Co-Founding Partner, VallotKarp Consulting; Board Member, Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) Xavier University of Louisiana, The Public Theater and Suited

Angela Vallot is a nationally recognized consultant, lawyer, and pioneer in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, with over three decades of leadership in the field. She served as the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for both Texaco and Colgate Palmolive, pivotal roles where she shaped industry standards in corporate diversity. At Texaco, Angela spearheaded transformative initiatives following the settlement of a $176 million racial discrimination lawsuit, earning accolades for her work in building a model of corporate diversity. Later, as the Global Chief Diversity Officer for Colgate Palmolive, she orchestrated extensive DEI strategic planning alongside business continuity efforts. For the past two decades, Angela has propelled VallotKarp Consulting into a premier consultancy advising national and international organizations on leveraging DEI for enhanced engagement, productivity, and revenue growth. Her clientele includes prestigious law firms, Fortune 100 corporations, private equity firms, and leading museums. Angela’s board leadership spans almost 30 years, including prestigious institutions such as the Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF), which she co-chairs, Xavier University of Louisiana, and The Public Theater. She also serves on the board of Suited, a startup that is revolutionizing talent recruitment and retention in investment banks and law firms. Her previous board service includes 22 years (1996-2018) on the board of Sentinel Group Mutual Funds, where she chaired its Governance and Nominating Committee. She also served as a trustee of the District of Columbia Retirement Board (1992 through 1996). Angela further served as a trustee on the boards of Dance Theater of Harlem (1997-2003) and Marymount Manhattan College (2001-2006). A sought-after speaker and influencer, Angela’s insights have shaped industry discourse, from panel discussions at prominent forums to co-authored articles on accelerating diversity in elite organizations. A graduate of Georgetown Law, Angela’s career began in Washington D.C. where she practiced law in two major firms before establishing roots in New York City with her husband, Dr. James Basker.