Leading with Belonging

At ghSMART, inclusion isn’t treated as a side initiative – it’s embedded in how the firm grows, hires, and supports its people. And at the heart of that effort is Sonita Johal, who wears two important hats: Senior Executive Recruiter and DEI Lead.

Based in ghSMART’s London office, Sonita is responsible for recruiting top-tier consultants across Europe, Canada, and Australia. But her influence extends beyond talent acquisition. As DEI Lead, she plays a central role in ensuring that the firm’s culture remains inclusive, supportive, and grounded in its values.

“For me, this role aligned closely with my own personal values,” she shares. “I saw it as an opportunity to contribute towards the great culture that has been built at this firm.”

Sonita’s belief in the power of belonging shapes everything she does.

“I’ve always believed that people do their best work – and live their best lives – when they feel truly seen, heard, and valued,” she says. “That feeling of belonging on a daily basis and authenticity in how we show up for one another is not a given within organizations, and I think we do a pretty good job of it.”

She acknowledges that fostering this type of environment takes continuous work.

“While there is so much that we are getting right when it comes to our firm values, fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels a true sense of belonging requires intentional effort every single day.”

Belonging Starts with Who We Hire

Sonita’s dual role offers a unique perspective on how hiring shapes company culture. For her, inclusion begins during recruitment.

“We start by hiring kind, collaborative, supportive colleagues that get energy from investing in others and lifting each other up,” she explains. “It’s on all of us to help shape a culture where people don’t just show up – they genuinely feel valued for who they are.”

At ghSMART, values aren’t just aspirational – they’re practical. Each hiring decision reflects a commitment to building a team where people can thrive personally and professionally.

“When you think about ‘generosity and gratitude’ and what this means day-to-day, it is about listening with care, leaning in to support colleagues where you can, and recognizing each other's contributions.”

Sonita also points to the firm’s flexible work model as a key ingredient in building belonging. Freedom and autonomy aren’t just benefits – they’re tools for helping people show up as their best selves.

“When people have the autonomy to live and work in ways that align with who they are, they’re more connected – not just to the work, but to each other.”

Inclusion is a Team Effort

For Sonita, building a strong and inclusive culture isn’t a one-person job. It’s something the entire firm contributes to.

“We treat DEI as a shared responsibility,” she says. “It’s not just about policies, one person’s role, or the DEI team shouldering this – it’s about how everyone at the firm shows up for each other every day.”

That shared responsibility shows up in small, daily actions: mentoring, thoughtful decision-making, creating space for diverse perspectives, and truly listening. These practices help ensure that inclusion is woven into the fabric of the organization, making it a core principle rather than an afterthought.

“Whether it's through mentoring, inclusive decision-making, or simply taking the time to learn from one another, we should all be looking for ways to show up with heart,” Sonita says.

Purpose in Action

One recent experience stood out to Sonita as a reflection of what ghSMART’s culture looks like in practice. At the firm’s all-team summit in May, colleagues took part in a meaningful project that blended purpose and teamwork.

“Our team came together for a truly meaningful experience with a company called Odyssey. As part of the activity, we built 38 prosthetic hands that will be donated to amputees around the world who are in need,” she shares.

It was more than just a group activity. For Sonita, it was a powerful expression of the firm’s values and its ability to make an impact beyond client work.

“It was a powerful reminder that our impact extends far beyond the work we do with clients – we have the ability to make a real difference in our communities, too.”

The experience also highlighted how a sense of belonging and shared mission can deepen collaboration across teams.

“Not only did we work in smaller teams to reach our goal, but we naturally stepped in to support one another across groups – offering help when it was needed and welcoming it when it was offered,” she says. “That spirit of collaboration made the experience even more meaningful. It was a powerful reminder that we truly are better together, and that the strength of our team lies in how we show up for one another.”

Looking Ahead

As ghSMART continues to grow, Sonita sees more opportunities to deepen the culture of inclusion and belonging. Her focus is on embedding DEI into leadership development, career progression, and everyday interactions across the firm.

She believes that creating a sense of belonging isn’t just about having the right initiatives – it’s about building relationships and reinforcing values consistently.

“Belonging doesn’t happen by accident,” she says. “It’s something we have to cultivate, protect, and champion – together.”

For Sonita, the goal isn’t just a diverse and inclusive workforce. It’s a team where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to do their best work – because they know they matter.

In her own words, “Being the ‘best you’ is possible when you are able to bring your authentic self to work and you feel supported in growing personally and professionally.”

At ghSMART, Sonita Johal is helping to ensure that vision becomes a reality – one intentional action, one relationship, and one hire at a time.

Interested in joining a team where people and values come first? Learn more about careers at ghSMART here.