We can design a better future
I help you make the most of a full mix of people to bring better outcomes to life. My DEI breakthroughs help you design new and inclusive ways of working to achieve what you care about most. As we collaborate, you’ll cultivate the collective superpower that can generate groundbreaking results time and again. That’s critical to advancing DEI and business success together. And that’s what we need to sustainably solve our most complex challenges in business and society.
My Commitment to DEI
I know that we can – and must – make the most of a full mix of people to address our most complex challenges in business and society. We need innovation to overcome the traps and gaps between the promise and practice of DE&I. That’s why I help organizations with new ways of thinking and working to advance performance, fulfill purpose, and prepare for a sustainable future with DE&I breakthroughs.
This bold ambition stems from a wealth of research evidence. It also builds on three decades of global experience with deep expertise in DE&I as a Fortune 100 executive, business advisor, innovator, and think tank senior fellow. My work spans all sectors around the globe with organizations ranging from startups and scaleups to many of the largest multinational companies and foundations around the globe. When it comes to achieving results with DEI, I know what works and what does not.
My background informs key principles in my work. We must:
Move beyond words, actions, and programs with a focus strategies that achieve lasting outcomes
Treat DE&I like any other business driver
Reshape the future with holistic, systemic, sustainable change
Boldly innovate to overcome the traps and gaps between the promise and practice of DE&I
Engage collaborative design thinking to create custom DE&I solutions that deliver valuable impacts
Embrace authenticity and integrity to say what’s needed and do what’s right to achieve results
My work is customized to your needs and context, cultivates individual and organizational potential, and delivers impacts improving performance, future preparedness, and purpose.
Business advisor, Speaker, Soundboard, Coach, Influencer
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Advanced DEI strategies can enable, enhance, and accelerate the outcomes you and your organization must achieve.
The status quo won’t get you there.
But we can do better.
What experts say about my work
“Rebekah partnered with our executive team to design a customized, innovative, business-linked D&I strategy. We had Rebekah present to our leadership forum where she provided an engaging, interactive speech helping reinforce senior leaders’ commitment to make the most of D&I as we work to achieve our ambitious goals, in particular those related to customer engagement, talent acquisition, and of reducing our customers’ greenhouse gas emissions. Progressive, positive, and practical, Rebekah’s leading insights make a difference in enhancing D&I’s value proposition.” - Roger Dall'Antonia, President and CEO at FortisBC
“My journey started with Rebekah when she participated on a panel at Sobeys Innovation Conference last year. The panel discussion topic was unlocking Innovation through culture, diversity and inclusion. Rebekah’s insights and expertise in diversity, inclusion and the link to innovation was mind shifting and progressive beyond traditional approaches. I have continued to partner with Rebekah and she is a true partner in guiding and supporting the incredible and important work of Diversity and Inclusion at Sobeys.” - Heather DeBlois, Director Diversity & Inclusion at Sobeys
“Rebekah can envision where D&I work should be in the next 50 years and execute what needs to be done today to lay the foundation in systems, structures and more importantly, mindset…She does this with the grace and skill of a diplomat and the authenticity of a close friend—a rare and refreshing combination” - Nadia Younes, Global Group Adviser, Diversity and Inclusion, EDGE, Switzerland
“Rebekah’s a leading thinker and doer in understanding the power of diversity and inclusion to drive innovation and growth” -Michael Docherty, author, Collective Disruption and new business creation at the intersection of large corporations and startups”
"Rebekah is a leading expert in D&I and brings important and innovative ideas and insights to everything she does, consistently pushing into new territory. She is one of the best listeners I've encountered, listening actively and encouraging others to share their thoughts and ideas as openly as possible." - Alison Maitland, co-author of Why Women Mean Business and Future Work, United Kingdom
“This is some of the most innovative Inclusion and strategy work being done in our field today, Rebekah. A true pleasure to follow you, breakthrough after breakthrough. Kudos.” -Mary Farmer, Management Professor and Consultant, Switzerland and Canada
“It’s my great pleasure to recommend Ms. Rebekah Steele as a coach to individuals who wish to grow as D&I lead or change agent. I find the experience extremely fulfilling, pleasant and precious." - Hisako Kaneko, Chief Diversity Officer, Japan
“Rebekah has changed paradigms about what diversity is about, who it applies to (everyone) and how it can be leveraged to yield tangible business results.” - Michelle Grocholsky, Senior Manager, Client Experience, BMO Canada
“Rebekah brings a highly evolved and integrated systems approach with contemporary leadership, supportive coaching and a high involvement mindset… an always refreshing and authentic viewpoint.” - Tim Galusha, Principal, TMG Associates USA
"Thank you for an inspiring and thought provoking salon. My mind is still spinning with insights and a fresh awareness of how much more effective I and the charities I'm involved with could be in truly taking a community-based, inclusive approach." - Karen Greve-Young, Director Strategic Initiatives, MaRS Discovery District, Canada
Educational Background
In completing my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at William and Mary, I built a strong understanding of organizational dynamics, cultural norms, and social stratification challenges, as well as a foundation of quantitative and qualitative research and statistical methods. William and Mary’s liberal arts setting provided an interdisciplinary, systems thinking orientation fostering my continuing cross-fertilization of ideas and heuristics across disciplines, rigorous critical thinking skills, and a systemic approach to sustainable change. It also reinforced my broad curiosity and eagerness to keep learning.
I continued my education with a Master's degree from the Institute for Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois. This built the base of my business acumen and strategic human resources management capabilities. My classroom learning was augmented by an internship to build a marketing plan and an independent exploration of strategic diversity management beyond compliance and about more than simply appreciating differences.
Continuing professional development has included Executive Education at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and the College of Executive Coaching, as well as courses in marketing, finance, leadership, change management, restorative justice and innovation.
I have a voracious appetite for opportunities to apply my insights and experiences to make a difference with results that matter with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Learning Highlights
MLIR, University of Illinois, USA
BA, William and Mary, USA
University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business - Executive Education
College of Executive Coaching
Courses in marketing, finance, leadership, change management, restorative justice, and social innovation generation