We are fortunate to partner with other diversity and inclusion practitioners who each bring their own unique expertise and perspective to helping our clients.

K. Iwata Associates, Inc. is a nationally recognized diversity-consulting firm. Since 1987, its founder and President, Kay Iwata has built a reputation in the field for quality services and products, integrity and exceptional customer service. On average, the source of 75% of KIA, Inc. business is repeat business from existing clients or client referrals.

Four keys capabilities have driven KIA, Inc.'s success:
  • Ability to zero in on a client's desired outcome, assess options and implement a workable action plan
  • Ability to staff services with high caliber diversity professionals
  • Ability to build solid relationships between and among all stakeholders
  • Ability to provide value added expertise, leading edge thinking and experience

Our Mission
To act as a catalyst to assist organizations to develop their capability to maximize the power of diversity as a strategic resource and competitive advantage.


Kay Iwata, Founder and President
Kay Iwata is a nationally recognized and respected diversity consultant with over twenty years of experience in management development and training, marketing, finance and education. She has worked extensively with a wide diversity of organizations to mobilize their commitment and support for diversity into concrete, measurable actions. The Strategic Diversity (5-S) Process model has been widely and successfully used. Ms. Iwata's highly acclaimed Diversity Concepts and Competencies educational programming has been utilized in major corporations across the United States and abroad. An often-requested speaker, Ms. Iwata has keynoted and moderated several discussions on diversity issues. She has presented to numerous professional organizations, including the American Management Association, the National Diversity Conference, The Center for Creative Leadership and the Hartford Graduate Center. Ms. Iwata holds a degree in sociology and history as well as an administrative and teaching credential from San Francisco State University.


Julie O'Mara, O'Mara and Associates, Strategic Partner
Julie O'Mara is president of O'Mara and Associates, an organizational development consulting firm specializing in leadership, facilitation, and managing diversity. An associate of the Management Research Group, she is certified to use its Leadership 360® process. She is the former director of communications for The Marmon Group, a billion-dollar international conglomerate. She began her career in marketing communications at Whirlpool Corporation. She is co-author of Managing Workforce 2000: Gaining the Diversity Advantage, a bestseller published by Jossey-Bass and author of Diversity Activities and Training Designs. With Alan Richter she co-authored Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks in 2006. A former National President of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), Julie is currently a reviewer for the International Workplace Learning Awards. She is an Emeritus Member of the Diversity Collegium, professionals dedicated to advancing the field of Diversity, and a Sponsor Emeritus of Diversity 2000, a learning community of diversity professionals.


Juan Lopez, Amistad Associates, Strategic Partner
Juan T. Lopez began his consulting career in diversity in 1980. His work in diversity began with race relations. Since 1985 Juan has assisted government agencies in organizational change and development, leadership, and reinvention. He has worked with many private and public organizations to create hospitable work environments that value and practice diversity. In addition, he consults on strategic design of organizational change to prepare for survival and competition in public service. Juan has his M.S.W. from the University of California at Berkeley, School of Social Welfare, where he emphasized organizational planning/administration and community health services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and in Latin-American Studies from Sonoma State University. He co-created Diversity 2000, a national think tank that meets annually to work on compelling diversity issues. The group has produced nine reports of innovative ideas and programs. In addition, Juan was the co-chair for three years of the National Diversity Conference, a premier national event addressing diversity issues.


Loretta Van Pelt, L.VanPelt Consulting and Training Group, Strategic Partner
Loretta Van Pelt is a consultant with over 13 years of Diversity/Inclusion and organizational development experience, specializing in the development and evaluation of diversity initiatives and diversity education. She has over 20 years of corporate experience including 12 years in management functions. She has been involved in the development and implementation of training programs and the merger of departments within two major corporations. Loretta understands the complexity of driving diversity in an organization and the necessary integration between people, business and operational functions. Ms. VanPelt received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University. She earned a Masters of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.


Greg Clark, Coach Centric, Strategic Partner
Greg Clark, Ph.D., is a diversity consultant, facilitator and executive coach with more than 20 years of experience in leadership and team development. He has been in leadership roles in large and small corporations, held teaching roles at two major universities and has more than 10 years in leadership development. Greg has a specialty in developing career management programs that focus on helping those who do not "map" to the dominant culture of their organizations become more effective at driving their careers. He is a frequent speaker for professional groups, affinity groups and universities, including topics focused on the role of white men in diversity and inclusion initiatives. He is currently conducting research to assess the perceptions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace comparing straight, white male's perceptions to others. Greg has a BA in Education from Michigan State University, a Masters and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University.


In loving memory of Dr. Price Cobbs
Price M. Cobbs, M. D. was an internationally recognized psychiatrist and management consultant for Pacific Management Systems as well as an influential strategic partner for K. Iwata Associates. His clients ranged from global corporations to inner city businesses and included government and community agencies. Pacific Management Systems, the company he founded, consulted with organizations on leadership, executive development and diversity strategies. His writings include Black Rage and the Jesus Bag coauthored with William Grier, Cracking the Corporate Code: From Survival to Mastery coauthored with Judith L. Turnock, and My American Life: From Rage to Entitlement, a memoir of Dr. Cobbs's incredible life and contributions to the field. Dr. Cobbs was a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.




   
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