Patrick Orciani

Patrick Orciani currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Legal Aid DC. Prior to starting his role, Patrick also worked in the legal services world as the Director of DEI for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. Before that, Patrick worked in the corporate sector for nearly 20 years.

As a Washington, DC born and Maryland raised resident, Patrick always had a passion for diversity. Being adopted into a family with an Italian father and Black mother, Patrick would soon learn the importance of understanding the different life experiences of two races. After entering the workforce after high school, Patrick would later go on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business Communications in 2013 which opened more opportunities in his career.

Patrick understands the importance of DEI work which in today’s current climate can often mean having uncomfortable conversations and challenging the norms which have consistently left out marginalized communities. With a love of journalism and traveling, Patrick loves talking about current events, politics and traveling the world to see and experience the lives of many cultures. Being an out of the box thinker with a contagious over the top personality, Patrick loves celebrating those around him and ensuring they are comfortable being their authentic selves wherever they show up!