Wanji arrived on campus in the fall of 1983, the 10th year of coeducation at Middlesex. After earning both her B.A. and J.D. at Howard University, she was associate counsel at Lockheed Martin IMS Corporation and then practiced law at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (formerly Shaw Pittman LLP). Joining American Express in 2002, she became their managing counsel in the general counsel’s office, leading a team that provided global legal support on a variety of business issues. With a strong commitment to supporting the community, she cofounded American Express’ pro bono program and was the recipient of the Lawyer’s Alliance of New York Cornerstone Award and the City Bar Justice Center Award for superior pro bono legal work for not-for-profit corporations. Today, Wanji is the Deputy General Counsel at PayPal. She has served as a Middlesex trustee for 14 years and shares her alumni status with her daughter Atiya ’12.
You came to Middlesex from an all-girls’ school. Was “coeducation” something you thought about back then in terms of choosing a school?
Honestly, no. I ended up at Middlesex because I was friends with Paget Brewster ’87, the daughter of ceramics teacher Hathy Brewster and Director of Admissions Galen Brewster. I spent a ton of time on campus; they lived in one of the Acorn houses.
When you think of your student years at Middlesex, what are some of your favorite memories?
I think of experiences in the classroom and being introduced to new things. In 1983, there was a mandatory one-year Latin requirement. I was a French student, but then I had to study Latin for a year. I did not stick with it, but it was invigorating to be introduced to something new.
I ran cross-country only in my freshman year. In 2004, I ran the New York Marathon for the first time, and I couldn’t wait to get to campus for a Board meeting to tell Malcolm Russell: “You’re not going to believe this, but I ran the New York Marathon!” He said, “Of course you did! I want you to talk with the girls about it.” I was so flattered because I wasn’t a star; no one would have said, “This is going to be a lifelong runner.” But you get a taste of something, and maybe it doesn’t become a passion then, but you come back to it later. I also ended up being a philosophy major at Howard because of a philosophy class I took senior year with John Price – another example of something I was introduced to at Middlesex. It was a great foundation for law school.
Were there other adults who were important to you?
Paul Harrison was my advisor. I think my mom still views him as my advisor. We were on campus for one of Atiya’s games, and my mother hadn’t seen Paul in about 20 years, but she said, “I’m going to make an appointment to see you!” That’s what they did; they had meetings about me – a lot. My parents and Paul never gave up. It was as if they had decided, “We are going to find the promise in you, no matter what!”
You have served on the Middlesex Board for 14 years. What do you enjoy about that commitment?
Being entrusted with providing strategic direction for the School is an honor. I really care about the School, and it’s a privilege to be able to serve in that capacity and be more visible. I think it can inspire people. If a female board member or African-American board member had gotten in front of me as a student, it would have been inspirational and impactful.
Have you often compared your Middlesex experiences with Atiya ’12? Both of you were varsity basketball captains.
We were told we are the only mother-daughter varsity captains in Middlesex history so far!
We have talked about how our experiences were so different but so similar. I have always felt Middlesex was a safe place to be yourself, to test and learn, to try and fail, to try and succeed. I would tell Atiya, “This is your foundation, and you’re going to have lifelong friends and experiences to think back on.”