Shani Dhanda is a leading diversity and inclusion (D&I) consultant who has educated over 250 audiences through her keynotes. Sharing insights at the United Nations, World Expos and more, Shani brings a new perspective to many of her listeners. Her 2023 TEDx Talk, ‘Why Diversity and Inclusion Are More Than Someone’s Job Title’, builds on her most popular speaking themes, including meaningful inclusion, challenging stigma and addressing bias. As a trusted voice within the D&I field, she has offered her services to major brands such as Virgin Media, ITV and Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
Shani graduated from Wolverhampton University with a degree in Events and Venue Management in 2011, but faced unique challenges when trying to find a job, often being judged unfairly due to her genetic condition. Determined not to let these experiences hold her back, she went on to be an event manager for over ten years. Immensely passionate about helping those with similar experiences, Shani began working with several D&I charities, including Cysters, Scope and Styleability.
Shani is now a trusted D&I consultant, holding nine executive and advisory roles, and acting as an ambassador for five national disability organisations. In 2017, she created the Diversability Card to reduce the higher cost-of-living prices for disabled people. Since then, Shani has founded the Asian Disability Network and the Asian Woman Festival. In 2024, Shani began serving as Chair of the Disability Journalism Forum, working to improve the representations of disabled workers in the media industry. In 2025, she co-founded the Access to Work Collective and Accessible Events Show, services designed to help disabled employees and create more inclusive events.
For her outstanding work within D&I, Shani has received over thirty awards and honours. In 2020, she was named as one of the BBC's 100 Women Laureates for her inspirational story and commitment to helping those with disabilities. Shani has also appeared on several influential lists, including Business Live’s 35 under 35, ICS’s Six Most Influential Women in the New World of Work and Inclusive Companies’ Diversity Powerlist. Recognised as the UK’s most influential disabled person by the Shaw Trust in 2023, Shani was further honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences from the University of Wolverhampton.
Shani Dhanda is a compelling speaker on diversity and inclusion who delivers candid, engaging and thought-provoking talks. With profiles in major publications, including CNN, HuffPost and the Financial Times, Shani makes D&I clear and accessible for a variety of audiences. Dedicated to making a difference, Shani is the perfect motivational and inspirational guest speaker for your event. Book Shani Dhanda with Champions today!
- 2025 - Co-founder of Access to Work Collective and Accessible Events Show
- 2025 - Awarding Juror for Glass: The Lion for Change at Cannes Lions
- 2024 - BBC Radio Host on the Asian Network Motivation
- 2024 - Wrote "No Horn Unicorn", a children's educational book
- 2024 - Chair of the Disability Journalism Forum
- 2024 - Inducted into the University of Wolverhampton’s Alumni Hall of Fame
- 2024 - Named on Inclusive Companies’ Diversity Powerlist
- 2024 - Diversity on the Media Award from the Asian Media Awards
- 2023 - Named London’s Most Influential of 2023 by the Asian Standard
- 2023 - Named Shaw Trust’s Most Influential Disabled Person in the UK
- 2023 - Founding member of Birmingham Disability Festival
- 2023 - Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences from the University of Wolverhampton
- 2023 - Brightlist Inclusion Advocate Award from Allbright
- 2022 - Executive Board Member for Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
- 2022 - Named One of the Six Most Influential Women in the New World of Work by ICS Learn
- 2022 - TEDx Talk ‘Why diversity and inclusion is more than someone’s job title’
- 2022 - Advisory Board Member for the Nuffield Foundation
- 2022 - Global Ambassador for Purple Tuesday
- 2022 - Committee Member for the Disability Journalism Forum
- 2022 - Contribution to Society Award by the University of Wolverhampton
- 2022 - Named one of the world’s leading changemakers to keep an eye on in 2022 by CEO Magazine
- 2022 - Became a Fellow, issued by The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
- 2021 - Cultural Advisory Council Member for ITV
- 2021 - Network Expansion Belonging Lead for Virgin Media
- 2021 - Campaign of the Year from the European Diversity Awards
- 2021 - Named the 2nd most influential disabled person in the UK by the Shaw Trust
- 2021 - Business Live’s 35 under 35 list
- 2021 - Became a Fellow, issued by the Society of Leadership Fellows
- 2021 - One of CEO Magazine’s Sixteen Most Influential Women in Leadership
- 2020 - BBC's 100 Women Laureate
- 2020 - Outstanding Contribution to Communities Award from Investing in Ethnicity
- 2018 - Founder of the Asian Disability Network
- 2017 - Founder and Festival Director of the Asian Woman Festival
- 2017 - Founder of Diversability Card
- 2012 - Trustee for The Sutlej Trust
How to hire Shani Dhanda
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Shani Dhanda for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
