Her Story
About Ripa
Ripa Rashid, MBA, is a culture transformation, inclusion, and leadership expert with more than 30 years of professional experience, including over two decades specializing in organizational culture and inclusion and an earlier decade in management consulting. As a Managing Director at Seramount, she leads the CDO Collaborative, engaging more than 150 global Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officers to advance evidence-based strategies that connect workplace culture, talent development, and business performance. She also advises organizations on culture consulting, helping leaders navigate organizational change, strengthen employee engagement, and build environments that support innovation, trust, and sustainable growth. Her global perspective is informed by her experiences living and working across Latin America, Asia, and Europe, as well as her work across financial services, media, and management consulting.
In addition to her consulting and executive leadership work, Ripa serves as an Adjunct Professor of Management at NYU Stern School of Business, where she teaches MBA and Executive MBA students about inclusive leadership and leading organizational change. Her areas of specialization include corporate culture transformation, emerging leadership paradigms, gender equity, talent strategy, and organizational effectiveness. She is also an author, speaker, and panelist who contributes to conversations about leadership, workplace culture, and the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and the employee experience. Her published works include Winning the War for Talent in Emerging Markets, Growing Global Executives, and Disrupt Bias, Drive Value, reflecting her commitment to helping organizations develop leaders, address systemic barriers, and connect culture initiatives with business objectives. Her previous leadership roles include Chief Inclusion Officer at Consumer Reports and Head of Inclusion and Managing Director at Cowen Inc.
Ripa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Astrophysics with honors from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and doctoral studies in the field from New York University, and an MBA from INSEAD. She has also pursued graduate-level study in artificial intelligence at NYU, with doctoral work completed to the ABD stage. Her interdisciplinary academic background informs her understanding of cultural identity, social dynamics, leadership, and organizational transformation. In 2022, she was recognized with the Outstanding 50 Award: Top 50 Asians in Business by the Asian American Business Development Council. She maintains connections with professional and alumni communities, including the Harvard Club of New York City, the Outstanding Asians Alumni Group, and INSEAD's Women in Business community. Ripa attributes her success to a continuous learning mindset, positive intent, accountability, integrity, transparency, and humility. She encourages emerging professionals to embrace their differences as a superpower, remain open to learning, and lead with a willingness to say yes to new opportunities, even when they require taking risks and growing along the way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ripa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to maintaining a learning mindset and approaching the world with humility and curiosity. I believe in being a constant learner, remaining open to new perspectives, and embracing opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. I also strive to assume positive intent in others and lead with accountability, integrity, and transparency. These values guide my decisions, strengthen my relationships, and help me navigate challenges with an open mind and a commitment to continuous improvement.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to embrace my differences and uniqueness as my superpower. Rather than trying to fit a particular mold, I’ve learned to recognize that my individual perspective, experiences, and strengths are valuable assets. Success is not just about the work I do or the skills I bring to the table; it is also about how I build relationships, collaborate with others, and combine my capabilities to create meaningful impact. By staying true to who I am and recognizing the value of what makes me different, I can bring a distinctive perspective to every opportunity.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be a sponge and embrace every opportunity to learn, especially early in your career. Stay curious, seek out new experiences, and learn from the people around you. I also encourage you to lead with a “yes” and be willing to take chances, even when you don’t meet every qualification for an opportunity. You don’t have to be 100% qualified to apply for a role or take on a new challenge. Trust in your ability to learn, adapt, and figure things out along the way. Be confident in what you bring to the table, remain open to growth, and don’t let self-doubt prevent you from pursuing opportunities that could shape your future.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the potential for continued growth through collaboration, relationship-building, and networking. Connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise creates opportunities to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and identify innovative ways to approach challenges. I believe that building meaningful professional relationships and remaining open to learning are essential to navigating an evolving industry. By embracing opportunities to grow, collaborate, and expand my network, I can continue developing my capabilities while contributing value to the people and organizations I work with.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are positive intent, accountability, integrity, transparency, and humility. I strive to approach others with the belief that they have positive intentions, which helps me build trust and maintain meaningful relationships. I believe in taking responsibility for my actions, following through on my commitments, and conducting myself with honesty and integrity. Transparency is equally important to me because open and authentic communication creates stronger relationships and fosters mutual understanding. Above all, I value humility and recognize that there is always more to learn, opportunities to grow, and perspectives worth understanding. These principles guide how I work with others, navigate challenges, and continue developing as a person and professional.
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