In this episode of DEI Matters, we sit down with Asha Parmar, Associate Director at C Space and recognized innovator, to explore how AI intersects with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in research.

Asha shares her perspective on:

• How AI can support human insight work.
• The risks of bias and misrepresentation in generative AI.
• Practical steps to embed DEI into AI practices.

A thought-provoking conversation for anyone interested in the future of inclusive, responsible research.

Recorded August 8, 2025

Asha Parmar, Associate Director at C Space, a business unit of Escalent. Asha leads generative AI exploration for the Tech & Financial Services team and founded C Space’s Behavior Lab, which drives educational initiatives and uncovers commercial opportunities. Recognized by Women in Innovation as a top innovator, she is known for helping organizations navigate AI adoption while advocating for responsible use and inclusivity.

In this episode of DEI Matters, we speak with Kisha Payton, Chief Belonging & Inclusion Officer at Escalent, about building cultures of belonging in the insights industry. Kisha shares how Escalent’s Inclusion Network is shaping change, the challenges of sustaining DEI amid political and budget pressures, and why equity must remain at the center of inclusion efforts.

Recorded August 7, 2025

Kisha Payton is the Chief Belonging & Inclusion Officer at Escalent, a top research, data analytics and advisory firm. Kisha brings 20 years of cross-sector experience in nonprofit, legal, and for-profit spaces to challenge conventional thinking on inclusion. At Escalent she drives the integration of belonging & inclusion across the enterprise, leads the client-facing Cultural Advisory Group and focuses on building a lasting, holistic inclusive infrastructure. Before joining Escalent, she spent 14 years at C Space, where she established the employee‑resource‑group program and led the company’s DEI ThinkTank.

Kisha earned a Juris Doctor from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Spelman College. She is widely recognized for her innovative communications and change‑management initiatives and her passion for creating inclusive cultures.

In this episode of DEI Matters, we sit down with Cecilia Yudin, Director of the Center for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Boston University's Questrom School of Business. Cecilia shares her perspective on what meaningful DEI policy looks like at the university level—and why it matters.

We explore how DEI strategies must align with an institution’s broader goals to create lasting impact and discuss the critical role access to opportunity plays in driving equity. From policy design to student experience, this conversation offers valuable insights for organizations looking to lead with purpose and create real change.

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