Neetu Taj

About Neetu Taj

I’ve built my career on one belief: business grows when people grow. And people grow when organisations create the conditions to feel seen, safe, supported, and challenged to rise.As a leader at the intersection of DEI, culture, behaviour change, and mental skills, I design people systems that don’t just feel good—they perform. I combine the science of human behaviour with the strategy of business outcomes to help organisations build cultures that are inclusive, agile, innovative, and high-performing. This then translates into inclusive products and services that we deliver. Today, as Director of DEI at Cognizant, a certified DEI Auditor, and Founding Member of the School of Mental Skills, I focus on strengthening the human capabilities that genuinely drive organisational success: psychological safety, clarity, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, and inclusive leadership.These capabilities aren’t “soft.” They directly influence speed, decision quality, collaboration, governance, client trust, compliance, and market reputation.How I Turn Human Advantage Into Business Advantage.• Culture → PerformanceI help teams move from siloed and reactive to aligned and collaborative—unlocking faster decisions, fewer escalations, smarter problem-solving, and stronger client outcomes.• DEI Audits → Governance, Risk Excellence & TrustAs a DEI Auditor, I assess systems, policies, and behaviours to reveal gaps, mitigate bias, strengthen accountability, and embed equity into enterprise structures.This reduces organisational risk, improves compliance, and builds long-term credibility with clients, talent, and leadership.• Mental Skills → Agility; ClarityThrough the School of Mental Skills, I design experiences that train people to manage their state, regulate emotions, communicate with precision, and lead with presence.What I’m Known For• Converting complex human challenges into strategic, practical solutions• Conducting DEI audits that strengthen systems, culture, and governance• Designing learning experiences that spark real behaviour change• Influencing leaders in high-stakes environments• Creating energising, human-centred learning communities• Delivering with empathy, clarity, speed, and integrity• Balancing business needs with deep behavioural insightAt the core, I’m someone who cares about people and performance—equally and simultaneously. When organisations invest in inclusion, psychological safety, governance, and mental readiness, they unlock something no competitor can copy: Human Advantage — the ultimate business advantage.

Experience

1. Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion

   Cognizant

   Feb 2025 — Present · Hyderabad, IN

   DEI partner / consultant to Service lines, enabling businesses to achieve their goals across the organisation through DEI.

Education

• University of Hradec Králové

  Bachelor's degree, Information Technology

  2006 — 2008

Skills

• Team Management
• Microsoft Office