Grazi Mendes (Ela / Ella / She / Her)
About Grazi Mendes (Ela / Ella / She / Her)
Grazi Mendes serves as the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for LATAM at Thoughtworks since 2021 and is a co-founder of PONTE, a hub focused on diversity and inclusion. She has extensive experience in various educational and corporate roles, contributing to initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in the workplace.
Work at ThoughtWorks
Grazi Mendes has been serving as the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the LATAM region at ThoughtWorks since 2021. In this role, she focuses on advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the organization. Prior to this position, she worked at ThoughtWorks as the Head of People from 2016 to 2021, where she contributed to the development of people strategies and organizational culture.
Current Roles and Initiatives
In addition to her role at ThoughtWorks, Grazi Mendes is a co-founder of PONTE, a hub dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, established in 2020. She also serves as a council member at TeamHub since 2023. Furthermore, she is a guest professor at Fundação Dom Cabral and Perestroika, where she teaches leadership development programs. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive practices in various sectors.
Education and Expertise
Grazi Mendes has a diverse educational background. She studied at Columbia University, where she completed the Fellowship Columbia Women's Leadership Network in 2024. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in Design with a focus on the inclusion of Black women in technology from Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, completed in 2023. She also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Centro Universitário UNA and has pursued various postgraduate studies in Digital Marketing, Neuroscience, and Leadership.
Achievements and Recognition
Grazi Mendes received the Ser Humano prize in 2020 from ABRH for her contributions to people and culture. She was recognized as a Top 10 HR Influencer in 2021 by GOIntegro LATAM. Mendes is also a founding member of the Pacto de Promoção da Equidade Racial initiative and serves on the Council of Ambassadors for the Iniciativa Empresarial pela Igualdade Racial, highlighting her active role in promoting racial equity.
Public Speaking and Contributions
Grazi Mendes has contributed to the discourse on diversity and inclusion through various platforms. She is a columnist for MIT Sloan Management Review Brasil, where she shares insights on these critical topics. Additionally, she delivered a TEDx talk titled 'Coragem como Movimento de Futuro,' emphasizing the importance of courage in driving future movements towards inclusivity.