We are honored to be part of her journey. She holds a special place in our team’s heart, and I am confident she will continue to achieve great things in the years to come.

About Genesys Works NYC

Genesys Works’ mission is to provide pathways to career success for high school students through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Students enter as rising high school seniors at the beginning of our program model, which consists of: Summer Training, Year-Long Paid Internships, College and Career Coaching, and Alumni Support. Reach out to info.nyc@genesysworks.org to learn more.