In today’s rapidly evolving world, the call for inclusive leadership has never been more urgent — and few have answered that call as powerfully as the founder and CEO of Global Diversity Practice (GDP) and Inclusion Intelligence Practice (IIP). With roots grounded in personal legacy and a mission to redefine the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) landscape beyond Western paradigms, this trailblazing entrepreneur has built more than just businesses — she’s built movements.
From honouring her immigrant father’s journey to expanding culturally intelligent DEI strategies across China and the Middle East, her path is one of resilience, purpose, and innovation. In this interview, she opens up about navigating life-altering challenges, embracing technology like AI to transform her operations, and fostering a culture of belonging within her team. She also shares her vision for a more inclusive world — one where diversity isn’t just acknowledged but celebrated at the core of how we work, live, and lead.
From this standpoint, we had a meeting with Farrah Qureshi, Founder & CEO of Global Diversity Practice and Inclusion Intelligence Practice and we asked her…
Can you describe your entrepreneurial journey and the motivation behind starting your business?
My entrepreneurial journey started with multiple ambitions. Firstly, I wanted to honour the legacy of my beloved father who was an immigrant in the UK and had faced challenges and struggles to feel included. I wanted to pay tribute to his efforts and support that enabled me to succeed in my career. I, then, wanted to create a platform that provides global Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) services and address the western centric focus on D&I. This ambition gave birth to Global Diversity Practice (GDP) and was the bedrock of all my learnings over my career in academia, corporate and consulting. In addition to that, I had a real desire to support local talent in shining, achieving their potential, and contributing productively to the society. GDP provided me with the opportunity to uplift young talent and develop them for successful careers and my team at GDP is a proof of that, with individuals from various walks of life that have created an impact within organisations around the world through their learnings and skills. My ambition is not just limited to GDP, I have recently launched Inclusion Intelligence Practice (IIP) to service clients in the MENA region. Particularly, because I am in awe of the transformation that is taking place in the region to reshape the world of work and revolutionize how we approach the way we do work. Inclusion is at the heart of that revolution and with GDP’s learnings, I am excited to bring these solutions to the region in a manner that supports the ambition of the region.
How do you stay ahead of technological advancements in your industry, and how has this impacted your business model?
At GDP and IIP, we believe that becoming technologically-enabled in the way of the future. I have been a solid supporter of utilising the latest technologies to enable our success. This has manifested in the way we approach business, and also, the way we deliver our services. A key aspect within this journey as the CEO of the organisation is building a growth- and learning- mindset myself. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can imagine the endless possibilities that are available to us but also the nervousness around AI. My personal responsibility as leader has been to embrace this transformation heads on that would then enable my team members to feel safe and courageous to embrace this change. My ambition is to make GDP a truly tech driven organisation – whether that is through how we incorporate technology into our operations or how we use technology to best serve our clients. The world of technology is ever evolving at a great pace, and I am committed to ensure that we make the best out of the opportunities that it provides.
What role does artificial intelligence play in your current operations or future plans?
In all realms of our operations and services, GDP has embraced AI with an open spirit. For example, we know that time is the most valuable asset, so we have enabled AI features that support us in automating our processes. Similarly, as a consultancy firm, we are always collecting data and notes, AI has been a game changer in ensuring accuracy, due diligence, and most importantly, support our teams in focusing their attention and efforts in areas that really matter. We are leveraging AI in all our products and service delivery with the ambition to utilise AI as the ‘second brain’ that will support us in further enhancing everything we do – and then take it all to the next level. Leveraging AI has delivered us significant results as we have been able to ‘partner’ with it and utilize our years of knowledge and experience to strengthen our position as a global consultancy.
Can you share a significant challenge you’ve faced in your business and how you overcame it?
My journey has not been an easy one, but with the support of my team and my family I have been able to persevere and thrive. A few years ago, I underwent a major health crisis which landed me in a Coma. For me, this was a life changing moment where I had to take a pause and re-establish my priorities. I am thankful to my team who stepped in my place when I was recovering, and I am also proud of the environment that we have created in GDP where togetherness and care are fundamental to everything that we do. As in any small business, GDP also faces challenges that are impacted by the world around us. Specially, in the current space of D&I where the whole industry is experiencing severe backlash, there are always challenges that we are navigating. Having said that, I have built my business around the simple, yet powerful vision: The world is a better place through the power of inclusion. This vision has helped GDP cut through the noise and develop solutions for organisations that are organic and deliver true impact. I believe that having this simple, yet powerful, vision has not only enabled me, but also my team, to deliver the best services to our clients that we can stand behind and are proud of.
How do you approach strategic planning and decision-making in your organization?
