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iii DEIB Fellows

A Note from our DEIB Team Lead

"Through collaboration & input from all levels of our Integrated Innovation Institute community, our iii Equity in Action committee strives to combat the barriers of inequity that exist in higher education. Each person's contributions are not only a testament of dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion -- they are also a commitment to doing truly meaningful work with an impact that spans beyond our day-to-day duties. I am excited to be a part of a team that is committed to working together to create an environment of respect and to ultimately contribute to a future that is better for all."

Leia Delabahan, Senior Academic & Student Services Advisor

DEIB Fellows & Overview

2024 - 2025 Fellows

Shubhaa Chawla
MIIPS '25

Shubhaa is a doctor by background and working during the first wave of COVID inspired her to explore technology solutions. This passion led her to transition into a role as a product manager at a health-tech firm. Additionally, Shubhaa has volunteered with numerous NGOs and organizations, believing that leading by example can spark a ripple effect of kindness and empathy. In the long term, she aspires to innovate solutions in the field of preventive physical and mental health.

Shubhaa is deeply passionate about health and practices yoga and meditation daily. She also enjoys gardening, swimming, singing, and playing musical instruments. Shubhaa is an avid reader and occasionally participates in slam poetry. Lastly, Shubhaa loves traveling to new places, which brings joy to her soul!

Sahaana Das
MSSM '25

Sahaana Das is a tech-savvy marketing aficionado dedicated to using technology to drive meaningful change and build an equitable, sustainable future. With a Computer Science undergrad, an MBA in Marketing, and experiences at Dell and Tata Steel, she believes in blending tech-insights with consumer psychology to spearhead innovation. For her, extracting insights from information is the linchpin for success.

Her journey, spanning Vizag, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Georgia Tech, has given her a front-row seat to diverse cultures, fueling her love for storytelling and the richness of human experience. Outside work, she indulges in poetry, mythology, and mystery novels, hiking breathtaking trails, or sipping coffee in cozy cafés.

Fellowships are awarded for three semesters, with specific responsibilities assigned to fellows each semester:

Fellowship Overview

Fall

Facilitate 2 iii student community Lunch N' Learn sessions
Plan & Facilitate Cultural Showcase Event
Maintain iii Student Community Board
Begin & Launch DEIB Fellowship Legacy Project
Facilitate Event Best Practices Training with iii Student Org Leaders

Spring

Facilitate 2 iii student community Lunch N' Learn sessions
Plan & Facilitate De-Stress Event
Maintain iii Student Community Board
Continue DEIB Fellowship Legacy Project
Facilitate International Student Perspectives Panel

Summer

Complete DEIB Fellowship Legacy Project
Review & Update Peer Student Experience Guide
Onboard Incoming DEIB Fellows

students gather at a DEI cultural showcase event

students participating in the destress event

Interested in becoming a DEIB fellow? Applications for the Pittsburgh and Silicon Valley DEI fellow positions begin the summer before the start of your respective program. For more information, contact Leia Delahaban.

Past DEIB Fellows

Nitya Mathur
Fall 2023 - Summer 2024
MIIPS, Pittsburgh

Nitya was instrumental in creating and facilitating the Event Best Practices training for iii Student Org Leaders, which helped train student leaders on how to embrace inclusivity when planning club initiatives. During her time as a fellow, she also facilitated the first iii De-Stress Fest in Pittsburgh, helping to encourage the MIIPS cohort to practice self-care during the busy spring semester. Another major milestone during Nitya's time as fellow was also helping to plan & facilitate an Accessibility Workshop for iii TA's, focused on creating accessible course materials for students.

Neha Suresh Kumar
Fall 2023 - Summer 2024
MSSM, Silicon Valley

Neha organized a Cultural Showcase for MSSM students on the SV campus, helping to build community & appreciation for diverse backgrounds among the cohort. She was instrumental at helping to plan & facilitate an Accessibility Workshop for iii TA's, focused on creating accessible course materials for students. In addition, Neha organized a number of different coffee chats, focused on topics like social identity, bystander intervention, & combatting the DEI backlash in tech.

María Beatriz Manrique Ardila
Fall 2022 - Summer 2023
MIIPS, Pittsburgh

Maria's favorite part of being a DEIB fellow was that she organized a potluck dinner for the MIIPS students. Students were each encouraged to bring a dish from their cultural heritage and everyone enjoyed trying each other’s dishes. Maria also hosted the bi-weekly coffee chats that provided a space for diverse perspectives to be shared. The coffee chats focused on a diverse range of topics such as mental health, bystander intervention, and disability awareness.

Seemran Mishra
Fall 2022 - Summer 2023
MSSM, Silicon Valley

Seemran organized and hosted large cultural events, including Diwali and Lunar New Year celebrations, which not only brought the community together, but also fostered a sense of inclusivity and appreciation for diverse traditions. Seemran also organized an event called "DEIB Insights in Tech", which provided a platform to explore the intersection of AI and diversity.