Ms. JD Announces Danielle Mikaelian as Limitless Leadership Award Recipient
Cambridge, US, January 30th, 2025, Chainwire
Ms. JD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in the legal profession. Founded in 2006, it serves as a national platform that provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities for women law students, attorneys, and aspiring legal professionals. Ms. JD works to promote gender equity in the legal field through initiatives such as scholarships, leadership development programs, and community-building events. The organization also recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions that demonstrate a commitment to empowering women in law through its annual awards.
Danielle Mikaelian has been selected as the only law student nationwide to receive the Ms. JD Limitless Leadership Award, a prestigious honor recognizing women and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovative gender equity initiatives, and a deep commitment to empowering future generations of women lawyers.
Danielle Mikaelian has been advancing gender equality for years, working to uplift women in the legal profession. At Columbia, she served on the board of the Columbia Women in Law and Politics Organization. She also founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of the first journal dedicated to spotlighting women’s experiences in the legal profession called the Columbia Women in Law and Politics Journal. In this role, Danielle Mikaelian created editorial/style guidelines, recruited multiple editors, and oversaw submission efforts. Danielle also worked as a United Nations Millennium Fellow. Through this, she created a project called the Wonder Woman Project that spotlighted the barriers women face on a worldwide level. She is also currently a 2024-2025 Ms. JD Fellow.
At Harvard, Danielle Mikaelian has served on the Harvard Women’s Law Association Mentorship Committee. She has spoken to numerous organizations across the country like UCLA LeGal that specifically help female undergraduate students navigate the law school admissions process.
One of the individuals who nominated Danielle for the award reiterated: “Danielle Mikaelian is the most passionate, hardworking, and resilient person that I know. No one implements ideas into reality like Danielle does. Throughout college, I witnessed Danielle act as a transformative leader that drives positive change for the communities she cares about. She created several new initiatives for Columbia while serving on the boards of over ten student organizations. Danielle Mikaelian cares deeply about the wellbeing of her peers and even served as Wellness Director for Columbia’s many undergraduate and graduate schools, overseeing mental health and wellness programming. She was named Columbia’s 2021 Student of the Year in light of her campus contributions and also received numerous other accolades as a result of her impact on campus life.”
As the first law student in her extended family, this recognition holds special significance for Danielle Mikaelian. “This milestone is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and the belief that no dream is too big when you are surrounded by support and encouragement,” she shared.
The award places Danielle Mikaelian among an inspiring group of recipients, including the Chief Legal Officers of Lowe’s and eBay. Their collective leadership and dedication to gender equity highlight the transformative impact of fostering inclusion and mentorship in the legal profession.
“This recognition is not just a reflection of individual effort—it is a testament to the support, mentorship, and collaboration I’ve been fortunate to experience throughout my journey,” said Danielle Mikaelian. “To all those working to create opportunities and inspire the next generation of women leaders in law: this award belongs to you, too. Let’s continue striving for progress, breaking barriers, and lifting each other up.”
Ms. JD, a nationally recognized nonprofit, has long been committed to advancing gender equity in the legal field, providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for women in law.
For more information about the Ms. JD Limitless Leadership Award, users can visit https://msjdlimitlessgala.com/leadership-awards/
About Danielle Mikaelian
Danielle Mikaelian is a dedicated advocate for gender equity and leadership in the legal profession. As a law student, she is passionate about mentorship, inclusion, and empowering future generations of women in law.
At Harvard, Danielle Mikaelian has served on the executive boards of organizations like the Harvard Association for Law and Business, Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law, and the Armenian Law Students Association. She also works as a Legal Fellow for the Federal Reserve of Boston.
