Sameer Penakalapati

Sameer Penakalapati understands that data is the key to measuring the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion in the world of work today. As founder and CEO of Ceipal Corp. and CEO of both Accelerate Media and Indotronix Avani Group, his tactical approach to quantifying internal workforce composition and his commitment to diversifying candidate sourcing has made him an innovator. “The biggest lesson I have learned is if you do not have ways to measure trends or see just how your diverse talent is being sourced, then your areas of growth can be limited,” he explains.

Motivated by data, Penakalapati’s method of analyzing DE&I information has been influencing how leaders approach the diversity of their organizations for more than 16 years. “If we can measure sources of incoming talent through technology, we can really make a big difference,” he says. In 2023, Penakalapati spearheaded providing clients with insights into their hiring data over the last three years and how that data parallels against their current goals. “We are trying to educate the existing workforce on the importance of analytics and give them the tools to increase their DE&I efforts and objectives,” he explains.

If you do not have ways to measure trends or see just how your diverse talent is being sourced, then your areas of growth can be limited.

Penakalapati also initiated a company-wide policy for Indotronix Avani to reach 50% representation of women across the workforce, and he invested significantly in this commitment. His goal led to the development of robust infrastructure changes aimed at creating a supportive environment for female employees. To explain his passion and commitment, he points to his own personal experiences: “As an immigrant myself, I have seen the positive impact that having a diverse team with different perspectives and ideas can have on a business.”

As a future objective, Penakalapati has pinpointed diversifying the workforce in the remote and contingent labor markets. “There is a real opportunity for businesses to bring in their most diverse talent pool yet because it can extend potentially worldwide,” he says. “The hybrid and remote workforce can create more balance amongst DE&I initiatives, and embracing this subset of opportunity can single-handedly make organizations more inclusive than ever before.”