Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindu Thomas-George.
Hi Cindu, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My professional journey began over two decades ago in San Francisco, California, after I earned a graduate degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Intercultural Communication. The insights and skills I acquired during my studies were transformative, deepening my understanding of the challenges I faced growing up as the daughter of Indian immigrants. More significantly, my education empowered me with the tools necessary to guide others in fostering a workplace culture that values inclusion and belonging.
When I founded Shakti Training, the landscape of communication was vastly different. Social media was just emerging, the iPhone had yet to be introduced, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was not a widely recognized field. With limited avenues for brand awareness, I took proactive steps to establish my business. I hired a college student who I found on Craigslist to design my logo, made business cards and became an ambassador for my boutique consulting firm, promoting it at every opportunity and securing a few initial clients during those formative years of my entrepreneurship journey.
A pivotal moment came five years later when the former President of the College of Lake County (where I hold a tenured professorship), took notice of my skill and expertise and encouraged me to extend my services to organizations within Lake County. His introductions were instrumental in expanding my business. Although he recently passed away, I am deeply grateful for his support and encouragement, which significantly influenced my career path.
Over the past fifteen years, I have diligently balanced two careers while growing my boutique DEI consulting firm. As a first-generation entrepreneur, I navigated the complexities of building and scaling a business without having much guidance or mentorship. This journey has been characterized by perseverance, a passion for driving change, and a commitment to continuous learning, all of which have been essential to my success.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout my career, I have faced numerous challenges that have helped build my resilience, expertise, and credibility. As a first-generation college student and daughter of immigrants, I lacked the guidance and social capital needed to smoothly launch my own business. However, I am thankful for these struggles, as they have taught me valuable lessons that I now share with others embarking on their own consulting ventures.
The work of inclusion and anti-oppression is inherently complex and increasingly challenging as DEI becomes politicized. The pushback against DEI has led to anti-DEI legislation aiming to reverse decades of inclusion progress. Since 2023, fourteen anti-DEI bills have become law, imposing bans on DEI offices, diversity statements, and DEI training, which has created layers of uncertainty and challenges. Despite these obstacles, I believe that working to increase inclusion is more crucial than ever as our workplaces continue to grow increasingly diverse. Inclusion has evolved from a nice-to-have to a must-have that increases retention, productivity, and profitability.
Despite the political headwinds against DEI, I remain focused on empowering employees at all organizational levels to become catalysts for inclusive and transformative cultural change. Early in my career, I made a commitment to help ensure that no one else would face the trauma of exclusion and othering that I endured. This commitment serves as my north star, helping me stay focused amidst challenges. In reality, there is nothing political about striving to create a more inclusive experience for minoritized and historically excluded people—this is simply about being pro-human.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Shakti Training is a boutique DEI consulting business offering custom-designed professional development experiences that work to create a culture of inclusion and belonging for today’s increasingly diverse and globalized workplaces. As the Principal trainer, I work to build the inclusion capacities of leaders and employees so that they are prepared to co-create transformational culture change. I partner with organizations to offer (1) Interactive and impactful professional development designed to convert conceptual awareness into applicable workplace skill (2) Inclusive Leadership coaching for leaders and coaching for DEI councils and ERG’s, and (3) Keynote Speaking that sparks transformation.
There are two main mantras that inform my work:
1.Be informed. Be empowered. Be your own catalyst for change!
I work to bring impactful and action-oriented information and education to my clients so that they are equipped and empowered to be catalysts of culture change. I truly believe that Inclusion is the responsibility of ALL of us and with the right tools, we can successfully co-conspire to create a more inclusive workplace experience.
2.Find your Shakti and get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
The work of inclusion requires us to face our biases, blind spots, and insecurities which can be uncomfortable. It’s human nature to avoid discomfort, but real progress comes from embracing it. When we find the ‘Shakti’ (which means strength and courage in my native language of Malayalam) to get comfortable with being uncomfortable we can engage in honest and vulnerable self-reflection and achieve increased self-awareness and personal growth. This process not only encourages workplace relationships to go from transactional to transformative but also transforms our leadership and advances inclusion within our organizations and society.
What distinguishes me from other DEI practitioners is my extensive experience in the DEI field, spanning two decades, coupled with my expertise in designing and facilitating active learning experiences for adult learners that comes from my 20 year career teaching in Higher Education. Additionally, I bring a breadth and depth to my work and specialize in a range of topics that work to create a culture of inclusion and belonging. I design and facilitate training and coaching focused on: intercultural intelligence, inclusive leadership, equity, racial inclusion, as well as the advancement of Asian Americans and Women in the workplace.
I seek to collaborate with clients who are committed to moving beyond simply checking the “DEI box.” The Window dressing and virtue signaling of inclusion and belonging not only fails to empower employees but can also cause significant harm. I help organizations ensure that their efforts move beyond box checking and are effective at create a culture of belonging in which everyone has the ability to reach their full potential.
I work closely with my clients to ensure that the dialogues initiated during professional development sessions permeate the organization. I guide organizations to apply the acquired learning to instigate systemic changes within their systems and processes, maximizing the return on their investment. As a long-time educator, I believe in the transformational power of education and approach each engagement as an opportunity to unlock potential and elevate the emotional and cultural intelligence of employees at all levels.
My personal and professional dedication to fostering inclusion and equity led me to establish two Chicago based organizations: The Chicago Women’s Leadership Accelerator, a conference dedicated to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles, and the South Asian Solidarity Movement, a social impact organization creating educational opportunities and community-building experiences to promote anti-oppression, inclusion, and cross-racial solidarity.
If you’re interested in learning more about how I collaborate with clients and how I can support your organization’s inclusion and equity goals, please feel free to reach out!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Books:
DEI Deconstructed by Lily Zheng
The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves by Shawn Ginwright
Reimagine Inclusion by Mita Mallick
The Wake Up by Michelle Kim
Podcasts:
Brown Table Talk
NPR’s Code Switch
Intersectionality Matters
Solidarity is This
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shaktitraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaktidiversityandequity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaktidiversityandequity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Gt5pGTRtZhFJRQs91OiqA
- Other: https://www.womensleadershipaccelerator.net/
Image Credits
Tembo Tones LLC