As CEO, Shilpa Pherwani collaborates with leaders to develop innovative, engaging solutions to dismantle systemic inequities and leverage diversity for success. An organizational psychologist by training, she builds trusting, long-term relationships through deep listening and meeting people where they are. Pherwani helps her clients—which include American Airlines, Google, ESPN, Microsoft, Xerox, Gannett/USA Today, Sun Life Financial and University of Missouri—push boundaries to creatively move DEI dialogue to the next level while creating a culture of accountability. Her solutions are scalable, global and sustainable.

As an entrepreneur and thought leader, Pherwani has developed a leading proprietary tool for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) assessment, the Inclusive Organization Framework, which rates fourteen different areas of organizations to gauge where strategic focus can ensure the most progress. She also drives behavioral change at the individual level. Under Pherwani’s leadership, IBIS creates thousands of unforgettable learner moments every month. Booming client demand for Interactive Theater and Instructor-Led Training has matched interest in the firm’s award-winning E-Learning on racial equity and unconscious bias.

Her experience as an immigrant from India, which has guided her to value what she brings to the community rather than assimilate to a dominant culture, is a cornerstone she’s impressed upon her own children as well as her business. Since 1999, Pherwani has led IBIS to partner with powerful companies and universities as they run DEI assessments, develop strategic diversity action plans, and create and deliver nimble, ever-changing DEI curriculum.

“I approach DEI with an abundance mentality,” says Pherwani. “Inclusion signals scarcity to some, but the end goal is equity for all. It takes being intentional about culture to make the shift from ‘us versus them’ thinking. I work with clients to transform the workplace environment from one that tolerates differences to one that truly leverages them—where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can ultimately thrive.”

Matthew Finkelstein is the Training Associate at IBIS, where he assists with the creation of innovative diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) products. His professional experience as a theatrical stage manager for live and virtual events includes working with Baryshnikov Arts Center, IAMA Theatre Company, and ZogCulture. He has also volunteered with a youth theater company in
Manhattan that champions diversity and inclusion in theatre.

Matthew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts Production at Emerson College where he also studied Comedic Arts.

Dr. Enin Rudel holds a PsyD. in Organizational Leadership Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology, and an MSW in Clinical Social work. As an organizational psychologist, through the use of dialogic practices, he creates space for employees to bring their authentic selves into the workplace. He is a thought leader, and an innovator in DEI. Dr. Rudel’s approaches are rooted in emotional intelligence and his award-winning, publication titled: “Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Social Architecture, and Black Male Leadership”, offered the first resource for global DEI leaders on how to elevate retention and leadership of Black male executives.

Enin is the Director of the Inclusive Leadership Psychology Concentration at William James College and serves as teaching faculty in the Organizational Leadership Psychology Department. He is founder and principal of EI Consulting, LLC.

Dr. Rudel is a member of Boston Facilitator’s Roundtable and the American Psychological Association.