WELCOME TO A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING DEI.
Different is a Black, Asian, LGBTQIA+, non-binary and women owned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting firm and we believe in doing things differently.
Partnering with us means tapping into a reservoir of dynamic ideas, where innovation meets inclusivity.
We foster environments where resilience isn’t just about weathering the storm, but evolving because of it. Where challenges are viewed as opportunities, connection across differences is celebrated, change is welcomed, conflicts are catalysts for growth and uncertainty is met with a prepared mindset. Together, we’re not just preparing businesses for the future; we're reimagining it.
are you ready to get to work?
about us.
Different is a Black, Asian, LGBTQIA+, non-binary and women owned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting firm and we believe in doing things differently.
We know there is something powerful about bringing together different perspectives, lived experiences, and approaches to work and to life. Because of this, we believe that this work is much more transformative when we are not locked into one way of working or limited by how things have been done in the past.
That’s why we are not a single founder-led company, but instead, share and distribute power to enable greater transparency, access and opportunity for all members of our growing team. We strive to model for others what is possible when a team is grounded in trust and better reflects the communities and clients it serves.
We look forward to co-creating a better tomorrow with you.
DOWNLOAD THE LGBTQIA+ WORKPLACE INCLUSION GUIDE.
Download our free workplace inclusion guide to learn about best practices your organization can implement for greater equity and inclusion for your LGBTQIA+ employees. The guide also comes with a free lightweight audit to assess and enhance your people processes.
OUR TEAM.
Click here to learn more about why we include our pronouns.
ALEX SUGGS
Co-Founder + Partner
(they/them)
LinkedIn
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Alex is a co-founder and DEI consultant that has partnered with small startups, Fortune 500 organizations, and leading higher education institutions to turn actionable insights into sustainable, systemic solutions. As a queer, neurodivergent, non-binary person, they have witnessed firsthand the importance of feeling empowered to bring one’s full self to life and to work. This fuels their mission to co-create communities and workplaces that enable others to do the same.
Alex has a strong understanding of how to generate stakeholder buy-in, build internal capabilities, and align accountability for transformational change. They have guided cross-functional, global senior leadership teams and DEI councils through assessments, strategic planning, and implementation; they also played an integral role in leading the global assessment for American Airlines following the 2017 NAACP travel advisory for African Americans. Alex has designed innovative, award-winning training offerings and blended learning ecosystems, including Google’s racial equity program and Brown University’s 2x Omni Award-winning e-learning on unconscious bias. As a result of this work, Alex was recognized as a Top 100 under 50 Emerging Leader by Diversity MBA.
Prior to co-founding Different, Alex worked at a global DEI firm as the Head of Consulting: Assessment and Strategy, IBIS Consulting Group where they became the youngest senior consultant in the firm’s 30-year history, and Boise State University where they co-developed the College of Business and Economics’ Inclusive Excellence Strategy – serving as a bridge builder between campus and the Boise business community.
Alex holds an MBA from Boise State University and a BA in Business Administration from the College of Idaho. They enjoy rock climbing, daily yoga, and spending time with their pup, Tucker, in sunny Southern California.
GRACE YI
Co-Founder + Forever Advocate
(she/her)
LinkedIn
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Grace is a co-founder and cheerleader from afar of Different. Purpose-driven in thought and practice, she seeks to empower and ensure the success of organizations by launching and scaling impact-oriented projects and startups while strengthening team development and organizational growth.
With a background in organizational management, community development, and project management, Grace has helped numerous teams and organizations create and structure their operations systems, standardize client and internal processes, as well as develop and implement unique user programming.
Prior to co-founding Different, Grace was the Head of Client Services at a global DEI firm, overseeing the development of systems and processes as well as staffing, managing, and mentoring client-facing teams and partners. She also managed all consulting and learning and development projects with Fortune 500 companies at Jennifer Brown Consulting. Strongly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the technology and entrepreneurship space, Grace continues to advocate and mentor young women and entrepreneurs of color to launch and grow their businesses and creative projects.
