Sheila Marie Orfano

Sheila Marie Orfano was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. She graduated from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2016 with a Concentration in Creative Writing and Religious Studies. After graduating, she worked for five years at the nonprofit TED Conferences in New York City, where she started as an intern before moving into an assistant position and, most recently, a writer and producer role where she managed special projects for the Head of TED and executive leadership team.

At Penn Law, in addition to being an Equity & Inclusion Fellow she is an associate editor of the Law Review and on the board of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and the Older, Wiser Law Students organization. She is also a member of the Wharton McNulty Nonprofit Board Fellowship and has been involved in the Custody and Support Assistance student pro bono project. Aside from pursuing a career in employment law, she loves to care for her senior Chihuahua and support local ice cream shops.

As an Equity & Inclusion Fellow, Sheila is hoping to encourage productive conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion that help create a more equitable environment within the law school and prepare students to become legal professionals that acknowledge, celebrate, and promote the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work and lives. She also hopes to create understanding and appreciation of the rich ethnic diversity within larger racial groups.