Get to know our team.
Meet the team behind BE Labs — a group of experts driven by purpose.
Blake Mitchell
Partner
Blake Mitchell (they/he) brings over eight years of experience leading culture and learning initiatives at Google and YouTube, where they managed global teams focused on employee retention and progression, oversaw recruiting learning programs and operations, and coached leaders on diversity and inclusion strategy. Additionally, they led Google’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group in San Francisco. After leaving Google and moving to Georgia in 2022 to serve as an Operations Manager for Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign, Blake became a partner at BE Labs, helping organizations strengthen culture through empathy, accountability, and connection. Blake especially enjoys working with clients to explore strategic implementation of AI—guiding teams from experimentation to purposeful application that enhances both efficiency and engagement. Known for their grounded and confident leadership style, Blake excels at facilitating conversations that invite every voice to be heard. Outside of work, they perform in drag as Mary Lou Pearl, a creative outlet that blends humor, artistry, and advocacy, and they credit The Sound of Music for sparking their lifelong love of musicals.
Courtney Jones
Partner
Courtney Jones (she/her) is an advocate for inclusion and engagement, formerly the founder and CEO of MomSource Network—an organization dedicated to helping companies create workplaces where all talent can thrive through diversity recruiting, Returnship programs, and support for trailing spouses. Featured in Bloomberg, CNN, and Working Mother, Courtney has partnered with hundreds of organizations to expand opportunities for women and underrepresented professionals. Today, she enjoys working with BE Labs clients to develop multi-year roadmaps for conversation series that open up communication and build trust across teams. Known for her ambitious and strategic mindset, Courtney brings authenticity and empathy to every interaction, always striving to “read the room” and connect with others in meaningful ways. Outside of work, she loves exploring her interest in Enneagram assessments and enjoys a great glass of wine. Her go-to walk-in songs? Beyoncé’s “Run the World” or Taylor Swift’s “The Man,” depending on the vibe.
Pam Jeffords
Partner
Pam Jeffords (she/her) credits her Louisiana roots for her belief in the power of storytelling to drive change. She has spent three decades helping organizations challenge the status quo and advance meaningful progress in equity, inclusion, and belonging. Today, Pam focuses on leading employee listening sessions that leverage technology and AI to incorporate the voices of employees around the world. In addition to serving as Chair of the Denver American Heart Association, Pam is especially proud of receiving the Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award from Mile High United Way, recognizing her passionate advocacy for philanthropy. Known for her energy, wit, and ability to “connect the dots,” Pam balances her professional drive with a deep commitment to family and fun. Outside of work, she loves golfing, baking cranberry-orange scones, and finding humor in everyday life, often with a good drink in hand and a preference for staying in the “shallow end of the pool,” where the good vibes live.
Patrice M Palmer
Partner
Dr. Patrice M Palmer (they/them) serves as Assistant Dean of Corporate & Community Engagement and Management Faculty for the College of Business at Colorado State University, where they focus on workforce strategy, organizational culture, learning design, and community engagement. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, their work bridges academia and industry through leadership development, employee engagement strategy, and organizational change. Patrice has been recognized by Forbes, 5280 Magazine, Hop Culture, and Imbibe for their impact in workplace culture and community engagement, and was named a LinkedIn Racial Equity Champion. At BE Labs, Inc., they are known for translating complex organizational challenges into practical, people-centered strategies. Outside of work, Patrice supports their partner’s beauty and candle business, enjoys music ranging from gospel to 90s R&B, and lives by the philosophy “Nosce te ipsum”, know thyself.
Anna Humphrey
Digital Maketing Analyst
Anna Humphrey (she/her) is a recent graduate from the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, and a Marketing Analyst Intern at BE Labs, where she supports digital strategy, podcast production, and rebranding initiatives that highlight diversity and inclusion. With a passion for storytelling, consumer insight, and brand development, Anna thrives at the intersection of creativity and strategy—always finding ways to connect ideas with emotion. Known for her calm, easygoing nature and dedication as both a teammate and friend, she brings thoughtful energy to every project she touches. A lifelong lover of a good romance (her favorites are Titanic and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), Anna balances her marketing work with her creative side, and after 16 years as a dancer, she still carries that same rhythm and grace into everything she does.
Maneesh Shewaramani
Senior Analytics Consultant
Maneesh Shewaramani brings a decade of experience leading operations, data, and analytics teams for professional services organizations. His expertise includes advising clients on successfully implementing data and analytics products, automation, and process optimization. He now partners with DiversityWorks Group to bring the data together to understand the story and gather actionable insights. Maneesh holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delhi and a certificate in Applied Business Analytics from MIT Sloan School of Management. Based out of Austin, Maneesh lives with his wife and two sons. During his free time, he enjoys working on home projects, building furniture, and cooking outdoors.
