Testimonials
Jennifer Abman Scott (Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Society of Women Engineers)
“Smita Tharoor is an expert in the Unconscious Bias field. At the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), we have worked with Smita in delivering unique programming across the globe. What I appreciate the most is that she targets each keynote, presentation, and discussion to the audience and adds meaningful local content, regardless of audience size.”
The Society of Women Engineers, based in Chicago, supports women engineers worldwide in becoming successful leaders. Smita Tharoor was invited to deliver keynotes on Women’s Empowerment and Unconscious Bias in cities including Philadelphia, Penang, Madrid, London, and Pune. She also moderated panel discussions at these conferences.
Firyal Teemul (Senior Legal Counsel, Funds and Distribution, Axa Investment Managers)
“Our audience really enjoyed our event on Unconscious Bias, where Smita led a very candid one-to-one with one of our senior leaders. From the feedback, the comments were very positive, with some commenting that it had had a profound and personal impact on their worldview. We found the introspective approach of exploring one’s personal experiences with curiosity to be a really impactful way of talking about the topic of Unconscious Bias.
We thought Smita’s way of leading the conversation and providing critical questions was very bold yet approachable, and we think it provided a great example for participants to see that these conversations are nothing to fear. Smita had a delicate way of unpacking personal experiences to reveal the underlying thoughts, to empower us to challenge those thoughts and through this, change our worldview. A highly recommended speaker and presenter from our experience.”
Axa Investment Managers (Axa IM) is a global investment management firm. It operates as the investment arm for Axa, a global insurance and reinsurance company.
Jerome Goodluck (Senior Business Manager, The Institiute of Leadership)
“Smita is an excellent speaker. Insightful, engaging, brilliant. I booked her to speak at a conference on Emotional Resilience a couple of years ago and we have continued to work together since. Highly recommended as a keynote speaker.”
The Institute of Leadership is the professional membership body in the UK for an active, international community of over 50,000 leaders, managers, coaches, and mentors.
Antonette Ligon (Programme Manager, CISCO)
“It was a true pleasure working with Smita from Tharoor Associates. She was responsible for delivering Unconscious Bias training to our managers. Smita’s expertise was effective in creating a trusting environment where managers felt comfortable to share their experiences. Through her training techniques, our mangers learned how to become aware of their Unconscious Bias and how it could impact their decisions while at work. As a result, her efforts have help to foster an inclusive culture within our company. Thank you Smita for your work!”
The Head of HR at Cisco in San Jose, California recognised the importance of addressing conscious inclusion and requested a series of interventions, including keynotes and training workshops, for their teams in Bangalore and the US.
Rakhee Rajani (PR Account Director & Insight Lead, Stand Agency PR Firm)
“Great session. Smita delivered it in a dynamic, accessible way with great anecdotes. Fluid. Allowed people to ask questions which made it open and relevant. Would highly recommend to other organisations.”
The Head of HR and the Accounts Director at Stand Agency, UK, recognised the need for more inclusive recruitment practices. As a women-only organisation, they wanted all employees to attend a keynote session on Conscious Inclusion, Unconscious Bias, and creative thinking.
Aida Sitdikova (Director, Energy Eurasia, European Bank Reconstruction Development)
“Great webinars on Unconscious Bias by Smita for Energy Eurasia team. Very well structured, engaging and thought provoking. Understanding unconscious biases better is what the world needs right now. Thank you Smita!”
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an organisation that invests in energy, infrastructure, and other sectors in Eurasia and other regions.
Wayne Chandai (Head of the Chief Executive’s Office and Democratic Services Manager, Lambeth Council)
“Smita has been doing some work with our councillors around the Unconscious Bias and emotional resilience. The keynotes and workshops are always professionally run, with plenty of interaction and Smita is happy to share her experiences freely in this area which gives a great personal insight. Smita is clearly passionate about the subject and the message it gives which makes her sessions even more attractive and well received.”
Lambeth Borough Council is a local authority in London, UK. They employ around 3,000 staff.
Reza Beyad (Operations Director, Britannia Petroleum)
“Smita is an eloquent and experienced speaker on Equality and Diversity issues and Cross-Cultural Competence, and she recently won an award in this area of work. She is charming, witty, and inspirational at every level. It is not just educational to be in her presence; it’s also stimulating and motivating. Her expertise in Unconscious Bias interests and impresses me the most, as it is so relevant to everything we do, both at work and home. I highly recommend her topics, as everything she does helps us be more aware of our Unconscious Bias.”
Britannia Petroleum manufacture control systems for the global drilling industry from their manufacturing base in the UK. Reza Beyad has served as their Operations Director in London since 2003.
Sarah Ingleby (Director of Quality and Safety, NCA, NHS Foundation Trust)
“I cannot recommend Smita enough. Her coaching style was open, supportive and calm. She listened, guided, and helped me to discover strengths that I didn’t know I had. I have had many coaches and Smita is one I talk about often as being life changing.”
The Northern Care Alliance’s Diagnostics & Pharmacy Group provides pharmacy, pathology, radiology and vaccination services.
Vicki Powell (Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, Camden Neuro and Stroke Team, NHS Foundation Trust)
“I have benefitted hugely from Smita’s warm, empathetic, but gently challenging approach as a coach. I felt extremely comfortable and safe working with her. I felt she listened to me and my needs, but also offered me good and appropriate challenge when needed. I would highly recommend her as a coach and am grateful to have had a coaching relationship with her.”
Camden Neurological and Stroke Service provides specialist neurological rehabilitation services.
Carlvin Josephs (Assistant Clinical Quality & Improvement Director, Clinical Quality Team, NHS Foundation Trust)
“Smita provided me with time, space, and level of challenge to improve my insight. Through coaching, I became more insightful about areas I did not think had such an impact on my career, and my reactions to being in a new team with a different hierarchy and balance of personalities. Smita was pleasant throughout the sessions and it felt easy to build a rapport. I believe we learn something new every day and Smita has definitely added to my toolbox of resilience, knowledge, and awareness.”
The Nursing Directorate is responsible for developing a strategic approach to ensuring people have a positive experience of care and treatment and that people are cared for in a safe environment as well as providing professional leadership to nurses and midwives.