Dr Thelá Thatch shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Thelá, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Many people think HR and DEI work is only about compliance or checking boxes. What is misunderstood is that it is really about transformation and creating systems that allow people to thrive. At Thelá Thatch Consulting, we do not just talk policies, we humanize them. The real work is about shifting culture so organizations do not just look diverse but actually live equity every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Dr. Thelá Thatch, the founder and Chief Equity Officer of Thelá Thatch Consulting and the nonprofit Time2Dream Foundation. For more than 20 years, I have worked at the intersection of human resources and equity, helping organizations transform their policies and cultures so that people feel valued, respected, and heard.
What makes my work unique is that I do not see HR and DEI as boxes to check or buzzwords to use. I see them as human-centered practices that can reshape the way people experience work and community. Through my consulting firm, I partner with businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to create strategies that are both practical and transformative. Through Time2Dream, I focus on empowering young people to see themselves as leaders and changemakers.
I am also an author and speaker, using my voice to challenge inequities and offer solutions that are both innovative and inclusive. Whether I am writing a children’s book that teaches kindness or guiding executives on equity strategies, my mission is the same: to make equity not just an ideal but a lived reality.
Right now, I am excited about expanding how I share this work through new partnerships, training programs, and conversations that inspire others to think differently about equity and leadership.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks bonds is a lack of trust, miscommunication, and unwillingness to see each other’s humanity. What restores them is empathy, listening with intention, and creating spaces where people feel respected and heard. Healing and connection come when people feel safe to be vulnerable and authentic.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that your voice matters and your dreams are valid. You are capable of creating impact, even in spaces that try to limit you, and your journey is preparing you to lift others as you rise.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is an authentic reflection of who I am, but it is curated to focus on my work, my mission, and my voice as a leader. The private version includes more introspection, vulnerability, and the moments of reflection that shape the decisions I make publicly.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will remember that I showed up consistently with integrity, empathy, and courage. I want them to say that I created spaces where people could be themselves, contribute meaningfully, and feel empowered to lead. I want my story to reflect that I did not just write policies or provide consulting advice, but that I inspired individuals and organizations to embrace equity and inclusion in a way that is lasting and transformational. Most importantly, I hope they say that I cared deeply about people and used my skills, influence, and knowledge to create opportunities and drive positive change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelathatch.com
- Instagram: @askmrshr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelathatch
- Twitter: @askmrshr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThelaThatchConsulting
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tthatch08
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/thela.thatch
Image Credits
Brittney Jean Photography
