A senior executive and trusted advisor with over 25 years of experience, Indira has founded, led, and advised organizations and coached leaders to strengthen equanimity, equity, effectiveness, and excellence.

Advisor & Coach

"I combine purpose with strategy. I build with integrity and savvy. I act to augment the achievement and impact of positive intent.

I fuel the veracity and agency of individuals. I work with leaders to strengthen their ethos and performance to shape and grow their organizations as much as to pursue and achieve their own personal goals and professional ambitions.

I accelerate the growth and achievements of mission-driven organizations. I address culture, inculcate equity, and consider roles and systems to institutionalize vision, results, and value.”

Advocate

An advocate for equality and social justice, Indira has been active in support of organizations that build diversity and equity. She recently founded and chairs the Coalition of Racial & Ethnic Equity in Development (CREED) which is a collective of U.S. based international development and humanitarian assistance organizations committed to building racial and ethnic equity (REE). CREED has launched an REE pledge and a learning community to advance racial and ethnic diversity, equity, and belonging within US based organizations systemically and culturally with accountability.

Speaker & Writer

Indira is a thought leader and sought-after speaker. She is typically invited to speak on topics related to entrepreneurship; leadership and management; inclusion and equity; and survivorship.

Indira published her first book - Fast Forward to Hope: Choosing to Build the Power of Self in April 2021. The book is as much about her fourteen-year journey from fear to hope against the backdrop of her Stage IV cancer experience as it is about facing challenges to live life well.

Background

Previously, Indira had founded Development and Training Services, Inc. (dTS) to integrate equality, accountability, and sustainability in international development. With work in 90 countries in gender and social inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation, dTS was named the Small Business of the Year by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2015, Indira facilitated the acquisition of dTS by Palladium, and started KAUR Strategies in 2017.

Indira served as the Chairperson of the Small Business Association for International Companies (SBAIC). She was a co-founder of the Council of International Development Companies (CIDC) which was later merged with the Professional Services Council (PSC). She also served on the Board of Let’s Make it Possible.

Indira was the Chair of the Board of Directors for the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT), and served on the Board of Directors for Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF).

Indira earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with Distinction from George Mason University, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Chicago. She was presented a Certificate in Multiculturalism by the Multicultural Institute in conjunction with George Washington University.

Honors

• Professional Services Council Outstanding Achievement Award for Leadership

• Sikh Businesswoman of the Year by the Sikh Directory

• Distinguished Alumni Award by George Mason University