Today we’d like to introduce you to Bhavik Shah

Hi Bhavik, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I began my career in financial services, working in investment banking and management consulting. During that time, I found my true passion in mentoring and creating opportunities for marginalized voices. Initially, it started with small actions—helping junior team members navigate complex workplace dynamics. However, this passion evolved into a new career path, where I focus on amplifying workplace mental health through company-wide awareness initiatives and holding leaders accountable for fostering cultures that prioritize mental well-being.

Today, I work with clients who are committed to breaking away from outdated workforce paradigms. I help them appreciate diverse learning and working styles, and create equitable and inclusive environments through policy changes, performance management frameworks, remote work flexibility, and more. Whether through leadership training, strategic consulting, or custom-designed workshops, I partner with clients to drive meaningful change and support their teams in thriving.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It certainly hasn’t been smooth! I’ve faced many obstacles along the way—one of the biggest being a lack of support from leaders in my previous roles. I firmly believed that mental health and DEIB are inseparable, but some leaders were reluctant to challenge the status quo. This pushed me to carve out my own path in a unique niche, where South Asian queer leaders are often underrepresented. Without the benefit of representation or mentorship, I relied on my own values to navigate my business partnerships, ensuring I could deliver impact without compromising my integrity.

I believe many entrepreneurs can relate to this experience—it’s through overcoming obstacles that your values and purpose become even clearer. For me, those challenges solidified my confidence in what I offer today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bhavik R. Shah LLC?

Firstly, it’s significant to state that I chose to keep my business name as my own. My name, Bhavik (ભાવિક in Gujarati), represents my South Asian roots and my journey of embracing my identity after years of exclusion. For decades, my name was mispronounced, leading me to Westernize it as much as possible. This affected my confidence and mental health throughout my education and career. Now, I honor my name and culture, reminding all marginalized communities that their unique experiences are powerful and vital, whether they are in activism or any other space.

What sets me apart is my 12 years of experience in financial services, which gives me a deep understanding of what the average worker needs to succeed. I work with communities of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, leveraging my expertise in large-scale transformation and change management to effectively integrate mental health and DEIB initiatives. While others may offer solutions that fall short, my background provides me with a unique superpower to create pragmatic, purpose-driven strategies.

Here’s what I offer:

Strategic Consulting & Advisory Services: I empower organizations to merge strategy with empathy, driving authentic culture change. By aligning business goals with inclusive practices, I help leaders build environments where everyone can thrive.

Bespoke Workshops & Leadership Training: My workshops are designed to upskill leaders, enabling them to cultivate diverse, high-performing teams and reinforce inclusion. These tailored programs equip leaders with practical strategies to foster a culture of belonging and empower their teams.

Keynote Presentations & Speaker Series: I provide actionable strategies to combat stereotypes, support mental health, and practice proactive allyship. Through engaging presentations, I inspire audiences to take tangible steps toward creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces.

I’m particularly proud of my recent focus on mental health and DEIB topics, especially at the intersection of AAPI and LGBTQ+ issues. My partnerships with organizations like Call For Culture and Talmetrix further reinforce my commitment to driving impactful change.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?

Pragmatic Empathy: I realized that businesses wouldn’t halt operations to prioritize employee mental health & DEIB. Thus, cultivating a middle ground where leaders foster cultures of inclusion and empower employees to fulfill their roles effectively became paramount. Empowering organizations to embrace change, rather than resist it, has been a cornerstone. Integrating mental health & DEIB strategies within work culture empowers businesses to thrive while prioritizing key culture initiatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bhavikrshah.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhavtalks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bhavikshah4959