BAME Network at IBM

Minal Mehta is a Senior Digital Strategy Consultant at IBM iX, driving technical change globally for clients in the finance, media and industrial sectors. As a Certified Scrum Master, she is currently leading delivery of Salesforce for a client in Financial Services. Minal is a recognised ambassador for Diversity & Inclusion at IBM. She is a core team member of IBM UK’s BAME employee network and iX Diversity Council. To make the workplace more welcoming and inclusive, Minal launched eMentoring in 2017 (37 KCL mentees and IBM mentors) and Uni Insight initiative in 2018 (50 BAME students) with Kings College University, highlighting STEM careers.

She recruited BAME IBM employees to showcase emerging technologies, such as Robotics, Cognitive/AI and Blockchain and organised a panel of BAME graduates to host a Q&A session. Minal has won several internal awards including Inclusion Champion of the Quarter and for her work on University Insight. Following being awarded a place in 2018 EMpower 50 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders list, she is now recognised as a Role Model internally and externally: shortlisted in the 2019 Asian Women of Achievement Awards – Technology and Digital; and invited to share knowledge on BAME D&I with IBM’s clients at panel events, resulting in reverse mentoring requests from senior leadership. Minal has been invited to speak at universities and mentors several students, promoting STEM careers to young BAME individuals. She also works with “Shiva Soundsystem”, aiming to challenge the perception of Asian culture in the UK across music, film, radio and events.