Leveraging big business experience to support small business DEI strategies
YCS is a boutique consulting firm specializing in human capital consulting and building inclusive environments for growth with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind. YCS leverages decades of academic, professional and lived experiences to bring you customized strategies and solutions from assessment to implementation and measurement.
Our Services
Learning & Development
YCS provides the most up to date, customized and relevant DEI education, training and awareness in areas such as, but not limited to:
- Unconscious Bias
- Microaggressions
- Intersectionality
- Allyship
- Identity
- Racial Equity
Coaching
YCS works with mid-level, executive and C-suite leaders to provide thought leadership and tools to foster belonging and inclusivity within the workplace and address challenges within DEI that mid and senior leaders need to be able to manage and work through with empathy and an open mindset. Areas of coaching may include:
- DEI Leadership Development
- Equity in the Workplace
- Employee Engagement
- Courageous Conversations
- Effective Advocacy of DEI in the Workplace
- Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
Discovery
Through a unique methodology and framework, YCS skillfully uncovers barriers to DEI within your organization to assess areas such as:
- Demographics of your workforce
- Hiring and promotion processes
- Corporate culture
- Performance management processes
- Branding and Marketing
- External engagement
Strategy & Implementation
YCS will analyze and utilize the results from the discovery process and partner with you to design and implement a detailed DEI strategic roadmap and timeline to include activities, policies and practices related to, but not limited to:
- Creation of a DEI vision and mission statement
- Branding, Website and Marketing Activities
- Inclusive Practices and Policies
- Implementing Employee Resource Groups
- Mentorship/Sponsorship Programs
- Internal/External Communication Practices
About YCS
YCS is a boutique consulting firm that works with small organizations to provide services within DEI training, executive coaching, assessment and discovery, and strategy development. The YCS approach is tailored and comprehensive, intersectional and holistic and data-driven. YCS embodies the core values of empathy, courageous truth and forward motion in all of its interactions to bring forth the most meaningful inclusive practices that best align with the small organization's mission and values.
About the Founder
Yasmin Virani, Founder & CEO of Yas Consulting Services is a Pakistani-American who was born in Dubai, raised in Georgia and now resides in Northern Virginia. Yasmin is an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leader, strategist, coach, trainer and facilitator who is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and helping small businesses create inclusive business models and maximize the potential of their core values and mission with their DEI goals. Yasmin holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Science from Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA from Georgia State University and most recently has been certified by the Society of Diversity as a Certified Diversity Professional.
Her work has spanned a variety of sectors including government, non-profit and private sectors with a proven track record of designing, implementing and measuring strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives for medium to large size corporations.
With more than 20 years of combined experience within human capital, project management, business management consulting and DEI, Yasmin is poised to be able to utilize her skill-set along with her unique lived experience and multicultural background to assess, advise and implement the most impactful DEI strategies for small businesses that will allow them to thrive and make meaningful progress within DEI, without feeling overwhelmed.
Testimonials
I had the opportunity to work closely with Yasmin on a small-team DEI project supporting a federal client. Throughout the engagement, Yasmin was adept at collecting DEI data from a variety of sources, analyzing that data to identify root causes and systemic areas of concern, and developing tangible and achievable actions designed to move the organization forward on their DEI journey. Yasmin's demeanor is ideal for this work, establishing a safe environment with the staff while facilitating focus groups, as well as developing a candid and productive partnership with organizational leaders. Yasmin is a trusted resource and I would happily partner with her again on future projects.
J.R., Project Manager, OCT Consulting LLC
I had the pleasure of working with Yasmin during my time as Program Director & DEI Strategist at Girls on the Run of Central Ohio. She was an external consultant and member of our leadership team that guided our organizational council in the development of our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility (IDEA) Advisory Committee. Yasmin was an absolute pleasure to work with. She has an incredible humanistic lens for this work, a foundational knowledge, a willingness to ask the tough questions as well as develop solutionary strategies. Four primary skills that any organization would benefit from who are trying to center this work. Her hands-on engagement, perspective, and expertise nurtured Girls on the Run of Central Ohio to construct a more equitable recruiting infrastructure and intentionally create a high quality IDEA Advisory Committee, helping us move the needle forward in serving our mission more equitably.
Sara Hinck, Program Director, Girls on the Run of Central Ohio
Yasmin excels in designing DEI strategies that have an empathetic and collaborative focus. Her expertise and partnership always keeps the client at the center. By helping others to navigate the complexity of society and the workplace today, she positions individuals and teams to build an equitable and inclusive culture that thrives into the future.
Erica Keeton, Senior Change Management Specialist, Mathematica
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YAS Consulting Services, LLC
@Yas Consulting Services, LLC
As a society, we have somewhat moved the needle in terms of our understanding and advocacy for diversity in general. However, there is always room for more opportunities to educate ourselves and actively take steps to create an even more inclusive environment with specific types of diversity. Neurodiversity is one such area, especially as the neurodivergent world is growing. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses have almost tripled in the past 20 years and so have the associated challenges. As leaders within our organizations, we need to be able to move away from the concept of simple awareness of neurodiversity to also acceptance, advocacy, celebration and appreciation. How do we go about doing this?
YAS Consulting Services, LLC
@Yas Consulting Services, LLC
"What can organizations do to determine if their DEI initiatives are mere scaffolds or performative solidarity -- or whether they're positioned to put racial and gender equity at the center of the company's core values and move the needle on change?" Leadership teams should be asking these questions of themselves and this is just as applicable to small businesses: * Are we providing equitable access to career opportunities? * Are we promoting a culture of allyship? * Have we made a public commitment to DEI with external partners? And are we prepared for pushback? * Do we know how we'll measure our progress (or lack thereof)? As the article mentions, DEI is not a "thing" like a program, nor can it rest on a single person or group. DEI is a journey that takes time, energy, focus, passion and a solid commitment in order to truly align with the organization's mission, culture and values. Where are you within your DEI journey and how have you made progress? YCS would love to hear from you and partner with you on your journey to make progress within diversity, equity and inclusion.
YAS Consulting Services, LLC
@Yas Consulting Services, LLC
Trying to figure out where to even begin with #dei as a small business? Look no further! The 11 resources mentioned in the article will help you get started, even if it's just simply awareness for you and your staff. It's important to know that #dei doesn't have to be complicated and overwhelming. Meet your #smallbusiness where you currently are and vow to take incremental steps towards progress within #dei #yasconsultingservices #diversityequityinclusion #smallbusinesses #progressisprogress
Let's discuss how we can help
yasmin@yasconsultingservices.com
We’d love to hear from you! Fill out this form to schedule some time to connect with Yasmin and discuss your goals.
