Partnering with organizations to assess and address sexual misconduct

vestry laight

At Vestry Laight, we have been reckoning with culture and inclusion and the aftermath of sexual misconduct for decades — long before these issues dominated national headlines. Vestry Laight’s partners have experience as trauma-informed investigators, in-house corporate litigators, prosecutors, inclusion strategy consultants, gender equity and human rights advocates and crisis management advisors. Our expertise enables us to offer pragmatic solutions for rebuilding trust following a crisis and serve as independent monitors to ensure meaningful changes are made in the aftermath of litigation. We help public and private organizations respond to and resolve workplace misconduct and gender-related issues before they escalate.

what we do

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Workplace and Organizational Assessments

Organizational Culture Change and Transformation

Sexual Misconduct Investigations

Consulting Expert in Litigation

External Oversight and Monitorship

Communications Strategy

Board Advisory

Executive Coaching

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Why We are Different

We are experts in improving institutional response to sexual misconduct and strengthening culture.

We have established credibility
with survivors and advocates.

We are trusted advisors to leading organizations on workplace issues.

Vestry Laight is distinctive because we have extensive experience conducting sexual misconduct investigations in high-pressure situations and have credibility derived from a history of developing solutions to improve treatment of victims in many settings. We have been trusted advisors to leading organizations on complex diversity and inclusion challenges as well as litigation matters. Our experience cuts across the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Who We Are

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Sara Darehshori

PRINCIPAL

Darehshori is an expert in highly sensitive sexual abuse investigations. Darehshori has decades of experience conducting difficult investigations in highly-charged situations where victims and witnesses are reluctant to talk. She has developed effective strategies to improve response to sexual misconduct and prevent abuse in a variety of contexts, including the US military and police departments. She has worked with hundreds of survivors from rape victims in Rwanda and Bosnia, to service members, veterans, college students, and undocumented immigrants in the US.

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Brande Stellings

PRINCIPAL

An expert on workplace inclusion and women’s advancement, Stellings combines her experience as a litigator, diversity and inclusion consultant and lifelong advocate for women’s equity to help build organizations that work for everybody. She conducts culture assessments, serves as a monitor, acts as a litigation consulting expert and provides executive coaching. Stellings has held senior roles in both the private and public sectors at Catalyst, NBC and Cravath, Swaine & Moore. She previously led the consulting department at Catalyst, partnering with CEOs, senior executives and board directors of leading companies to advance women and promote inclusion in the workplace and the boardroom.

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Silda Palerm

PRINCIPAL

Palerm is a seasoned corporate litigator and a leading advocate for women. She was Head of Litigation at Warner Music Group for more than a decade and has been the Chair of New York City Commission on Gender Equity for the last eight years. Palerm was also the Legal Director of Legal Momentum. She has been on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of New York City, and of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. She was Chair of the Board of Directors of Violence Intervention Program and has been on the Board of Directors of The New York Women’s Foundation, John Jay College Foundation, MFY Legal Services, and the Puerto Rican Women’s Foundation. Her experience in the corporate world combined with her work on behalf of women gives her unique insight into handling workplace investigations.

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Maureen Garrity

PRINCIPAL

Maureen Garrity is an award-winning crisis communications and public affairs specialist who has counseled Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, private educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Garrity brings media, corporate, government affairs and agency experience. She has a track record of developing successful strategic internal and external communications and helping leaders communicate in times of crisis. Garrity’s crisis skills helped overturn a federal policy that discriminated against children in the allocation of adult donor lungs.

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news

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Feb 12, 2025

Celebrating Silda Palerm’s Decade of Leadership for NYC’s Women and Girls

After 10 years of service, Silda Palerm stepped down from New York City’s Commission on Gender Equity. Vestry Laight congratulates Silda on her efforts — including serving as Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity — to make NYC a more equitable place for women and girls. Although her time on the Commission has come to an end, Silda’s dedication to advancing opportunities and protections for women and girls everywhere remains steadfast. There is still much work to be done.

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Feb 12, 2025

Dec 13, 2024

Vestry Laight Issues Report on Athlete Safety for United States Biathlon

Following a targeted assessment of policies and perceptions around safety measures, Vestry Laight issued a report outlining recommendations for the US Biathlon Association to enhance the safety of athletes who travel internationally and strengthen team culture. Vestry Laight appreciates USBA’s willingness to undergo an external review and its commitment to implementing reforms. We are also grateful to the members of biathlon community who participated in the investigation and shared their perspective with us.

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Dec 13, 2024

Dec 11, 2024

Brande Stellings Co-Chairs PLI's Supporting Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Workplace 2024

On November 22, 2024, Brande Stellings co-chaired the Practising Law Institute’s 2024 program on Supporting Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Workplace, along with her co-chair, Sheila Boston. The program included panels on LGBTQ+ and religious inclusion, exploring legal guidance and practical strategies to foster an inclusive work environment. Brande moderated the panel on LGBTQ+ inclusion, which featured Michael Chamberlain, Katrina Feldkamp, Suzanne Goldberg and Janice Grubin.

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Dec 11, 2024