Venu (she/her) is the Founder and CEO of Solidarity Futures, with a focus on creating systems change from the inside out. As a former Executive Director of the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms, she led a network of 40+ law firms to build greater racial and ethnic diversity in Chicago's legal community. Venu then went on to join the Executive team of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. As Vice President of Development, she was part of the team that built the national Legal Impact Network and the Racial Justice Institute. Additionally, Venu has led campaigns and political action with and for women of color. 

Additionally, Venu is an ICF-certified executive coach and organizational consultant, with a focus on building anti-racist cultures and practices.. She often is invited to speak publicly on issues related to supporting leaders of color in organizations and movements. 

One of Venu's critical strengths is guiding organizations and their stakeholder communities through transition to a new state of being where staff, stakeholders, and the board are in alignment and can move forward with success. She works with entrepreneurial and non-profit organizations to identify and build clarity of mission and vision, create strategic plans with executable steps, and foster empathetic, values-led leadership. 

Venu sits on the Board of Directors for Free Speech for People and Sista Afya Community Care. 

Venu graduated from Tufts University, Harvard Law School, and the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. She is certified in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and as a yoga teacher. She is recognized as a Truman Scholar and a Presidential Leadership Scholar.