Transforming workplace cultures through innovation and inclusion
At Different, we believe in the power of culture to shape the future of work. We’re a team of experienced consultants, facilitators and strategists, united by a common goal: to create more inclusive, innovative and high-performing workplaces. Our approach is rooted in agile methodology and co-creation, enabling us to partner with organizations to design solutions that solve today’s challenges while paving the way for sustained success.
Our unwavering mission
Our mission is to help organizations build thriving, inclusive cultures where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute. We believe that culture transformation starts from within, and we’re here to help businesses unlock the potential of their people through inclusive practices, agile strategies and data-driven insights.
Our ambitious vision
Our vision is a world where every workplace is a reflection of diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership. We aim to drive lasting cultural change that enhances team performance, fosters innovation and equips organizations to meet the demands of tomorrow. Through our work, we strive to create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging and where equity and inclusion are the foundation of success.
Our values
Co-Creation
We believe in working collaboratively with our clients to develop solutions that reflect the unique voices within their organizations.
Agility
We remain nimble and agile to effectively respond to changing needs and continuously refine strategies for the best results.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating workplaces where all voices are heard, everyone has access to opportunity, and diversity is seen as a strength.
Innovation &
Impact
We don’t just aim for change—we aim for measurable, lasting impact that drives innovation, better business outcomes and stronger cultures.
Meet our talented team of change agents
The Different team is a diverse group of seasoned consultants and industry experts with a deep commitment to creating more inclusive workplaces. Our team has decades of experience working with leading organizations to develop strategies that deliver real, tangible results that propel businesses forward.
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.
Mahal Maningas
Operations Manager
(they/them)
LinkedIn
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Mahal (Muh-hAl) is a former educator turned Admin and Operations virtuoso with a knack for systems-building, organizational structure, and company culture. At the heart of their practice, Mahal employs communication, compassion, and collaboration in every aspect of their work. Guided by the principles of DEIA, Mahal believes that the employee experience is the most effective way for a business to achieve financial success.
Prior to their role at Different, Mahal provided executive support for multiple organizations in the non-profit, mental health, and startup sectors. Their contributions are memorialized in the foundations of these institutions, in policy and practice, as well as culture. They have built operations from the ground up, from organizational structure to equitable policies, each decision made with great intention and backed by research. By taking a holistic and systems approach to operations, Mahal can see the big picture AND all the details, therefore finding unique connections and creating innovative solutions.
Mahal believes that the best and most effective decisions are made when there is trust, transparency, and cross-functional collaboration, and they see their role as a critical position to facilitate these elements. They are thrilled to be part of Different and to have the opportunity to contribute to the success of this practice.
Outside of Different, Mahal enjoys reading tarot, watching anime, and blasting music in the car with the windows down.
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.
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.
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.
Let’s reimagine the future of work—together.
Consider us your long-term partners in your culture transformation journey. We combine deep expertise with a commitment to co-creation, ensuring that every solution we design is as unique as the people in your organization.
Book a free 30-minute consultation for one of our experts to discuss your goals.