Growing up as the daughter of immigrants in the Bay Area, a mecca of multiculturalism, Zaneta learned early on how to navigate and appreciate the differences in people’s backgrounds, identities and experiences. She brings this conscientiousness to her work, to help others resolve conflict and bridge gaps in their interactions with and understanding of each other.
Zaneta believes we cannot fix what we do not face. She takes pride in doing investigations and conflict resolution trainings. She sees this work as an integral part in helping people have hard conversations, reach uncomfortable self-realizations, show empathy and take accountability for their impact on others — work we should all do individually and as a society to bring about change.
Zaneta has conducted more than 80 investigations involving allegations of discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation and religion as well as allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, retaliation, bullying and other misconduct. More than 30 of her investigations have included allegations reported against high-level executives and elected officials.
Zaneta has also conducted climate assessments and served as an ombudsman to help organizations understand and address workplace concerns of their employees. Zaneta also speaks to other investigators about the impact of race in workplace investigations, to promote cultural competency in our profession. Finally, she conducts Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication training for workgroups.
In law school, Zaneta served on the Columbia Human Rights Law Review and interned with UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland. Before becoming an attorney investigator, she practiced business litigation for eight years, first with Baker & McKenzie’s New York Office and then with Bartko Zankel Bunzel & Miller after she returned to the Bay Area.
To relax and recenter, Zaneta cherishes drives along the California coast with her husband and their dog, exploring secluded beaches, enjoying fresh seafood and catching golden sunsets after a good game of backgammon.
Zaneta also finds joy sitting around her Dad’s dinner table with her talkative family and sharing good belly laughs with her girlfriends.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin
Columbia University School of Law, J.D.
University of California, Los Angeles; B.A., English
Investigations
Title IX
Trainings
Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Climate Surveys and Assessments
State Bar of California
State Bar of New York
AWI-CH
Amy and Vida will travel to the University of Cape Town in South Africa to conduct a three-day course in workplace investigations with a focus on sexual harassment investigations from May 18-20, 2022.
Take these precautions when interviewing nonnative English speakers to help ensure all participants’ voices are heard and accurately included in your findings.
Christina Ro-Connolly will co-present this online training during the upcoming CALPELRA Learn two-day program (May 24-25).
