In a world where leadership is often measured by profit margins and growth charts, Ruchika Tulshyan has carved out a different legacy—one built on equity, empathy, and purposeful inclusion. As the founder and CEO of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm, she has devoted her career to creating workplaces where diversity is celebrated, belonging is nurtured, and leadership is redefined.
Ruchika Tulshyan: From Journalism to Inclusion Strategy
Before establishing herself as one of today’s most influential voices in workplace culture, Ruchika began her career as an international business journalist. Her background in storytelling sharpened her ability to communicate complex issues with clarity and resonance. It was this deep expertise in communication that later became the foundation for her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—helping organizations not just understand the “why” of inclusion but also embrace the “how.”
Her writing continues to be a powerful tool for change. Today, she contributes regularly to The New York Times and Harvard Business Review, where her articles on equity and inclusion spark global conversations. Among her most influential pieces is “Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome,” co-authored with Jodi-Ann Burey, which became one of the most-read articles in HBR’s history, reshaping how millions of professionals view workplace bias.
Building Candour – A Mission for Equitable Workplaces
At the heart of Ruchika Tulshyan’s impact is her company, Candour. With a data-driven and intersectional approach, Candour partners with leading organizations—including Microsoft, Amazon, Pixar, and even the U.S. Congress—to design strategies that foster true belonging. Unlike surface-level diversity initiatives, Ruchika’s methodology digs deep, uncovering systemic barriers and equipping leaders with actionable tools to dismantle them.
Through Candour, she has proven that inclusion is not just a corporate buzzword—it is a business imperative, a leadership advantage, and above all, a moral responsibility.
Ruchika Tulshyan: Author, Thought Leader, and Changemaker
Ruchika’s influence extends beyond consulting. She is a celebrated author whose books have inspired global audiences to rethink leadership and equity.
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The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality in the Workplace laid the groundwork for conversations on women’s leadership and systemic change.
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Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work (MIT Press, 2022) became the publisher’s top-selling book of the year, praised by Dr. Brené Brown as “transformative.”
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Her highly anticipated book, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success, is set to release in November 2025. This groundbreaking work challenges traditional notions of success and advocates for a culture of collaboration over competition.
Each of her works carries the same mission: to reimagine workplaces as spaces where every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive.
Global Speaker and Influencer
As a keynote speaker, Ruchika Tulshyan has captivated audiences at prestigious institutions, including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her ability to merge storytelling with data makes her sessions both intellectually stimulating and emotionally impactful. She has also addressed U.S. Congress, influencing policymakers on issues of equity and workplace culture.
Her voice resonates not just in boardrooms but also in classrooms, where she has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Washington and Seattle University. Over 300,000 learners have also enrolled in her LinkedIn Learning course, “Moving DEI from Intention to Impact,” proof of her ability to inspire change at scale.
Awards and Recognition
The world has taken note of her extraordinary work:
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Named to Thinkers50 Radar list (2019)
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Honored as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Gender Equality (2022)
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Recipient of the Jeanette Williams Award from Seattle Women’s Commission (2022)
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Featured as one of the Most Influential D&I Leaders multiple years in a row
These accolades reflect her consistent commitment to advancing equity, but they also underscore a deeper truth: she is not simply a strategist—she is a trailblazer reshaping the future of leadership.
Investor and Advocate for Women Founders
Beyond her professional achievements, Ruchika Tulshyan is also a dedicated investor in women-founded ventures such as Armoire, Graham & Walker VC, and Backstage Capital. By backing women entrepreneurs, she ensures that the change she champions inside workplaces is echoed in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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