Our Approach
At Nikeya Consulting, we provide innovative, human-centered solutions designed to help organizations, entrepreneurs, and communities thrive in a rapidly evolving world. We understand that success today requires more than just overcoming challenges—it’s about empowering stakeholders to be agile, adapt, and create sustainable growth. Our services help clients navigate an era shaped by technological disruption, AI, and evolving changing demographics.
We work with a wide range of clients—from entrepreneurs and small businesses to established companies, nonprofits, and government agencies—to create strategies that are not only effective but also inclusive and human-centered. We believe every organization and community has the potential for transformation when given the right tools and support.
Our expertise spans entrepreneurial coaching, leadership alignment, human capital management, inclusive cultures, community development, and economic inclusion. We help clients build high-performing teams by upskilling and reskilling their workforce, ensuring that leaders and teams are equipped to succeed in an era of rapid technological change.
Beyond business growth, we are committed to building inclusive, welcoming communities—where people choose to live, work, and play. In today’s diverse world, communities must enhance the quality of life and foster welcoming environments that attract both individuals and businesses. By doing so, they can retain a diverse workforce, strengthen their tax base, and ensure sustainable growth.
Empower Teams. Transform Communities. Fuel Growth.
Workplace Outcomes:
- fosters dynamic, diverse, open and positive workplace cultures
- enhances talent attraction/retention strategies; decreases attrition rates and turnover costs
- empowers talent to drive creativity, invention and innovation
- increases ROI: profit, growth/expansion, market penetration, customer satisfaction
- creates high performance teams utilizing strengths of diverse backgrounds, leadership/management styles, cultures, perspectives, skills, experiences, etc.
- increases team morale and productivity
- increases brand, public relations and corporate/organizational image
- reduces litigation costs
Community/Regional/State Outcomes:
- creates a diverse, safe and welcoming place enhancing overall quality of life
- aid in the attraction and retention efforts of diverse populations to assist with workforce talent issues
- increases community/economic development aiding in attraction of diverse industries
- increases tax base
- fosters sustainable population growth
- increases brand, public relations and image impacting position of rankings in various categories they are measured in
- reduces litigation costs
Our Story
The journey of Nikeya Consulting (formerly known as Nikeya Diversity Consulting) began in 2016 with a deeply personal realization: leadership isn’t just about driving results at any cost—it’s about strategically creating inclusive, psychologically safe environments where people feel empowered to bring their authentic selves forward based on shared organizational values.
After leaving a toxic work environment where results were prioritized over people’s well-being and mental health – ultimately damaging the organization’s health — Sarika Bhakta (our founder and president), reflected on a pivotal question: “What could I have done differently?” The organization consistently exceeded strong performance, but high turnover and declining morale revealed the unsustainability of toxic leadership practices and culture. This introspection sparked a new purpose: to empower people to live and lead authentically, inspiring global change while fostering psychologically safe environments—in workplaces and communities alike.
In late 2024, we proudly expanded our expertise by earning global credentials as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), further reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. With this growth, we transitioned from Nikeya Diversity Consulting to Nikeya Consulting—a name that reflects our broadened scope and enhanced capabilities. Today, we provide holistic support in leadership development, HR transformation, inclusive culture and engagement strategies, community and economic inclusion, learning and development, and organizational impact.
What began as a personal mission has grown into a firm dedicated to transforming organizations and communities by cultivating cultures of trust, innovation, and meaningful impact—equipping organizations to thrive in today’s AI-driven landscape.
Nikeya Consulting was founded on one belief: inclusive leadership, rooted in psychological safety, transforms organizational and community health, enriching the lives of all stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: To empower individuals to authentically champion inclusive environments, fostering innovative cultures for global excellence.
Vision: A world where differences are embraced fueling success and innovation, inspiring positive change in communities and industries worldwide.
Meet the Founder & President
Sarika Bhakta, CDE, SHRM-SCP
Sarika Bhakta is a transformational executive with over 25 years of experience driving organizational and cultural change across industries worldwide. Her journey—from Gujarat, India, to the American Midwest—taught her the profound value of authenticity, diversity, and resilience in leadership. This inspired her life’s legacy: to empower people to live and lead authentically to inspire change globally.
Sarika’s expertise spans leadership development, human capital strategy, strategic planning, resource acquisition, business growth, program design and delivery, learning and development, community and economic development, and philanthropy. She has partnered with corporate, nonprofit, government, academic, and community organizations, helping leaders align people strategies with business goals and navigate the complexities of today’s global workforce. Her people-centered approach ensures that every solution is practical, innovative, and rooted in measurable outcomes to drive optimal organizational health.
As the Founder & President of Nikeya Consulting (formerly Nikeya Diversity Consulting), Sarika has earned recognition as a trusted advisor to C-Suite leaders and organizations seeking to create environments where people and businesses thrive. Her groundbreaking frameworks in inclusive leadership and organizational transformation have become benchmarks for achieving excellence in a rapidly changing world.
Beyond Nikeya Consulting, Sarika is a sought-after speaker, author, and podcast host who engages audiences on topics like leadership authenticity, psychological safety, and navigating global workforce dynamics. She co-authored Power Up, Super Women, a reflection of her dedication to advancing women leaders, and hosted the Diversity Straight Up podcast, where she facilitated bold, actionable conversations with executives.
Sarika’s passion for creating impact extends to her community, where she serves on the boards of several nonprofits and foundations, including the Zach Johnson Foundation, Forever Welcome Foundation, and Iowa Asian Alliance Eastern IA Chapter.
Her astrological sign is a a Taurus and her name Sarika in Hindi means hummingbird, hence her mantra in life is “Hear you roar, see you soar!” – a testament to her belief in the limitless potential of individuals and organizations to drive meaningful, lasting impact.
Let’s Make An Impact Now…
Don’t settle for a cookie-cutter approach to building a thriving organization. At Nikeya Consulting, we create people-centered solutions that empower leadership, cultivate inclusive and psychologically safe cultures, and drive the overall organizational health needed to succeed in today’s global workforce. Partner with a trusted firm whose values align with yours to achieve lasting impact and sustainable success.
Iowa Targeted Small Business
SBA Women Owned Small Business
National Minority Supplier Diversity Council