Janelle Liceaga Rojas (she/her/ella)

Event Experience Architect & Designer | Engagement & Inclusion Strategist | ERG Consultant | AI Learner | Vacation Rental Interior Design

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

About

Accomplished diversity, equity, and inclusion employment branding, events, and program manager with a track record of successful initiatives to expand employee diversity, inclusion and belonging globally. With over ten years of experience mastering audience and cultural intelligence, I have effectively develop from ground-up or leverage initiatives for employee resource groups, employee learning and development trainings, multicultural marketing campaigns, and employee brand awareness focused on the employee lifecycle. As a creative visionary who designs, develops, and implements programs and events, I like to stay abreast of current trends in order to maximize the experiences of people in the projects I manage. I am also enthusiastic about working with organizations to develop and promote their employment brand from a DEI lens in order to attract high-quality, diverse candidates through local, regional, and global events and to ensure a positive candidate and employee experience. In addition, I have over twenty years of working experience designing, curating, and executing year-round inclusion events while integrating activities to enhance their global learning and engagement experiences. I have transferable skills in multicultural marketing, events (in-person, hybrid, and online), and project management in industries such as technology, biotechnology, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and non-profit organizations. The results of my strategic work have been included in the Global Diversity Report, Investor Year Report, and People Experience Survey for Fortune 500 companies. As an interesting fact about my global experience, I have traveled to over 27 countries (and counting) for both personal and professional reasons. I enjoy meeting new people, exchanging knowledge regarding our cultures and countries, learning from and collaborating with them, and identifying opportunities where we can network, grow, and gain new experiences.

Experience

  • Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at Chewy
    Jun 2023 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    I believe that inclusion is most powerful when it's felt across every level of an organization. At Chewy, I’ve had the privilege of helping build that sense of belonging by working alongside passionate team members to grow and strengthen our diverse Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs). What began as a rebrand and foundational work quickly grew into something larger—launching new TMRGs, aligning engagement across corporate, fulfillment, and customer care teams, and reaching a 97% satisfaction rate from members who felt more seen and connected. We expanded into Fulfillment Centers and Customer Care for the first time, hosted 40+ cultural programs, and published events that brought visibility to voices and stories across our organization. One of my proudest moments was developing the methodology for enterprise-wide cultural and inclusive events, along with a blueprint to scale these initiatives across Corp, FCs, and CCs—designed to support growth and amplify impact. Separately, I led a 3-day hybrid summit for 50+ TMRG leaders and executive sponsors, tailored to foster collaboration, professional development, and alignment with organizational goals. Behind the scenes, I built the supporting structure—playbooks, DEI SOPs, and scalable frameworks—ensuring these experiences and their impact could extend far beyond a single event. More than anything, I’m committed to creating spaces where people feel they belong—and supporting our team members who make that possible every day.

  • Membership Chair at Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance (Viva PR)
    Jan 2020 - Jul 2025 · 5 yrs 7 mos

    Viva Puerto Rico Short-Term Rental Alliance (Viva PR) is a coalition of short-term rental (STR) property owners, professional property managers, and other tourism-related business owners that support this tourism segment. I manage membership strategies for recruiting, development, engagement, events, and partnerships in the industry.

  • Sr. Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Manager at PerkinElmer, Inc.
    Feb 2021 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos

    I didn’t set out to build DEI programs—I set out to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Throughout my career, I’ve led global, enterprise-wide DEI strategies rooted in authenticity and action. At PerkinElmer, I helped launch the company’s first Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) program, developing a global strategic plan and manual with essential policies, resources, and tools to guide sustainable ERG growth. That work laid the foundation for launching Inclusion Champions and a comprehensive DEI training curriculum that reached 95% of our global workforce. I led the rollout of 20+ cultural events—both global and regional—supported by a dynamic DEI landing page featuring educational videos, interactive activities, learning resources, cultural events & celebrations, and employee stories. These events drove over 30,000 impressions and sparked meaningful engagement across all levels of the organization. In parallel, I curated DEI learning experiences on internal platforms and partnered with external vendors to deliver unconscious bias and inclusive leadership training. I also contributed to initiatives that strengthened employee experience—such as shaping the Employee Value Proposition, improving internal mobility, and launching inclusive recruiting training across AMERICAS, EMEAI, KOSJ, and CHINA. My work has been recognized with the "Marking a Difference" Award and honors for "We Take Responsibility and Get It Done" and "Passion for People." Above all, I lead with purpose, work collaboratively, and genuinely care about people—creating inclusive spaces that lift others up and help shape a culture where everyone feels they belong.

  • Professional Services Consultant at Janelle Liceaga Consulting
    Oct 2019 - Feb 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    I’ve always been drawn to the challenge of connecting people to experiences—and brands to purpose. As a brand and hospitality consultant, I’ve had the privilege of guiding small businesses through that process: helping them clarify their vision, center their audience, and build systems that last. Alongside this, I’ve been developing my own vision in short-term rental investment. Two projects highlight this journey. The first involved partnering with small businesses to assess needs, provide strategic insights, and co-create solutions that attract and engage customers while designing experiences that leave a lasting positive impression. The second was my personal investment in a vacation beach property in Puerto Rico. This property, impacted by Hurricane Maria in 2017, became an opportunity to design and completely remodel a villa: I created a high-standard property with thoughtful amenities, a story woven into every detail, and a welcoming environment that ensures guests enjoy their stay and want to return. If you’re looking for a unique beach escape in Puerto Rico, I invite you to experience it https://www.airbnb.com/hosting/listings/editor/39389940/view-your-space. villaalmamarina.com (new website under construction Sept 2025) I believe great consulting blends empathy and clarity. It’s about helping teams see challenges differently, uncover hidden opportunities, and shape ideas into meaningful outcomes. From branding to customer and stakeholder experience, I bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach—grounded in data, cultural insight, and a deep commitment to positive experiences. At the core of my work is a simple belief: every interaction—whether with a candidate, customer, guests, or team member—is an opportunity to help someone feel understood, respected, and empowered.

  • DEI Employment Brand Management at Akamai Technologies
    Jan 2016 - Oct 2019 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    I’m passionate about helping companies become places where people want to work—and where they feel they belong even before they apply. At Akamai, I had the opportunity to lead our global employment brand and DEI hiring event strategy—driving awareness, engagement, and impact across more than 100 tech-diversity events. From launching our careers page to growing our social media presence and building dedicated landing pages for each event, my focus has always been on authentic, measurable employer branding. By partnering with Talent Acquisition, D&I, and Emerging Talent teams, we developed strategies that led to a 25% increase in diverse hires. We reached over 59,000 attendees, generated 18,000+ leads, and saw social media engagement climb by 15% per event. These efforts helped Akamai earn recognition as a Top Place to Work—a reflection of the work we put into telling our story the right way. I managed full-cycle event planning and execution: sponsorships, vendor relationships, budgeting, guidelines, employee communications, and brand messaging. I also evaluated the ROI of our efforts and provided insights to leadership, connecting impact with strategy. Beyond the events, I helped shape our Employee Value Proposition (EVP), Brand Ambassador program, and internal communications approach—ensuring our people and values came through at every touchpoint. I thrive at the intersection of employer brand, inclusive hiring, and culture-building—and I’m always excited to connect with others doing the same and learn from our audiences.