Virtual Learning Cohorts: A New Approach to ERG Leader Training and Certification

James is a Managing Director and Head of New Partner Development for Seramount’s DEI Research Partnership. In this capacity he is responsible for supporting new partner organizations by setting them up for success in unlocking the value of the membership.

Before taking on the leadership of the New Partner Development team across all industries, James specialized in supporting Seramount partners in Retail, Hospitality and Sports, and also managed the development of Seramount’s Learning Solutions.

Prior to joining Seramount, James has worked within multiple industries across more than 30 countries with experience in technology applications for DEI, IT Accessibility, and advancing health equity and access. Additionally, James spent 10 years overseeing the development of the international research membership at EAB’s former healthcare division in Latin America, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

James resides in Miami, Florida, and in his spare time enjoys kayaking and other water sports as well as teaching HIIT classes.

Dr. Shyama Venkateswar is currently the Senior Director, Learning, at Seramount, where she heads up the development and design of tailored DEI curriculum and workshops based on client needs to tackle complex workplace culture and talent challenges.

In 2021, she was appointed to the NYC Commission on Gender Equity by the Mayor of New York. She has more than 20 years of experience in addressing social and policy issues, and has built her career in the higher-education and nonprofit space.

Most recently, Shyama served as director of the Public Policy Program at Roosevelt House and as a faculty member at Hunter College, City University of New York, a position that she held for eight years. There, she led the expansion and governance of the program, crafted new and innovative curriculum, taught the Capstone curriculum, and played an instrumental role in implementing initiatives for student and faculty development, with a focus on providing opportunities for first-generation learners, immigrants, undocumented and other underrepresented students through comprehensive mentoring programs.

Before arriving at Hunter College Public Policy Program, Shyama was director of Research and Programs at the National Council for Research on Women (now merged with the International Center for Research on Women). In this role, she helped provide the vision and strategic direction of the council’s policy agenda on economic security and women’s leadership, and received grants from foundations and corporate philanthropy. Shyama has also served as the founding director of Mercy Corps’ Action Center to End World Hunger, and as director of the Asian Social Issues Program at the Asia Society.

Shyama is a graduate of Smith College and received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in political science.