Parmesh Shahani
Parmesh Shahani is an author, public speaker, culture curator, and inclusion advocate.
Parmesh’s unique insights on diversity and inclusion inspire transformative leadership.
Jyoti Nair
FintechWatch Parmesh Shahani Deliver Impactful Motivational Sessions
mumbai
english, hindi
10+ years
diversity & inclusion, creativity, mental health, business, culture
About Parmesh Shahani
Parmesh Shahani is a leading Indian author, public intellectual, culture curator, and one of the most influential voices on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate and social ecosystem. With a rare, hyphenated career that spans academia, media, entrepreneurship, and large-scale corporate transformation, Parmesh brings both intellectual depth and lived experience to every platform he speaks on. He is widely recognised for shaping progressive conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion, leadership and mental well-being.
As the founding head of the Godrej DEI Lab at Godrej Industries Group, Parmesh played a pivotal role in reimagining inclusion strategies across one of India’s largest conglomerates. Through bold cultural experiments, policy reforms, and storytelling-led interventions, he helped position Godrej as a global case study for workplace inclusion.
An acclaimed author, Parmesh wrote Gay Bombay—a landmark book on identity and globalization in urban India—and Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace, which won the CK Prahalad Award for Best Business Book. In recent years, his writing, podcasts, and keynote addresses have focused on Gen Z leadership, mental health at work, inclusive innovation, and navigating identity in times of rapid change. His global fellowships, including TED Senior Fellow, Yale World Fellow, Aspen Fellow, and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader—reflect his stature as a global thought leader.
As a speaker, Parmesh Shahani brings warmth, clarity, and courage to conversations often considered uncomfortable. His talks resonate deeply with corporate leaders, HR professionals, educators, students, and creative communities. Booking Parmesh Shahani for an event ensures not just inspiration, but meaningful dialogue that leads to real cultural change.
Parmesh Shahani is a leading Indian author, public intellectual, culture curator, and one of the most influential voices on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate and social ecosystem. With a rare, hyphenated career that spans academia, media, entrepreneurship, and large-scale corporate transformation, Parmesh brings both intellectual depth and lived experience to every platform he speaks on. He is widely recognised for shaping progressive conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion, leadership and mental well-being.
As the founding head of the Godrej DEI Lab at Godrej Industries Group, Parmesh played a pivotal role in reimagining inclusion strategies across one of India’s largest conglomerates. Through bold cultural experiments, policy reforms, and storytelling-led interventions, he helped position Godrej as a global case study for workplace inclusion.
An acclaimed author, Parmesh wrote Gay Bombay—a landmark book on identity and globalization in urban India—and Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace, which won the CK Prahalad Award for Best Business Book. In recent years, his writing, podcasts, and keynote addresses have focused on Gen Z leadership, mental health at work, inclusive innovation, and navigating identity in times of rapid change. His global fellowships, including TED Senior Fellow, Yale World Fellow, Aspen Fellow, and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader—reflect his stature as a global thought leader.
As a speaker, Parmesh Shahani brings warmth, clarity, and courage to conversations often considered uncomfortable. His talks resonate deeply with corporate leaders, HR professionals, educators, students, and creative communities. Booking Parmesh Shahani for an event ensures not just inspiration, but meaningful dialogue that leads to real cultural change.
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Career Highlights and Achievements of Parmesh Shahani
Author – Gay Bombay
Authored the bestselling book Gay Bombay
Author – Queeristan
Wrote Queeristan: LGBTQ Inclusion in the Indian Workplace
CK Prahalad Award for Best Business Book
Queeristan received the prestigious CK Prahalad Award for Best Business Book
TED Senior Fellow
Selected as a TED Senior Fellow
Yale World Fellow
Chosen as a Yale World Fellow for his work
Young Global Leader – World Economic Forum
Recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader
Utrecht University – Impakt Fellow
Awarded the Impakt Fellowship for his cultural and academic contributions.
Head – Godrej DEI Lab
Led the Godrej DEI Lab, driving path-breaking diversity, equity & inclusion
Board Member – Breakthrough Trust & Khoj
Serves on the boards of leading social and cultural organisations
Global DEI & Leadership Speaker
Delivered keynote talks and sessions across corporates
Culture Curator & Inclusion Advocate
Continued influence as a culture curator shaping conversations
Why Parmesh Shahani ?
Snapshots of Parmesh Shahani
Showcasing some prominent images and videos of Parmesh Shahani including our previous events and other endeavors.
Parmesh Shahani
Parmesh Shahani is an author, public speaker, culture curator, and inclusion advocate.
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FAQs
Parmesh Shahani is an author, cultural commentator and one of India's best-known voices on LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion, listed as an author speaker on engage4more. He founded and leads the Godrej DEI Lab within the Godrej group.
engage4more's profile notes that Parmesh Shahani heads the Godrej DEI Lab, which helps Indian companies build diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces, and he previously founded the Godrej India Culture Lab.
engage4more notes that Parmesh Shahani wrote Queeristan, a practical guide to LGBTQIA+ inclusion at the Indian workplace, and Gay Bombay, an earlier study of queer life and community in the city.
engage4more's profile notes that Queeristan makes the business and human case for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Indian companies, sharing practical steps on policy, hiring, culture and allyship drawn from real workplace experience.
engage4more features Parmesh Shahani for talks on diversity, equity and inclusion, LGBTQIA+ inclusion at work, inclusive leadership, culture and creativity, and building workplaces where people can bring their whole selves.
Yes. engage4more lists Parmesh Shahani for corporate keynotes, leadership sessions, Pride Month events and panel discussions, where his experience inside a large Indian business group gives audiences practical, credible guidance.
engage4more recommends Parmesh Shahani for DEI events because he combines advocacy with real corporate implementation, helping companies move from intent to policies, benefits and everyday culture that genuinely include people.
engage4more lists Parmesh Shahani's speaker profile and facilitates booking enquiries for corporate, DEI and literary events. Contact the team at activities@engage4more.com or +91-8044186906 with your event date, city and format.
Parmesh Shahani's fee depends on the event location, format, duration and audience. engage4more shares a customised quote after reviewing your event brief, so include your date, city and session type when you enquire.
engage4more recommends Parmesh Shahani for Pride Month programmes, DEI conferences, HR leadership forums, literature festivals and corporate culture sessions where thoughtful, practical inclusion conversations are the goal for leaders and employees alike.
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