Creating inclusive workplaces is no longer just a moral imperative but a business necessity. For Dr. Poornima Luthra, incoming Principal Lecturer of People, Culture & Inclusion and Deputy Head of Department (Teaching) at Imperial Business School, the challenge lies in bridging rigorous academic research with practical tools that enable organisations to foster equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). 

An award-winning author, speaker and educator, Dr. Luthra has spent nearly two decades building expertise in talent management and inclusive leadership across Europe and Asia. Her books Can I Say That? (2025), Leading Through Bias (2024), The Art of Active Allyship (2022) and Diversifying Diversity (2021) have positioned her as one of the foremost global voices on DEI. She is also a contributor to Harvard Business Review and a trusted advisor to global organisations including Deloitte, L’Oréal, Carlsberg, Novo Nordisk and Médecins Sans Frontières. 

The School continues to strengthen the belief that the future of business leadership is deeply rooted in inclusion and Dr Luthra is excited to contribute to shaping future leaders with diverse representation and adaptability. 

“I am thrilled to join Imperial Business School as it offers a dynamic environment at the forefront of global business education and research,” she says. “The School’s strong commitment to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact aligns perfectly with my vision for advancing knowledge and nurturing future leaders.” 

Carving a space with global recognition and impact 

Dr. Luthra’s contributions to rethinking inclusion have earned her widespread recognition. In 2023, Thinkers50 named her among the world’s 30 up-and-coming management thinkers and listed her books The Art of Active Allyship and Can I Say That? among the top 10 management books of 2023 and 2025. The same year, she won the Nordic Blaze Inclusion Awards in the Trailblazer category, further underlining her impact as a thought leader shaping inclusive business practices worldwide. 

As a keynote and TEDx speaker, she creates transformative learning experiences that empower individuals to recognise bias, practice allyship and embed inclusive leadership in their everyday work. Through her consultancy, TalentED, she supports organisations in making sustainable changes to culture and practice, ensuring diversity is not only celebrated but embedded in business strategy. 

At Imperial, Dr. Luthra brings this global expertise into the classroom, equipping students and future leaders with the skills to lead inclusively in complex, international contexts. Her work demonstrates how rigorous research, when paired with practical application, can shift organisational mindsets that enable real change. 

With her mix of global perspectives and practical insight, Dr. Luthra is charting a new course for how business schools and businesses alike approach talent and inclusion in the 21st century.