Akash Tharani (he/him) is a New York City-based DEI practitioner. He is passionate about building inclusive and equitable spaces for marginalized communities to connect and thrive. As a DEI consultant, Akash supports organizations to build systems-level change to advance inclusion and belonging. He has a range of experiences in DEI strategy development, facilitation, curriculum writing, and keynote speaking engagements. 

Akash currently works in Big Tech, focused on advancing racial and gender equity in hiring. Prior to this, he spent his career at the intersection of racial justice and education, including working at the Posse Foundation, DC Public Schools, and iMentor. However, his most formative and fulfilling work experience was his first job as a high school teacher in the south side of Chicago through Teach for America. Akash received a BA in Mathematics from Boston College and an MA in Teaching from National Louis University.