Diversity & Inclusion Consultants
MindTribes is a leading practitioner and researcher in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Australia.
Under the leadership of Div and Vick Pillay since 2012, MindTribes has grown into an award-winning race & culture inclusion business and DEI management consultancy.
About Us
MindTribes are experts in intersectionality with a particular focus on cultural diversity and gender and is well equipped to support a range of Australian and global organisations to achieve their DEI goals.
Our approach is human centric, outcome-led, focused on equity and equality, across all diversities and co-designed with clients so that change is embedded and sustainable.
We identify opportunities using targeted data collection (both qualitative and quantitative), analytics and insights, and unlock areas of improvement specific to your organisation, leveraging behavioural economics and psychology.
Our research with the University of Melbourne and Deakin University and our first-hand knowledge derived from our social enterprise Culturally Diverse Women, provides us with a unique knowledge of the barriers and success factors that occur from an intersectional perspective.
Our Key Pillars
We work in key pillars with stakeholders at all levels – from ERG or Staff Led Networks to People & Cultural Executives to leaders, managers and the Board. We offer a unique proposition leveraging our expertise in both people and business.
Consulting
As experienced and trusted consultants, we leverage a data-driven approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to enhance equity, inclusion, and diversity. Together We uncover insights and co-design human-centric solutions with our clients. Our expertise in change management ensures effective, sustainable DEI strategies, delivering impactful change that drives organisational success and productivity.
Training & Programs
As skilled learning designer and facilitators, we focus on capability building using behavioural psychology. We offer tailored training with tangible impact measurement through participants’ lived experiences of inclusion. Our outcome-led approach directly addresses the known sunk cost of awareness-only sessions (such as the unconscious bias training that costs $2.7 billion dollars annually) to generate real value for clients.
Leadership
With 20 years experience as a Leadership Executive Coach, Div Pillay draws upon her organisational development and psychology expertise, as well as business acumen to guide leaders to become high-performing, inclusive leaders. Our leadership programs are purposefully designed to drive personal and organisational successes in inclusion, representation and career advancement.
Selected Clients
We have worked with Boards, Executive Leaders, Managers, D&I Councils, Employee Resource Groups, Partners & Suppliers to create inclusion that realises business results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DEI consultant?
DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) consultants provide guidance, expertise, and support to businesses and organisations seeking to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their workplace. MindTribes helps our clients develop strategies, policies, and initiatives to create a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
Why is diversity, equity and inclusion important for businesses?
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can enhance business performance by cultivating an inclusive culture, amplifying employee engagement, and fostering innovation. Diverse teams bring a range of perspectives, leading to more creative and innovative solutions. Inclusive environments enable all employees to feel valued and respected. Equity ensures that all employees have access to the same opportunities and resources, and everyone can maximise their skills to succeed. DEI supports employee morale and job satisfaction, contributes to a healthier, more productive workplace culture, leading to high retention rates and better individual job performance, thereby improving an organisation’s financial results.
What is intersectionality?
Intersectionality is a framework acknowledging how different aspects of a person’s social and political identities (such as race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and ethnicity), do not exist separately from each other but are interconnected. This concept emphasises the need to understand how overlapping identities face compounding experiences of discrimination and biases. Intersectionality ensures that policies and initiatives for DEI effectively address the diverse experiences of individuals.
MindTribes are experts in managing the intersectional experiences of employees, to provide comprehensive understanding and support in the workplace. MindTribes has a particular focus on the intersection of gender and race.
What is MindTribes' approach to DEI?
MindTribes takes a consultative, human-centric and intersectional approach to diversity consulting, making us an important partner for organisations aiming to foster inclusivity. We bring a multidisciplinary lens, combining knowledge in areas such as sociology, psychology, organisational development, human resources, strategy, change management, and data analysis. Our methodology, while derived from our extensive research, best practices and client case studies, is tailored to each client’s unique working environment.
What services does MindTribes offer?
MindTribes offers a comprehensive suite of services, including DEI audit and advisory, capability building, and change management, addressing businesses’ diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges. We work collaboratively with our clients to identify the services that best suit their needs. These include:
- Audit and Advisory Services: We specialise in conducting listening sessions (employee engagement forums), demographic data collection, audit of Employee Assistance Programs, board assessment of inclusion, policy reviews, audits of the employee lifecycle (including recruitment, selection, advancement, and promotion) and reviews of DEI strategies and actions.
- Capability Build Services: We are experts in outcome-led learning tailored to clients’ needs. We deliver executive coaching and advisory, and both asynchronous and synchronous learning programs. Some specific examples of capability building programs include, gender impact assessments, psychological safety program, and staff-led network capability.
- Change Management & Governance Services: We excel in strategy design, integration and governance, equity action plans, and change management.
What sectors does MindTribes focus on?
MindTribes works with all industries and sectors. We customise our services by conducting industry-specific assessments, understanding organisational nuances, and aligning strategies with the unique challenges and goals of each client. This tailored approach ensures that interventions are contextually relevant, addressing industry-specific issues and fostering meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Examples include:
Mining: BHP, Rio Tinto; Financial Services: mebank, Suncorp, American Express; Automotive: Nissan, Toyota; Telecommunications: Telstra; Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, CSL; Government; Consulting/Advisory: Norton Rose Fulbright, Grant Thornton, Deloitte; FMCG: Lion; Retail: Sussan Group; Vicinity; Government: Victorian Government departments, NSW Public Sector Commission, Local Government Councils, Federal Government; Not For Profit/Charity: Plan International, Water Aid; Universities: University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Monash University; Health care: HealthWest partnership; North East Metro Health Service Partnership.
How can diversity consultants assist in creating inclusive recruitment and hiring practices?
Diversity consultants provide support by evaluating and revising job descriptions, interview processes, and candidate assessments to eliminate biases and foster diversity. We provide guidance on promoting job opportunities to diverse talent pools, ensuring a more inclusive candidate experience and contributing to a workforce that reflects a broader range of perspectives and backgrounds.
How can diversity consultants help address discrimination and bias in the workplace?
Diversity consultants offer strategies and interventions to promote unbiased decision-making and pro-active inclusive practice. These can include, improved processes and practices, more equitable policies, job-relevant workshops and case-studies, data analysis, formalised strategies and project plans.
What is the role of diversity consultants in leadership development?
Diversity consultants offer tailored programs that focus on inclusive leadership skills. We provide training to help leaders, understand diverse perspectives, address biases, and create inclusive environments within organisations. We guide leaders in demonstrating commitment from the top, embracing diversity and fostering equitable practices.
How can organisations measure the success of diversity initiatives?
Organisations can gauge their success through key performance indicators (KPIs), by tracking demographic shifts, employee satisfaction, and career progression rates. MindTribes works with our clients to incorporate evaluation tools like surveys and diversity scorecards to monitor progress and ensure ongoing improvement in diversity and inclusion efforts.