Parmesh Shahani is a distinguished individual with a strong background in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, along with a rich portfolio of accomplishments. He is currently serving as the Head of the Godrej DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Lab at Godrej Industries Limited and Associate Companies, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. In this role, Parmesh is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive culture at Godrej and contributing to a more inclusive world. His responsibilities include championing LGBTQIA inclusion, delivering keynotes, and acting as a culture curator and DEI consultant.
EDUCATION
Parmesh Shahani pursued his education at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, where he earned an MBA in Marketing and Finance, and at Delhi College of Engineering, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering. Throughout his academic journey, he actively engaged in extracurricular activities, including being a Student Council Member, winning in badminton, representing India at a global IEEE conference in Singapore, and leading a student team for a national tech fest called Troika. Parmesh’s education also includes a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Delhi College of Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management.
CAREER
Before his current role, Parmesh Shahani was self-employed for nearly two years, operating as an author, keynote speaker, culture curator, and LGBTQIA inclusion consultant. He delivered keynote speeches on various topics, including LGBTQIA inclusion in the Indian workplace and how to drive organizational change through culture. He also provided consultancy services to organizations and brands on how to meaningfully support India’s LGBTQIA citizens through HR, branding, and CSR initiatives.
Additionally, Parmesh Shahani spent over a decade working with the Godrej Group, where he was instrumental in founding and leading the Godrej India Culture Lab. This innovative platform challenged traditional notions of culture and facilitated dialogue and experimentation through diverse cultural programs, thematic pop-ups, film screenings, exhibitions, and discussions. The Lab also released white papers on topics like trans inclusion in the workplace and digital media usage in Mumbai’s cultural landscape. Parmesh was actively involved in multiple group projects, including curating the annual Godrej Leadership Forum and contributing to the strategic development of diversity and inclusion initiatives across group companies.
Parmesh Shahani’s career journey extends to Mahindra & Mahindra, where he worked as the Head of Vision and Opportunities, focusing on new media interventions, venture capital initiatives, culture, and outreach. During this time, he helped invest in various companies and initiated cultural engagements, including a film festival in York and a group learning program at Harvard University.
Before that, Parmesh Shahani gained experience as a Research Assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he contributed to the conceptualization and management of the Convergence Culture Consortium (C3). He also analyzed games literacy education in the USA for The Education Arcade.
Parmesh’s earlier experiences include a teaching role as a Teacher Trainee, Assistant Vice President of Business Development at Sony Entertainment Television, and serving as the Chief Executive Officer, Founder, and Editor at FreshLimeSoda Interactive, India’s first internet youth portal. He also worked as a Features Writer and Copy Editor for Bombay Times, Assistant Film Director for SIC Productions, and Features Writer for Elle Magazine (India).
Parmesh Shahani’s professional journey is a testament to his commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion and driving cultural change, particularly in the LGBTQIA space, making a substantial impact on both organizations and society at large.
