How to Future-Proof Your ERGs in 2025

Shenelle Brooks is an Associate Director on Seramount’s Advisory team, where she guides companies in developing impactful HR strategies through a DEI-focused lens. A SHRM-certified HR professional, Shenelle has over eight years of experience specializing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Her passion for creating inclusive workplaces is evident in her expertise with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where she has played a pivotal role in shaping their strategic direction and aligning them with global DEI initiatives.

Beyond her professional work, Shenelle serves on the boards of the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), City Year Philadelphia, and HopePHL, championing initiatives that uplift diverse communities. She holds a BA in Business Administration and Communications from The College of New Rochelle and an MS in Human Resource Management from Capella University, which she leverages to implement innovative strategies across both corporate and non-profit sectors.

A proud Bronx native, Shenelle is deeply attuned to the challenges faced by underserved communities and uses her platform to advocate for equitable opportunities. She is committed to educating others on the importance of inclusion and celebrating the unique stories that shape our identities. In her free time, Shenelle enjoys exploring new destinations, outdoor activities, and volunteering to support those in need.

Richelle Caday is a Senior Associate on the Advisory team at Seramount. In her role, she supports advisory on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) by developing presentations, generating resources, and conducting research that synthesizes complex ERG and DEI ideas into actionable solutions and best practices for partners. Richelle also leads Seramount’s ERG Impact Awards program by managing application and judging processes to  recognize ERGs and their leaders for championing best practices that drive measurable impact within their organizations and communities

Driven by community organizing and social advocacy, Richelle has a strong commitment to uplifting marginalized and underserved communities. Prior to Seramount, Richelle led student development and inclusion programs within higher education student affairs via cultural centers, cultural assemblies, and undergraduate student government. Heavily involved in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) spaces, Richelle has worked for and volunteered with various AANHPI nonprofits and community-based organizations at both local and national levels.

Richelle holds a BA in Psychology and in Nongovernmental Organizations and Social Change from the University of Southern California (fight on!). She is based in Los Angeles, California, where she was proudly born and raised. Richelle enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and going to the beach during her free time.

Nichelle Wash is a Director on the Advisory team at Seramount. She is a results-focused DEI leader who specializes in supporting key areas of DEI strategy. She has been the chair of DEI councils and quasi-government boards, building support for the senior leadership team to integrate DEI throughout their lines of business. This work resulted in culture and change management for employees across the enterprise that was focused on sustainability and scale. She has also overseen diversity recruitment and outreach efforts for organizations, providing real solutions to attract and retain employees with a focus on diverse hiring strategies. Nichelle is a sought-after facilitator who has delivered workshops around DEI for over a decade. She was recently recognized as Woman of the Year for her role in designing and delivering DEI education; hosting a precollege camp to increase the number of girls interested in coding and entrepreneurship; and she sourced projects to address homelessness and support pathways to housing security across her home state of Indiana.

Nichelle is an alumna of Indiana University Bloomington, where she started her career in health care and biomedical research before pivoting to a career in higher education. In her self-healing time, Nichelle enjoys listening to audiobooks, playing basketball, dancing to live music, and traveling.