“The world we create doesn’t have to be as destructive as the world we currently inhabit.”
Dr. Sumun Pendakur
FEATURED IN
Dr. Sumun L. Pendakur (Sumi) believes that we have infinite capability to imagine and enact a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.
The Lens that Shaped Everything Daughter of Indian Immigrants
Sumi's early life is a tapestry woven with threads of heritage, resilience, and a rich connection to her family's roots in India.
As the daughter of progressive Indian American parents, Sumi finds strength in a legacy steeped in storytelling, community, and a history of anti-colonialism and solidarity movements.
This journey is not just hers; it’s a universal story of empowerment through history, family, place, and connection—a narrative that resonates across cultures and backgrounds.
Unveiling the Power of Change with College Activism
Sumi's journey took a transformative turn as a student activist nearly 30 years ago. It was only the beginning of the arc of her career in change-making, and truly a testament to the universal lessons of navigating power dynamics, building sustainable movements, and the art of speaking truth to power.
Sumi's multi-decade experiences offer a blueprint for any organization or individual seeking to enact positive change, showcasing the skills to motivate, envision, and strategically navigate transformative shifts.
Named one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine in 2019
Creating a Just World for Family & Future Generations
In the realm of personal connections, Sumi embraces the role of a wife and mother with a profound commitment to crafting a more beautiful, just world.
Her motivation is universal: the well-being of her children.
Every effort, every project, every endeavor is a testament to the belief that we can design and enact positive change.
Sumi channels her energy, empathy, and intellect into a fervent mission—a mission that invites companies, organizations, and individuals to join a collective effort in shaping a future where narratives of progress, inclusivity, and justice reign supreme.
A Letter from Sumi
“If you're on a similar journey, I invite you to become a partner in manifesting the world we all desire. With two decades of skills, tools, and research, I bring the expertise to effectively shape change.
It’s in the work we push against fear, helplessness, and hopelessness - to reassert our sense of agency and how we can impact our sphere of influence for ourselves and all those around us.
Together, we can accelerate the pace and create a future that transcends boundaries. You don't have to walk this path alone; let's turn our collective energy, empathy, and intellect into a force for transformative action."
I'm Dr. Sumun L. Pendakur, a DEI Strategist/Consultant/Speaker and the founder of Sumun Pendakur Consulting, a firm that helps organizations and individuals build capacity for social justice and racial equity. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I have been a thought partner, trainer, speaker, and executive coach for more than 300 clients across higher education, non-profit, and corporate sectors.
My mission is to empower individuals at all levels to be transformational agents of change in their spheres of influence. I draw on my research and expertise in racial justice transformation, identity-conscious leadership, and organizational development to design and deliver customized, engaging, and high-impact learning experiences. I am a former board member of NADOHE, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and an award-winning speaker and trainer who has been recognized as one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. I am passionate about creating a more just, equitable, and compassionate world for all.
I’ve held roles as the Chief Learning Officer at the USC Race and Equity Center, dedicated to advancing scalable racial justice in multiple sectors; as the Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Harvey Mudd College, serving on the President’s Cabinet and directing the Office of Institutional Diversity; and as the Director for USC Asian Pacific American Student Services.
I am a graduate of Northwestern University with a double major in Women’s Studies and History and a Minor in Spanish. I hold an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan. And I received my doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the USC Rossier School of Education. My study on institutional change agents received the Dissertation of the Year award (2011).
I recently wrapped 7 years as the Co-President of the Southern California chapter of NADOHE (SCADOHE). I am on the Coqual Advisory Board, am an executive coach for faculty and administrators through the Kardia Group, and I served as Faculty Coach for the AAC&U’s multi-year TIDES (Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM) Institute. I am the co-editor, alongside Dr. Stephen Quaye, of Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations (4rd edition) (2026).
I am the multilingual daughter of immigrants, was raised in the Midwest, and now call Los Angeles, CA, home. I am the wife of actor Sunil Malhotra and proud mommy to two firecrackers.