Grace holds a Masters degree from the University of Chicago, School of Social Work Administration and a BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Grace and her husband (a travel healthcare worker) are currently traversing the country from city to city while enjoying the great outdoors, paddle boarding, and fostering pets along the way.
MILKA MILLIANCE
Co-Founder + Partner
(she/her)
LinkedIn
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Milka is a co-founder, inclusion and equity strategist, leadership coach, facilitator and organizational change consultant. She is motivated by leading human-centered change efforts rooted in an individual and collective discovery process.
Milka is a highly skilled DEI practitioner with management consulting, executive coaching and leadership development facilitator expertise. She has 16+ years experience leading C-Suit consultations at Fortune 500 companies domestically and internationally.
She has a background in Cultural Anthropology/Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University and an MBA from Babson College Graduate School of Business. She is passionate about leadership, social justice, racial equity and entrepreneurship.
Prior to co-founding Different, she was the Head of Consulting: Impact and Implementation at a global DEI firm where she led and developed its change management and implementation services. She is the founder of We R Artemis Leadership, a woman's leadership an executive coaching company, and the author of multiple books, including Your Journey to Self Redefinition and Women Entrepreneurs and the Myth of Underperformance.
Milka’s areas of expertise in DEI include Organizational Assessments, Audits, Strategic Planning, Executive Coaching, Governance, Change Management, Implementation and gender parity practices. She honed her management consulting and executive coaching expertise at KPMG’s People & Change practice and Oliver Wyman’s Leadership Development practice prior to its integration into Mercer.
She currently lives in sunny Miami with her mini goldendoodle, Dami.
Bhavik (ભાવિક) R. Shah
Senior Consultant + Facilitator
(he/him)
LinkedIn
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Bhavik (ભાવિક) R. Shah is an award-winning leader and culture change strategist at the intersections of mental health and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging), with 16 years of global success across financial services, charter networks, and nonprofit foundations. He has partnered with global organizations such as BlackRock, Yahoo, Syneos Health, PGIM, Olly and more!
Additionally, before transitioning full-time within culture work, one of Bhavik's most substantial roles within the workplace mental health and DEIB space was as UK Mental Health Lead at Capco. Bhavik has successfully challenged organizational cultures to address workplace stressors to prioritize mental health.
Bhavik's leadership has earned him recognition in various global publications and awards from renowned platforms like Harvard Business Review and Fast Company. Recently, Bhavik has garnered accolades such as the 40 Under 40 Power List by Color Magazine and the Positive Role Model Award for Gender from the National Diversity Awards.
Bhavik lives in New York, not too far out from Manhattan, but far enough to enjoy the quiet.
DR. Paula Ioanide
Senior Consultant + Facilitator
(she/her)
LinkedIn
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Dr. Paula Ioanide has over 15 years of experience developing and conducting data-informed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings, assessments, coaching, and strategic planning. Applying her scholarly expertise and experience in qualitative research, Paula uses up-to-date data and best practices to help organizations engage in a DEI journey founded in awareness, compassion, and commitment.
Dr. Paula Ioanide is the author of The Emotional Politics of Racism: How Feelings Trump Facts in an Era of Colorblindness and co - editor of the anthology Antiracism Inc.: Why the Way We Talk About Racial Justice Matters . She has published extensively on issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, gender, and social inequalities. She obtained her PhD in History of Consciousness from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2008.
Paula has consulted and facilitated trainings and strategic planning with numerous businesses, firms, organizations, and governmental entities, including: NYSERDA, Office of the NY State Comptroller, NYS Office of Budget, NYS Community Action Agencies, Cayuga Health Systems, SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, New York Times Cooking, Taco Bell, Camp, ChartHop, Strivr, Wellthy, and Shiseido.
Jazmine Polite
Senior Consultant + Facilitator
(she/her)
LinkedIn
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Jazmine Polite is a skilled DEI leader, consultant, public speaker, and community activist who has dedicated 10+ years of her career to working with organizations and leaders to create environments centered around belonging and equity.
Throughout her career, Jazmine has advised organizations on the development and implementation of sustainable strategic plans that promote equity, drive systemic change, and support business objectives. She has a proven track record of working with global organizations across the tech, retail, consumer goods, non-pro fi t, education, and public service industries to build and develop leading equity initiatives, including Microsoft, Bridge Partners, Wayfair, and The City of New York.
