Team - North America Region
Marilyn Nagel
Diversity & Inclusion Consultant
Marilyn has an unusual background that includes over 30 years of experience in the corporate world as a C-Suite executive, entrepreneur and executive coach. In addition to being Chief Learning Officer of SAMI, a game based training company with a diversity focus, Marilyn has her own consulting firm Ready-Aim-Aspire. Her consulting work is widely recognized in the field of diversity and inclusion as well as women’s leadership development.
Prior to starting Ready-Aim Aspire, Marilyn served as CEO of Watermark leading strategic initiatives designed to help women in the Bay Area enhance their personal and professional impact.
Before leading Watermark, Marilyn was Chief Diversity Officer at Cisco. At Cisco, Marilyn facilitated the global I&D council, set the I&D agenda and strategy for the company, and measured progress toward goals. She enhanced Cisco's innovation, by driving policy changes to create a more inclusive environment. Marilyn was recognized as a thought leader in creating inclusive environments, and served as co-chair of the Conference Board Global Diversity Group as well as senior advisor to the Center for Talent and Innovation.
Marilyn holds a Bachelors degree in fine arts as well as two Masters degrees, one in Public Administration with a focus on organizational development and one in Social and Systemic Studies. She is also ABD on a Doctorate in Public Administration.
She serves on the Board of Directors of Ceres Community Project, and has served on the Board of Directors of Watermark, Professional Business Women of California, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (NACME), UPWARD, and Family and Children Services. Marilyn also currently serves on the Advisory Boards of The Everest Project, YOL as well as the Advisory Council of Courageous Leadership.
Marilyn is a recipient of the Women of Influence Award, the Women Leading the Way TWIN Award, Women Worth Watching award from the Diversity Journal, Black Enterprise Top Executives in Diversity, and Diversity Officer Leadership Award.
In addition to her current work with numerous startups, Marilyn also consults with fortune 500 and multinational companies on developing and implementing diversity strategies. She is an internationally recognized speaker and workshop facilitator on topics such as Building Intentional Connections, Building a Culture of Inclusion, Inclusive Leadership, Creating Influence, as well as Women’s Leadership. She is a regular blogger for the Huffington Post and frequently contributes to numerous publications. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marilyn-nagel/
Sandeep Nair (he/they)
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Expert
With over 13 years of work experience, Sandeep has worked as an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Consultant for over a decade. He is experienced in working with various organizations across the India and Asian regions and delivers a global perspective on EDI when delivering as part of the TAC Global team. Sandeep's work focuses largely on creating an inclusive workplace environment for all, with a focus on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and people with disabilities. Sandeep has led programs, campaigns, training and consulting services to drive EDI strategy across various organizations globally and is open to sharing his lived experiences, as well to drive the importance of allyship.
Sandeep has played a key role in developing three key research publications on 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion, to achieve success in creating a safe and inclusive society. He contributed his expertise at the global summit by Out & Equal for two consecutive years. Sandeep also led the, This is Me campaign which centres on the sharing of stories and lived experiences of disability and mental health, an initiative by the Lord Mayor's Appeal in London.
Sandeep's commitment to inclusion also extends to volunteering with youth and teens as a mentor with Vancouver Island BigBrothersBigSisters Foundation, and is part of the EDI committee for Volunteer Canada. He is also a volunteer with an organization working towards senior well-being. Sandeep is part of RAHM Community which is a global community of groundbreaking LGBTIQ+ leaders and was part of a global movement called It Gets Better Project. He was on the board of Nanaimo Pride Society and SIETAR BC (Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research).
Being a temporarily abled, gay, person of color with a vibrant cultural and ethnic background, Sandeep understands the role organizations can play in harnessing the power of business for a positive social change and full talent engagement. Sandeep moved to Canada from India with his husband in 2019 and has recently become an adoptive parent to an 11-year old child.