Singh preaches benefits of inclusive, diverse workforce

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With nearly a decade of experience in leading diversity and inclusion programs for Fortune 50 companies, Ritika Singh clearly understands the benefits of having a diverse workforce.

“No two people have the same fingerprint in this world,” she said. “That tells you how uniquely we are created by nature. Diversity and inclusion is one way to appreciate that uniqueness.”

Companies who recognize those benefits will be able to make the most of the various perspectives that people with different backgrounds can bring. Her passion to instill these ideas is what drove her to enter this field.

Before moving to the Milwaukee area, Singh had worked as a diversity, inclusion and wellness manager at ESPN/The Walt Disney Co.

Her professional accomplishments have included developing diversity and inclusion-awareness programs for employees and business leaders; carrying out global diversity and inclusion action plans; and leading a global strategic recruiting council.

Singh has also supported various national and regional diversity groups, such as the National Black MBA Association, Society of Women Engineers and The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, to name a few.

She also has experience in speaking in public and serving on panels. Singh said she welcomes any opportunity to share her ideas and experiences with others.

“I truly believe that knowledge and information is about sharing, and it’s not about holding it to yourself,” she said. “ … I believe in rising as a whole, not just as an individual.”

Above all, Singh believes that companies have a responsibility to have more inclusive workplaces. The benefits of diversity can be felt both within the company and society.

It should be no surprise that Singh, who is proficient in four languages and wants to learn even more, loves learning about other cultures. She stressed it is important that people expose themselves to different ways of life.

“Learning about languages is another way to learn about cultures, and that is what intrigues me,” she said. “That is important because you have to realize yours is one perspective that you live in day in and day out, and there are several other perspectives and cultures each having another beauty of their own. That difference is beautiful.”