Mary Spriester
Project Manager &Communications
Mary Spriester (she/her) has worn many hats throughout her career, but a love for writing and communication has been the constant thread through them all. From crafting instructional manuals and improving team understanding in meetings to supporting students and unhoused individuals through volunteer work, Mary has always been driven by connection and clarity. After spending several years focused on raising her family, she now channels her passion for storytelling and empathy as part of the BE Labs team, supporting clients by ensuring that employee communications are clear and inspiring. Known for her keen eye for grammar and her belief that everyone’s story adds value, Mary brings warmth, precision, and heart to every project. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and four children, dancing to her favorite U2 songs, and living by the motto: “Do small things with great love.”
Blake Mitchell(they/he)
Senior DEI Consultant
Blake Mitchell (they/he) worked at Google for over 8 years where they managed teams in diversity & inclusion, learning & development and recruiting operations and enablement. A Georgia native, Blake moved back to the South in fall 2022 to work as an Operations Manager on Stacey Abrams’ campaign for Governor. They now partner with DiversityWorks Group to support clients on workplace culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Blake began their career in film production in Los Angeles and holds bachelor’s degrees in International Business, Finance, and Entertainment & Media Studies from the University of Georgia. Outside of work, Blake performs and educates in drag as Mary Lou Pearl and spends their summers working at an LGBTQ+ summer camp.
Courtney Jones
Senior DEI Consultant
Courtney Jones founded and sold MomSource Network, an organization dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces through targeted diversity recruiting efforts, enterprise Returnship, and Trailing Spouse programs. A passionate advocate for diversity and a recognized thought leader on topics related to women in business, D&I, and work-life blend; she’s been featured in Bloomberg, CNN, and Working Mother and has worked alongside hundreds of companies to create meaningful opportunities for women.
Patrice M Palmer
EdD, MASJ, FRSA Senior DEI Consultant
Dr. Palmer (they/them) is the inaugural Assistant Dean of Social & Cultural Inclusion and a Management faculty member at Colorado State University’s College of Business. With a Doctor of Education from Baylor University, their research focuses on inclusive workplace cultures and strategic inclusion through Employee Resource Groups. Dr. Palmer is a thought leader in DEI, recognized by Hop Culture, Imbibe, 5280, and Forbes for their work in craft beer and by LinkedIn as a racial equity champion. Their consulting experience spans industries from private equity to Broadway.
Maneesh Shewaramani
Senior Data and Analytics Consultant
Maneesh Shewaramani brings a decade of experience leading operations, data, and analytics teams for professional services organizations. His expertise includes advising clients on successfully implementing data and analytics products, automation, and process optimization. He now partners with DiversityWorks Group to bring the data together to understand the story and gather actionable insights. Maneesh holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delhi and a certificate in Applied Business Analytics from MIT Sloan School of Management. Based out of Austin, Maneesh lives with his wife and two sons. During his free time, he enjoys working on home projects, building furniture, and cooking outdoors.
Mary Spriester
Senior Communications Consultant
Mary has worn many hats over the years, but has always had a love of writing and communication. From early in her career, she found herself helping colleagues understand each other in meetings, and using personal time to write instructional manuals for everything from new employee orientation to the use of new technology. When not helping people at work, Mary has enjoyed volunteering in her local community, especially with students and with the unhoused. Currently, she is excited to couple two of her passions, writing and inclusion. In addition to her work as a freelance business writer, Mary serves on the board of Boys Hope Girls Hope, Denver. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four amazing children who make her proud each and every day.
Pam Jeffords
FoundingManaging Partner
Pam Jeffords is the Founding and Managing Partner at DiversityWorks Group. She has over 25 years of experience advising companies and organizations on how to break the status quo and drive progress with their diversity, inclusion, and engagement goals. Pam is a member of the Global Leadership Council for Colorado State University College of Business, an advisory board member for the University of Denver Colorado Women’s College, and a Limited Partner in The JumpFund whose mission is to invest in women-led startups. Pam has also served as Chair of Women United for the Mile-High United Way where she received the prestigious Frances Wisebart Jacobs award for philanthropy. Pam has been featured in numerous publications, including Fortune magazine, The Economist, and BRINK. Pam holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State.
Brielle Pray
Project Manager
Brielle Pray serves as a project manager to our clients at DiversityWorks Group; making sure we stay on track and organized each step of the way. She graduated cum laude from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama, as well as a BA in Social and Cultural Analysis from the College of Arts and Sciences. Her areas of expertise include Africana and mixed-race studies and the Meisner technique of acting. Selected as a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar and scholarship recipient, she participated in travel colloquia and community events in her undergraduate career to deepen her education on social justice topics. She was awarded Outstanding Achievement in studio and recognized as a University Honors Scholar. Passionate for both the arts and academics, Brielle offers a unique, informed perspective as a project manager to clients in their DEI endeavors.
Our Behaviors.
We Will
We Will not
