Supporting people has always been at the center of Danielle Jurema Lederman’s work. As a partner in Bowditch’s Employment Practice Area, Danielle advises employers on nearly every stage of the employment relationship, from hiring and workplace policies to discrimination claims and reductions in force. She also represents employers in mediation, arbitration, litigation, and investigations involving state and federal agencies.
That work has given her a close view of the challenges that affect people inside and outside the workplace. It also shapes the perspective she brings to Spectrum Health Systems’ Board of Trustees.
Building a Career Around People and Prevention
Danielle has practiced employment law throughout her career, initially representing employees and then transitioning to exclusively representing employers.
Danielle has found that representing employers allows her to intervene in workplace disputes earlier – giving her the opportunity to address problems before they escalate. Through day-to-day counseling, policy guidance and employee and supervisor training, she helps organizations develop solutions that support their business needs and their workforce.
Her practice now combines counseling, litigation, and workplace training. Danielle advises clients on matters including employee classification, wage and hour laws, workplace discrimination and harassment, accommodations, leave requirements, and pay transparency. She also helps organizations strengthen their policies and practices to reduce risk before a dispute occurs.
That preventive approach closely aligns with how Danielle views her role with Spectrum.
Connecting Professional Experience With Spectrum’s Mission
Danielle first became familiar with Spectrum through Bowditch, which has worked with the organization for many years. As she got to know Spectrum and its leadership, she was struck by the organization’s commitment to its employees and clients.
Danielle believes addiction and recovery touch virtually every community. Like many people, she has seen their effects within her own network and understands how broadly addiction can affect individuals and families.
While employment law and addiction treatment may seem like very different fields, Danielle recognizes that both treatment and employment are important pillars in the path towards a successful recovery.
That connection allows her to bring her professional experience to Spectrum in a way that supports the organization’s broader mission. By contributing expertise in employment practices, risk management, compliance, and governance, Danielle hopes to help Spectrum maintain a strong workforce while keeping its resources focused on providing care.
Supporting Employees and Communities
One aspect of Spectrum that stands out to Danielle is its emphasis on creating a supportive workplace culture. She points to the organization’s efforts to promote employees internally and give team members opportunities to support causes that matter to them. Spectrum also employs people with lived experience of addiction and recovery, including individuals who have moved from receiving services to building careers within the organization.
She’s equally encouraged by Spectrum’s approach to the communities it serves. Addiction treatment programs can sometimes face resistance when opening in new areas because of longstanding stigma and misconceptions surrounding substance use disorders.
She shared, “They’ve done a really good job of navigating that proactively and staying in touch with communities, making them feel part of the underlying mission.”
Making a Lasting Impact
As Spectrum continues to grow, Danielle’s most excited by the organization’s willingness to keep looking for new ways to serve people.
Whether Spectrum is partnering with other nonprofit organizations, supporting its workforce, helping clients pursue employment, or working to reduce stigma, Danielle sees an organization consistently looking for opportunities to strengthen its impact.
For her, serving on the board offers an opportunity to contribute her own expertise to that work while supporting an organization whose values she shares.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction or a substance use disorder, call Spectrum Health Systems today at 1-877-MyRehab.