As GDP has matured and IIP is taking its shape in servicing the MENA region, we have really embraced the data as our backbone. We approach everything with insights and data that help us contextualise and make the best decisions. I think being a consultancy firm in a blessing in disguise, as we are well-equipped in looking at the landscape and figuring out future-oriented directions. Communication and trust, for me, is really the key. We have built an environment at GDP where people have a say in the business’s direction. We embrace courageous conversations, building resilience, and providing the safety to challenge each other as a part of our mindset. So, I would say that strategic planning and decision-making at GDP and IIP takes place through the rigour of data and the mindset of inclusion.
What is your approach to leadership and fostering a positive company culture?
As the CEO of GDP and IIP – businesses that teach leaders and organisations on how to lead and operate inclusively – it is also a personal responsibility for me to practice what I preach. I practice what I learn and say every day in my own business as well. For me, becoming an inclusive leader means that every individual in my organisation feels that they have a place in the organisation, and they feel a sense of belonging which then fuels their efforts. I have created a positive culture at GDP through our ‘One Team’ ethos, where care, respect, and dignity are at the heart of everything that we do. Our values are Inclusion, Collaboration, and Excellence. These elements come together in our everyday behaviours and become the guiding light of our approach. Every member of my team is encouraged to speak up and also to speak up without a fear of judgement or punishment – this fosters psychological safety that enables us to thrive.
How do you ensure your business remains adaptable and responsive to market changes?
Adaptability, to me, is not just a strategy, it is a mindset that needs to be applied on an everyday basis. At GDP and IIP, we have worked hard to embed agility into the very DNA of who we are. The DEI landscape, like many others, is constantly evolving, with societal shifts, economic challenges, and technological advancements driving change at an unprecedented pace. We remain responsive by staying closely attuned to the global dialogue – always listening deeply to what’s happening across industries, regions, and communities.
I also believe in proactive foresight rather than reactive response. We don’t wait for trends to become mainstream – we strive to be ahead of them. Whether that means updating our methodologies, evolving our frameworks, or reimagining our delivery models, our teams are constantly learning, experimenting, and refining. Internally, we have cultivated a culture where feedback is welcomed and where change is not feared but embraced. We conduct regular ‘together moments’ to assess what’s working and what needs to evolve, ensuring that we never become stagnant.
Can you discuss a recent innovation or project that has been particularly successful for your company?
One of the most significant innovations we’ve implemented recently is the expansion and deep localisation of our services to meet the needs of global markets – particularly in China and now increasingly in the Middle East. At GDP, and now through IIP, we’ve adopted what we call a glocal approach – which enables a balance between global best practices and deeply rooted local cultural intelligence.
In China, for instance, we’ve worked closely with partners and clients to tailor our DEI frameworks to the unique cultural, linguistic, and organisational dynamics of the region. We recognised early on that a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work in today’s complex, interconnected world. So, we adapted everything – from our language and delivery models to our case studies and strategic priorities – to resonate locally while staying aligned with our global vision of inclusion.
This innovation has not only allowed us to expand our reach but also increased the relevance and impact of our services in these key regions. The feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve seen a marked improvement in engagement, understanding, and buy-in from leadership teams and employees alike.
Our focus now is to bring the same level of intentionality and cultural nuance to the Middle East, where we see an incredible opportunity to support the region’s bold transformation agendas with inclusive, future-ready strategies. It’s this glocal philosophy: Thinking globally, Acting locally – that continues to shape our success and set us apart in the market.
What are your long-term goals for your business, and how are you working towards achieving them?
My long term goal is to become the provider of choice and one-stop-solution for everything Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on a global scale. This is a strong ambition when the competition is strong. However, with the principles and values on which Global Diversity Practice (GDP) and Inclusion Intelligence Practice (IIP) – I believe we have it in us to deliver on this ambition. This is because we do not approach DEI as a temporary topic but as a mindset and a way of living. The mission to unlock the power of inclusion worldwide has enabled me to establish GDP and IIP as solid player in the scene. I aspire that we become a household name for organizations all over the world to deliver our services. How are we achieving this ambition? By delivering stellar services that make an impact at our clients, by ensuring that each service is bespoke, and by truly becoming partners with our clients as opposed to remaining outsider to our clients. This has enabled us to gain and maintain trust of our clients and also innovate with our clients where we push the boundaries together with them.
What advice would you give to emerging entrepreneurs in your industry?
To dream big and create a team or a group of individuals around you that believe in your mission as much as you do, or even more. It is challenging and sometimes even gets scary, however, that is the life of an entrepreneur. Keep a selected group of people around you that you can trust, be vulnerable around, and share your success and challenges with. Dream big but make a plan that is incremental and gets to your bigger picture vision, one day at a time.