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Shani Dellimore Barrax

Inclusion, Belonging, and Organizational Development

About Me

Shani Dellimore Barrax, she/her/hers (formerly Barrax Moore) is a diversity, equity and inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and organizational change strategist with more than 25 years of practical experience in DEIB training and development; change leadership, management and agency; data-informed strategy and action planning, and capacity-building programming. At her core, Shani is a change agent grounded in cultural humility, striving to replicate change agency for those committed to creating and sustaining spaces that are humane - where everyone can thrive, engage, and develop with psychological safety. After a career in public relations and marketing she began specializing in dialogue-based intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness programs, integrating inclusion and belonging into organizational branding and development strategy. A trained mediator, Cornell Certified Diversity Practitioner/Advanced Practitioner, Prosci certified change management practitioner, and Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator, Shani has led and liaised with cross-functional teams across sectors - such as education, non-profit and nongovernmental organizations and associations, corporate and the arts - to increase individual and organizational capacities through change agency facilitation. Her skills include integration of cultural humility and self-reflection into learning and development strategy through innovative curriculum design and delivery, data storytelling for strategic road mapping, application of academic theory to practice, and inclusive leadership development. Shani helped to pilot INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s Women of Color Need Courageous Allies In the Academy Series, and partners with Viewfinder Campus-wide Climate Surveys for higher education data collection and analysis services. Her experience with climate survey management includes planning committee leadership, survey customization and deployment, analysis and data-informed strategies, and respondent marketing; at the University of North Texas where she served as an assistant vice president, she secured a new car as a participation incentive through her strategic partnership acumen. During her tenure at UNT, she created and delivered a Coursera titled Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Essentials used internationally for DEIB learning and development. She also led the re-branding and expansion of the Equity and Diversity Conference, including the development of corporate strategic partnerships. A sought-after keynote speaker, facilitator, and presenter at numerous conferences events, and organizations, her thought leadership contributions include the NAIS publication Diversity Work in Independent Schools: The Practice and the Practitioner and textbooks such as Quantum Realities: Educational Truth-telling in an Era of Alternative Facts and Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Student Affairs Practice: A Professional Competency-Based Approach. In higher education, Shani has served as an academic advisor, administrator and adjunct instructor in business, leadership, and social work. Shani leads Aurora Change Agency LLC, a consulting collective of women guiding organizations from compliance to intentional inclusion, innovating and facilitating equitable programs and practices, and developing belonging strategies for cultivating psychologically safe and humane organizations. A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, she received her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in public relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a minor in French (GO HEELS!), and her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and human resources. A member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, Shani is the proud mom of two daughters and a former Carrollton, TX city council candidate.

Jurisdiction

United States

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Principal ConsultantAurora Change Agency
2017 - Present

• Develop and execute enterprise DEI strategies aligned with business goals, talent systems, and organizational values. • Conduct DEI assessments using surveys, focus groups, policy reviews, and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDi). • Coach CEOs, boards, and senior leaders on inclusive leadership and equitable decision-making. • Design DEI education, inclusive leadership academies, and psychologically safe learning environments. • Guide organizations in establishing and evaluating Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). • Develop DEI metrics, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms for accountability. • Support organizations in cultural transformation through change management and strategic planning. Selected Impact: Increased employee engagement and psychological safety by up to 25% across multiple clients through data-informed cultural interventions. Led diversity strategy alignment for associations and higher ed systems, improving inclusive leadership competency and governance structures. Designed equity-centered talent development frameworks that strengthened internal pipelines for underrepresented employees.

Sr. Director Diversity and InclusionVizient
2021 - 2023

Directed enterprise-wide employee engagement and DEI-aligned learning strategy for a national healthcare performance organization. Created and implemented inclusive leadership toolkits, ERG development frameworks, and engagement strategies used across business units. Designed and reported DEI and engagement metrics to senior leadership, strengthening accountability and progress visibility. Advised executives on ways to embed equity into people processes, communications, talent development, and performance systems. Key Achievements: Increased participation in employee resource groups and learning programs by 38%. Developed enterprise DEI scorecards tied to organizational KPIs.

Assistant Vice PresidentUniversity of North Texas
2016 - 2021

Founded the University’s first Office of Diversity & Inclusion; led institution-wide DEI strategy, policy influence, and cultural transformation. Conducted climate assessments to identify DEI gaps and informed policy changes related to equity, compliance, and retention. Designed and facilitated DEI education for executive teams, faculty, staff, and student leaders. Built inclusive talent systems from recruitment to onboarding and leadership development, promoting equitable advancement. Impact: Achieved a 30% increase in institutional engagement through comprehensive DEI programming and cultural transformation initiatives. Implemented frameworks that strengthened psychological safety, inclusive leadership capability, and retention of underrepresented employees.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion OfficerTarrant County College District
2012 - 2016

Built the district’s foundational infrastructure for diversity and inclusion, leadership development, talent succession, and employee engagement. Led cultural assessments and facilitated inclusion workshops to support equitable talent systems. Created metrics and dashboards that surfaced equity gaps and informed continuous improvement. Impact: Increased leadership bench strength and improved internal promotion readiness through inclusive talent development pathways.

Education

Degree of Journalism and Mass CommunicationThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1992 - 1996
Masters of Human Resources and MarketingStrayer University
2003 - 2005

Certification

Total Certifications1

Certified Change Management Professional

Prosci

Skills

Core skills0
Languages1

Languages

English