• DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING | TALENT CATALYST | LAWYER & ADVISOR
  • We are…

THE MALAKIA GROUP supports organizations & professionals in transforming their businesses and career trajectories through diverse, equitable, inclusive and belonging initiatives focused on measurable returns and people-centric sustainable development.

  • Principal

Bendita Cynthia Malakia, ESQ., CPC, ELI-MP

Diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging 

Talent catalyst 

Lawyer & advisor

Ambitions for the Future-Now

Bendita loves the synergy and possibility that results from the uniqueness of all people utilizing their strengths to achieve excellence institutionally and individually.

People, Passion, Profession

Bendita is all about making sure ALL people thrive professionally. She focuses her intellect, passion, and experience on working to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into the DNA of our workplaces. She is a thought leader, coach, strategist, facilitator, initiative driver and advocate. Rooted in a legal background, Bendita has practiced finance law at two global, renowned financial institutions and a large law firm. She serves as President-Elect of the National LGBTQ+ Bar, on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, on the editorial board and as a regular columnist for the innovation legal journal Modern Lawyer, and on the executive committees of many formal and informal networking organizations for intersectional people of color.

Bendita has won numerous awards and commendations for her contributions as an advocate, including two commendations from the Financial Times for innovative racial justice initiatives and as a chief diversity officer in 2020 and 2021 respectively, organizational innovation awards for allyship engagement and building community through diversity in 2017 and 2020 respectively, Rising Star awards for project finance law and for general excellence in law, and designated to the Wall of Distinction of Cicero-North Syracuse High School in 2022.

Bendita is a proud alumna of Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Barnard College of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

  • Our works…

Thought Leadership

We seek to understand, partner, develop, contribute to and increase diversity, equity and inclusion competencies, outcomes and as a discipline.

Speaking

Articles & Press

Testimonials

Bendita is the first person I go to when planning any career move. In 2012-2013, Bendita spent months advising and guiding me and ultimately helped me to make a difficult decision to leave my former firm. Because of her advice and guidance, I joined a new one that was a much better fit for me. I’m now a partner at an AMLaw 100 firm and will always be grateful to Bendita for her unconditional help and coaching.
-Rabeha K
Malakia Movement LLC has been extremely instrumental in my preparation for a career transition. I was given useful tips on how to navigate the ever-changing dynamics of obtaining gainful employment. I was also provided with useful courses of action I could use immediately in my search. Bendita Malakia provided one on one support for personal growth and resume building. She provides timely feedback and great concepts in presenting your best self. If you are seeking growth exponentially on a professional and personal level, Malakia Movement LLC delivers!
-Jennifer C
Bendita Malakia’s assistance with my resume and cover letter helped me to secure jobs on two separate occasions (once with a law firm and once with the government). She took the time to provide detailed, line-by-line feedback, asking the right questions to make sure the final products were accurate but also detailed and reflective of my experiences. The result was a polished product that made me shine and that I was proud to submit. Working with her also increased my confidence which resulted in interviews I felt good about and that ultimately resulted in job offers.
-Sairah S
Ms. Malakia was incredibly prompt, precise and helpful. She responded to my emails very quickly and throughout the day, and her feedback was both personalized and helpful. I would certainly recommend her, especially if you feel shaky about your career services department.
-Anthony T
I was uncertain about investing in an executive coach but I cannot thank you enough. This is exactly what I needed and right on time! Thank you!
-Jay H
Bendita Malakia was professional, patient, courteous, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. I cannot think of anything that could have gone better—she exceeded my expectations and despite my years of experience as a senior public health expert I learned from her.
-Karen B
Bendita’s coaching is dynamic and authentic!
-Senior associate at Top 10 Law Firm
Bendita’s coaching is “transformative” and moved me to fully embrace my leadership potential and direct change.
-Deputy general counsel for a $250M+ Revenue Energy Company
Bendita’s coaching provides a shift that is truly life changing.
-Independent middle school principal
Bendita’s large law firm and in-house counsel experience is instrumental in her ability to fully understand the diversity and inclusion challenges that legal organizations face.
-Chief Diversity Partner of an AmLaw 100 Firm
Bendita truly made a major impact on me both personally and as a job applicant. I appreciate it more than you know!! … I thank her for being so supportive and encouraging–she never let me get away with criticizing myself or letting things get to me too much, which I needed from someone much more than I realized. I will undoubtedly use the things she taught me moving forward–frankly, she taught so much more about myself as a person than I anticipated, and I’m so grateful for that!
-Caitlin C

Testimonials

Bendita is the first person I go to when planning any career move. In 2012-2013, Bendita spent months advising and guiding me and ultimately helped me to make a difficult decision to leave my former firm. Because of her advice and guidance, I joined a new one that was a much better fit for me. I’m now a partner at an AMLaw 100 firm and will always be grateful to Bendita for her unconditional help and coaching.

-Rabeha K

Malakia Movement LLC has been extremely instrumental in my preparation for a career transition. I was given useful tips on how to navigate the ever-changing dynamics of obtaining gainful employment. I was also provided with useful courses of action I could use immediately in my search. Bendita Malakia provided one on one support for personal growth and resume building. She provides timely feedback and great concepts in presenting your best self. If you are seeking growth exponentially on a professional and personal level, Malakia Movement LLC delivers!

-Jennifer C

Bendita Malakia’s assistance with my resume and cover letter helped me to secure jobs on two separate occasions (once with a law firm and once with the government). She took the time to provide detailed, line-by-line feedback, asking the right questions to make sure the final products were accurate but also detailed and reflective of my experiences. The result was a polished product that made me shine and that I was proud to submit. Working with her also increased my confidence which resulted in interviews I felt good about and that ultimately resulted in job offers.

-Sairah S

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