Rekha S Verma – A catalyst that builds Inclusive, High-Performing Workplaces

With a proven track record across Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, and global organizations spanning finance, healthcare, tech, banking, and education, Rekha delivers measurable impact.

Driving Systemic Change: Former Head of DEI for EY Canada—recognized as Canada's Best Diversity Employer for seven consecutive years. She developed multi-year DEI strategies that transformed leadership pipelines, revived the inclusiveness steering committee, and brought leadership matters to life.

Cutting-Edge Thought Leader: A sought-after speaker, trainer, and advisor, Rekha brings data-based and insights-driven, nuanced practices and disruptive insights to values-based, fairness, inclusion, wellbeing consulting and training solutions.

Beyond Business, Creating Legacy: A passionate advocate for women's advancement, Rekha has coached UN social entrepreneurs and supports Dress for Success, a nonprofit dedicated to women's economic empowerment.

Rekha is a global leader in Fairness, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Leadership Development, and Workplace Transformation.

Trusted by Industry Giants: Led DEI strategy for Johnson & Johnson Canada and previously spearheaded national and regional DEI portfolios at British Council India, where her work was showcased alongside Google and IBM in global best practices.

Global Perspective, Local Execution: Worked across North America, Europe, and Asia, bringing culturally nuanced, business-aligned solutions to every engagement.

Board Leadership & Social Impact: Rekha serves on the board of Broad Reach Canada, an organization dedicated to advancing equity and access to leadership, education, and economic opportunities for underrepresented communities.

As the Founder of Diversity & Beyond Inc., Rekha is on a mission to help organizations create fair, high-impact, and innovative workplaces—where all talent thrives.

Fiona was the Global Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the British Council and a member of its Global Leadership Team. She had responsibility for setting and driving the strategic direction of EDI across offices in 100 countries and territories.

Her qualifications include but are not limited to an Advanced Diploma in Social Work, a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, an M.Phil in Social Policy and a Doctorate in Professional Studies (social sciences).

Publications include co-edited Global Diversity Management: A Fusion of Ideas, Stories and Practice (Management for Professionals) with Professors Mustafa F. Ozbilgin and Paul Gibbs, published by Springer in 2019.

She is a former social worker, a member of the Higher Education Academy and her local Race Equality Council, a Trustee of Africa Gifted Foundation led by Tom Ilube, supporting gifted and talented African girls in science, and a founding member of the Premiere League's Independent Equality Panel.

Her contribution to equality and diversity has been acknowledged through a 2005 OBE and a number of awards from different countries including Canada and India, the Ghana Professional Achievers Award for humanitarian services to the UK and Ghana, the latter being her country of birth, as well as the USA Peter Robertson award for Equality and Diversity Champions.

Keith is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) with over 25 years of HR experience. He brings strategic as well as operational skills to DEI consulting projects. Keith is a Steering Committee Member of the Government of Canada's Visible Minority Chairs and Champion Committee.

Keith has successfully designed and implemented various enterprise-wide DEI, human resources, and organizational change initiatives. He is also a trusted advisor assisting clients in implementing equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies and action plans.

He is a knowledgeable and passionate practitioner in the inclusion, equity, diversity, anti-racism, and accessibility (IDEAs) space. Keith applies his knowledge of human resources management and IDEAs to help organizations instill a shared sense of belonging, to improve authentic leadership, employee engagement, innovation, team cohesion, and ultimately, profitability.

Julie is a consultant with 15+ years of experience working across the finance, corporate, and non-profit sectors. She has a deep understanding of how important ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues are to investor due diligence and corporate success. Julie works with corporations on DEI strategy, policy, measurement and disclosure.

Julie is a CFA Charterholder. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts from York University, several courses on responsible investing, and is trained in conflict and sensitivity facilitation.

Julie has the proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. When she was Director of Programs at Canada's Responsible Investment Association, she spearheaded working groups, professional training, and industry programs to promote sustainable finance.

Nikita is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist with two Masters' degrees specializing in Psychology. She is a researcher with experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies and programs. Her master's thesis focussed on how organization-based self-esteem impacts voice behavior amongst employees at corporate workplaces.

Nikita has worked as a Research Fellow at Catalyst Inc. New York. She specializes in developing policies and tools that create a community where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together to celebrate their differences, engage in dialogue, and respect the uniqueness that each one of them brings to the table.

Kim is the recipient of the prestigious Catalyst Canada Honours Emerging Leader Champion award for her relentless work in fostering an inclusive workplace culture working closely with black and LGBTQ2+ employees.

Kim is a senior financial services professional by qualification. She holds a Master's degree in Accountancy from Florida International University and a Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of Iowa. She uses her insights into workplace culture as a black and openly queer person along with her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a safe space for all employees.

Shruti has integrated her passion for social justice, equipped with a Master's in social services to make a difference for the historically disadvantaged communities.

In addition to being a competitive runner, she is passionate about liberal arts that have enabled her to understand the nuances of the varied contexts that individuals and groups share and belong to.

She has extensive experience in action-oriented research on gender, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ2+, disability, and millennials. Her work in the social space has helped hundreds of marginalized youth find resources and solutions to their needs, be it related to education, careers, coaching, or therapy.