Samugam means community in Tamil, my mother tongue.

I immigrated to America from India at a young age and was raised with each foot firmly planted in two cultures with very different ways of relating to others. And so, the different ways of experiencing community, both individualist and collectivist, have always been at top of mind for me.

As I started to do organizational change work, I had to opportunity to explore my perspectives about community via the contexts of systemic inequity.

Mia Birdsong said it best:
“We need a vision of community that is relevant and future-facing. A vision that brings us closer to one another, allows us to be vulnerable and imperfect, to grieve and stumble, to be held accountable and loved deeply. We need models of success and leadership that fundamentally value love, care, and generosity of resources and spirit.”
- Mia Birdsong, How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community

Equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) is a heart-centered philosophy that centers around connection with others. It’s about creating systems of community so that every individual, regardless of their role or status in society or an organization, is equipped with the knowledge and resources to empathize with and help their those around them.

Centered in this philosophy, I help organizations transform their cultures to be more inclusive of all their staff and to better work with local communities. I also provide safe spaces for the EDIB champions and changemakers to gather and talk about their experiences in doing this work.