As a DEI strategist, Jazmine has partnered with organizations to establish a global framework, build their DEI functions, and develop equitable policies. She’s supported performance management and learning and development teams to re fi ne their processes to ensure all employees have the access and opportunities to reach their career goals, and spearheaded the development of an enterprise-wide DEI scorecard that enabled leaders and stakeholders to develop an understanding of DEI while effectively prioritizing and embedding strategic initiatives into multi-year roadmaps.
Previous to becoming a leading diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist, Jazmine started her career in marketing and brand management, launching products in new markets globally and overseeing multi-year, multi-million marketing campaigns. As a marketer, she learned the importance of thoughtful research and detailed data analysis to inform strategies and its effectiveness. Utilizing this experience, Jazmine works hard to ensure all DEI strategies are backed by data, informed by research, and communicated effectively to all stakeholders to create a sustainable impact within an organization.
In her spare time, Jazmine enjoys traveling the world to experience and learn about other cultures and volunteering with organizations that support under-served and low income communities.
kevin lewis
Senior Consultant + Facilitator
(he/him)
LinkedIn
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Kevin is a skilled consultant, facilitator, and project manager with 10+ years in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sector. Driven by his values of equity, justice, and empathy, Kevin has committed his career to helping organizations advance their equity practices in order to cultivate spaces of authentic belonging and inclusion. His people-centered approach to facilitation and consulting helps people feel empowered to show up as their authentic selves in work that can oftentimes be challenging.
Jump-starting his career in higher education and multicultural a ff airs, Kevin has since served as a DEI project manager, coach, and facilitator for various organization types and businesses, nationally and internationally. He has held a client portfolio in sectors including but not limited to, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, health care, hospitality, and higher education institutions. He has trained various audiences on workshops across topics like antiracist practice, understanding social identities, identifying interpersonal and personal biases, supporting organizations to de-bias their onboarding and recruitment processes, and several other topics that are informed by best practices and research.
Kevin is based in Bulbancha, also known as New Orleans, Louisiana. As the Director of Curriculum and Training of a local nonprofit, Kevin leads the organization’s DEI curriculum and content design to drive impact.
Kevin holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Bowling Green State University and Indiana University Bloomington, respectively. He is an avid podcast listener and a runner, and he enjoys watching Ru Paul’s Drag Race with his partner and puppy.
OUR VALUES.
EMBODY INTEGRITY
Whatever we do, we do it with integrity. We prioritize relationships when working toward results, and impact over income. Every. Single. Time.
BE FOR EACH OTHER
We treat others the way they want to be treated by showing up and supporting each other, challenging each other to be better, and speaking hard and honest truths.
BE BOLD
We are willing to be brave, try new things, and do things differently. By pushing the boundaries on what feels possible, we can model for others what can be done when people are willing to be bold.
GET IT RIGHT
We don’t just work to get things done, but we also ensure we get it right. This means we value impact over expediency, and owning when we may make missteps so we can then make amends.
BE HUMBLE
We are committed to listening and learning and continually evolving our practice. We meet people and organizations where they are at without judgment – we just don’t let ‘em stay there.
BE HUMAN
We see each other for our whole humanity, lead with curiosity, and look for what unites us among our differences. We get real and stay human and enable others to do the same.
JOIN OUR JOURNEY.
We are looking for experienced and dynamic change agents to add to our growing team. Apply now!
Partnering with Different starts with an application so we can learn about your business. That’s because we only work with organizations we know we can help. There’s no obligation to move forward with us when you apply.
To apply, enter your work email address below and we’ll ask a few questions about your business. You’ll be invited to schedule a 30-minute call with a member of our team to see if we’re a good fit.
This call is all about you – there’s nothing you have to do or buy, and if we can’t help you, we’ll let you know right there on the call.
how to become a client partner.
DISCOVER WHAT DIFFERENT FEELS LIKE.
Learn how we can help you cultivate an inclusive and innovative workplace with greater resilience and responsiveness to change.