End of a chapter:
STRIDES Has Wound Down
After much reflection and exploration of several paths over the past year, we’ve made the difficult decision to shut down STRIDES.
When we launched this journey in 2019, Rika and Malur set out with a bold vision: to diversify the boardroom and executive suite by unlocking access and opportunity for underrepresented leaders. At its peak, STRIDES welcomed over 850 members and forged partnerships we’re proud of.
While the mission remains close to our hearts, good intentions alone are not always enough to sustain a venture.
To our members, investors, customers, partners, and everyone who supported STRIDES and BoardSeatMeet — thank you. Your belief in this vision made the work meaningful.
It’s been a tough, rewarding, and deeply fulfilling ride. We remain grateful for the community we built together.
— Malur & Rika
THANK YOU
THANK YOU
Elevate Your Leadership Journey
Connect
Join our vetted network of senior executives, board members, and emerging leaders across industries.
Grow
Access exclusive opportunities, build meaningful connections, and elevate your professional journey.
For Companies:
Harness Untapped Executive Talent
Unlock the full potential of your leadership pipeline with our AI-powered platform. Identify and nurture unique executive talent, fostering a culture of inclusion and driving innovation.
The Challenges of Executive Leadership
Organizations face a critical challenge in finding and retaining unique and diverse leadership talent. Over 80% of the executive roles are filled by who you know.
The problem is exacerbated by the reliance on networking and professional connections for filling senior roles.
Executive search firms struggle to effectively find and retain leadership talent, often relying on their existing networks, which perpetuates the lack of representation in leadership roles.
The STRIDES Way…
Inclusive leadership starts with a simple conversation
1
Discover & meet diverse leaders
Our diverse community of highly qualified executives includes over 70% women and BIPOC individuals. STRIDES’ intelligent recommendations connect you with the right leaders for your organization.
2
Cultivate sustainable executive relationships
STRIDES' repeatable process allows you to build relationships with executives through multiple touchpoints, including feedback and coaching. This fosters lasting connections and ensures a smooth onboarding process.
3
Drive qualified/vetted talent pipeline
STRIDES provides a pipeline of qualified and vetted talent at the director level and above. We focus on experienced executives ready to make an immediate impact.
4
Reduce ‘onboarding cycle time’
The STRIDES ecosystem reduces onboarding time with its emphasis on building familiarity and interaction between executives and potential employers before joining a company.
5
Improve cultural fit + retention
STRIDES helps you find leaders who are a good cultural fit, which improves retention rates and ensures successful integration within your organization. This is a key component of succession planning.
Level up:
Exec Connections
Experiences
Competencies
Engagement
STRIDES EcoSystem
Executive Networking
Connect with diverse executive talent and build your professional network. Participate in one-on-one networking sessions and group gatherings for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Leadership Development Programs
Upskill and advance your leadership competencies through customized programs tailored to your unique needs and career goals. Learn from experienced coaches and mentors.
Leadership Opportunities
Access a curated pool of board level and C-Suite leadership positions and opportunities aligned with your skills and interests. Gain visibility and recognition within the STRIDES ecosystem.
Events & Experiences
Engage in exclusive events and experiences designed to enhance your leadership skills and expand your network. Gain valuable insights from industry experts and thought leaders.
Discover top senior talent effortlessly and nurture relationships with real-time insights.
For the Leader
- Stronger exec network
- Highly Engaged ⬆
- Leadership skills ⬆
- Opportunities
For Companies
- Unique Diverse Talent pool
- Succession Plan
- Engagement ⬆
- Retention ⬆
STRIDES Talent Community
STRIDES Talent Community is a dynamic network of diverse, proven executives and leaders who are passionate about innovation and growth. The community boasts a core membership of over 800 highly vetted executives and 2000+ extended members, representing a vast spectrum of industries and expertise.
Meet the Team
Malur Narayan
Co-Founder. Extensive experience in AI product development, product strategy, and global business development at Tata, Nortel, and successful startups.
Shrikar Kasturi
Chief Business Officer. Technology leader turned PE exec with experience in Strategy, Investment, Commercials, and M&A.
Advisory Board Members
Rika Nakazawa
Chief Commercial Innovation Executive, NTT
Global Inclusion Leader
Co-founder of STRIDES AI
Eric Malis
Corp. law & strategy, Entrepreneurship. Eric brings a unique perspective on strategy and business development.
John Pasmore
CEO, Latimer AI. John brings a wealth of expertise in AI and entrepreneurship to STRIDES.ai.
Chris Halliwell
Mentor & Board Member Long Beach Accelerator. Chris brings extensive experience in mentoring and fostering entrepreneurial growth.
Heidi Lehmann
CXO. Heidi brings years of experience in leadership, branding, and impact.
Value Proposition
Companies
Discover and meet diverse leadership talent.
Enhance your brand within the diverse leadership community.
Build a pipeline of diverse talent for future leadership roles.
Emerging Leaders
Network with seenior executives and leaders.
Engage your leadership team with an external audience.
Create a reverse mentoring program for your leaders.
Succession Planning
Engage and recruit when ready for your next leadership hire.
Gain valuable analytics and metrics for performance and compliance.
Sr. Exec/Hiring Exec
Grow your network within a trusted space and inclusive community.
Get discovered and engage with sr executives, peers and hiring managers.
Discover executive roles and opportunities and apply for them.
How is STRIDES different?
Trusted, Vetted Leaders
STRIDES.ai leverages a curated network of executives. We offer a rigorously vetted and highly qualified group of leaders. Our community thrives on shared values and a commitment to excellence.
Direct Connections
STRIDES.ai bridges the gap between aspiring leaders and hiring managers. We streamline the process, providing direct access to future leaders without unnecessary delays.
Simplified Scheduling
Our intuitive platform facilitates seamless scheduling and meetings. Eliminate back-and-forth communication and enjoy a streamlined experience.
Intelligent Recommendations
Discover new opportunities with intelligent recommendations tailored to your specific needs and aspirations. Enjoy the flexibility to explore and choose from a diverse range of options.
Get in Touch
If you are an executive, HR leader, or talent acquisition professional looking to partner with STRIDES.AI, get in touch. We can discuss how STRIDES.AI can create a tailored ecosystem to identify, recruit, and manage the most diverse executive talent for your business.
Contact us at one of the following:
- Email: info@strides.ai
- Address: Austin, TX 78741