RAND Corporation selects Rekha Chiruvolu as Chief Diversity Officer
Our partners at RAND Corporation, a global think-tank and research organization, recently named Rekha Chiruvolu its Chief Diversity Officer (CDO).
Chiruvolu brings two decades of legal experience and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expertise to the role—most recently serving as the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for global law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.
“Diversity is about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to be the best version of themselves in an organization,” Chiruvolu shares.
Stepping into this role on July 10, Chiruvolu has her sights set on immersing herself in RAND Corporation’s culture of thought leadership.
“Whether I’m at a law firm or a global think tank, DEI initiatives boil down to one thing: people,” Chiruvolu shares. “Such transferable skills are building trust, cultivating relationships, and understanding the nuances of the particular organization because no two organizations are the same—and there’s no blanket roadmap.”
Her career as an attorney gives Chiruvolu a unique perspective as she approaches her role at RAND Corporation.
“Attorneys are trained to see all angles of an issue—to really make sure we are prepared for every counterargument, for every fact that challenges our positions and beliefs,” she says. “These skills are an asset in DEI work because they help tailor our approach.”
“One of the things that interested me about this position with RAND is that it presented an opportunity to be part of an organization that is doing impactful work on some of the most important issues around the globe. In addition to the internal DEI work at RAND, it was also an opportunity to impact the research side to help ensure that the important work RAND is doing reflects the diversity of our global communities and the people impacted by these issues”
Tailoring her approach is Chiruvolu’s exact mission.
From law school at Rutgers University to her years in business litigation and employee relations, Chiruvolu is proud of her impact on the legal field.
“As an industry that prides itself on justice and equality, it’s one of the least diverse in the country, but we are seeing it move in the right direction,” she says.
Reflecting on her career, Chiruvolu champions this next role as a “full-circle moment.”
“When I was in law school, I always knew I wanted to do work that would have a global impact,” Chiruvolu shares. “One of the things that interested me about this position with RAND is that it presented an opportunity to be part of an organization that is doing impactful work on some of the most important issues around the globe. In addition to the internal DEI work at RAND, it was also an opportunity to impact the research side to help ensure that the important work RAND is doing reflects the diversity of our global communities and the people impacted by these issues. It brings me back to what I wanted to do early in my career.”
Nexus is grateful to play a part in this meaningful role. In every partnership, it’s our mission to locate candidates who are value-aligned with our client’s goals. The compatibility between Chiruvolu and RAND Corporation was evident from the start, and we’re excited to witness their partnership’s impact on a global scale.
“Nexus’s process was open and transparent—it felt seamless,” she shares. “The team was always willing to answer my questions and made sure I was comfortable in every step of the process.”
Chiruvolu’s passion for DEI is inspiring, and we’re confident her expertise will elevate RAND Corporation’s continued impact as a global research organization.
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