Zaneta
Seidel

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 providing conflict resolution services. She sees this work as an integral part in helping people have difficult conversations, reach uncomfortable self-realizations, show empathy, and take accountability for the impact of their action on others — work we should all do individually and as a society to bring about change.

Experience

Zaneta has conducted more than 150 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. Her investigations often include allegations reported against high-level executives and elected officials.

Zaneta has also conducted climate assessments and served as an ombudsman to help organizations identify, understand and address workplace concerns of their employees. Zaneta also provides conflict resolution services, such as mediation, coaching, post-investigation strategies and recommendations, as well as Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication trainings, to help repair working relationships and enhance workplace culture. Zaneta has also created a multilayered conflict resolution program in which she provides innovative and tailored training, coaching, mediation, listening sessions, and recommendations for systemic changes to help organizations foster more inclusive, empathetic, accountable and collaborative workplace cultures.

Zaneta has served as the Co-Chair of Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the Association of Workplace Investigators, a professional membership association for attorneys, human resource professionals, private investigators, and many others who conduct, manage, or have a professional interest in workplace investigations. Zaneta also also speaks about race and cultural competency in workplace investigations, to promote equitable and conscientious investigative practices.

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.

Outside the Office

Zaneta enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and dog, especially on road trips exploring beaches along the California coast. She loves traveling to crystal clear blue waters for rest and rejuvenation, from Big Sur and June Lake to El Nido, Philippines and Kefalonia, Greece. Zaneta cherishes heartfelt conversations and creating core memories with her family and girlfriends.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin