August 22, 2024
Escalent is pleased to announce the appointment of two exceptional leaders to its executive team. Abhinav Kothari has joined as chief information and technology officer, and Kisha Payton has been appointed as chief diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officer and global head of culture. These strategic positions underscore Escalent’s commitment to fostering an inclusive culture and driving technological innovation across the enterprise.
Abhinav Kothari, Chief Information & Technology Officer
Kothari is a seasoned technologist driven by a deep passion for leveraging technology to augment human capabilities and known for his collaborative approach to delivering software solutions that add significant value to end-users. His expertise in automation and artificial intelligence, including intelligent automation and actionable intelligence, will be pivotal in advancing Escalent’s digital transformation initiatives.
Before joining Escalent, Kothari was the Chief Technology Officer at Vivvix. In this advertising intelligence company, he introduced a state-of-the-art technology stack and led the creation of a data office to enhance data transparency and accessibility. Prior to Vivvix, he served as vice president of engineering at MRI-Simmons, where he integrated platforms and spearheaded digital conversions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We look forward to Abhinav’s expertise advancing our strategic initiatives and uncovering growth opportunities to keep Escalent and its business units, C Space and Hall & Partners, at the forefront of technological innovation,” said Melissa Sauter, CEO of Escalent. “Abhinav’s forward-thinking leadership will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and enhance our capabilities for our clients.”
Kothari earned a degree in computer science engineering from University of Pune, India.
Kisha Payton, Chief DEI Officer and Global Head of Culture
Payton brings extensive experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to Escalent, where she will drive the integration of DEI principles throughout the organization. With 14 years at C Space, she established the company’s Employee Resource Group program, led the DEI ThinkTank and built an inclusive employer brand. Known for her innovative communications and change management initiatives, Payton is committed to embedding DEI into all business strategies and operations.
In addition to focusing on building a lasting DEI infrastructure that enhances the employee journey and developing DEI education and communication systems, Payton is responsible for scaling the DEI ThinkTank to expand inclusive insights for clients across the enterprise’s research and advisory services.
“Kisha brings a wealth of experience and a valuable perspective to our executive team. Her passion for fostering an inclusive environment and her talent for affecting meaningful change will be an important driver of our culture,” said Sauter. “With the support of her leadership, we are eager to weave DEI into every aspect of our work, ensuring that everyone at Escalent feels respected and empowered.”
Payton earned a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Spelman College.
