3 Inclusion and Diversity Champions
According to research, workers and customers alike want more socially responsible businesses. Organizations have noticed. Companies are becoming more interested in creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. This interest has led to an increase in professionals whose work is focused on creating more inclusive and diverse environments.
Below are 4 individuals (in no particular order), who have done outstanding work in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Dr.Nika White. Dr. Nika is a diversity consultant and leadership coach who helps companies overcome obstacles related to DEI. Nika White has more than 20 years of experience in this field. She has assisted over 80 institutions and companies with their DEI efforts.
Nika is the Greenville Chamber’s Head of Diversity and Inclusion. She has helped to implement DEI practices which have transformed the city and made lasting improvements in South Carolina. Nika is a Doctor of Management in Organizational leadership. Nika, in addition to her vast consulting experience, has also written two books about diversity and inclusion: Next Level Inclusionist: Transforming your work and yourself for equity, diversity, and inclusion success.
2. Chantalle Couba. Chantalle Couba is a motivated executive-level advisor with substantial in-house and advisory financial services experience, including operational risk and human capital strategy. She has performed due diligence within eight industry sectors in private equity investing.
Currently she serves on the National Board of Directors for INROADS. This non-profit organization focuses on mentoring and placement in paid internship roles, preparing diverse talent for various community and leadership roles.
Change Catalyst — At Namaste Consulting, she leads qualitative research on women in senior leadership roles, and her work facilitates female affinity strategy design. Her delivery portfolio includes anti-racist and inclusion experiential learning for non-profit and private industry leaders. Other clients served include higher education institutions. She provides research support and preparation for executive speeches and proposals on inclusion, growth strategy, and vision formation. Click here for more on Chantalle.
3. Wayne Sutton is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Icon Project. The Icon Project mission is to build emotional intelligence to advance the success of Black and Brown men in tech. Wayne is also the co-founder of Change Catalyst and its Tech Inclusion programs. Change Catalyst builds inclusive tech ecosystems through strategic advising, startup programs and resources, and a series of events around the globe. Sutton’s experience includes years of establishing partnerships with large brands to early-stage startups.
As a leading voice in diversity and inclusion in tech, Sutton shares his thoughts on solutions and culture in various media outlets where he has been featured in TechCrunch, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. In addition to mentoring and advising early-stage startups, Sutton’s life goal is to educate entrepreneurs who are passionate about using technology to change the world.
