A visionary entrepreneur and thought leader who is passionate about driving innovation through inclusivity and collaboration. With over a decade of experience working with startups, established businesses, non-profits, economic development agencies, and large corporations, Jason has become a leading expert in the field of innovation and adaptive leadership strategies.
Throughout his career, Jason has focused on building innovative cultures that leverage diversity and inclusion as a driving force for success. As the Managing Partner of Firefly Inclusion Solutions, Jason has dedicated his career to designing frameworks, programming, and strategies that foster inclusive, purpose-driven organizations. He specializes in developing high-impact interventions, and executing on leadership and organizational commitments to DEI, driving culture change, coaching, and facilitating transformation.
Whether it’s his experience as a former founder and CEO, his time as a Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Illinois at Chicago, or his time supporting underestimated founders launch their business, Jason has experienced both the immense power of a high trust community focused on innovation, and the incredible barriers and challenges stemming from a lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
He believes that the challenges of today and tomorrow require a paradigm shift in both the mindset of leaders and the frameworks/models used to build their businesses. He believes that by building innovative cultures that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can create purpose-driven organizations that either thrive in the face of disruption or lead it for positive societal change.
Jason earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and international relations from Lake Forest College, and a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI®) and is also an accredited facilitator of Transformation through Values.
Managing Partner, Lead Facilitator
Chicago, IL
He/Him/His
Jason A.A.X. Rebello
Jason's passion for innovation and inclusion is deeply rooted in his personal experiences. Born to a Black American mother and a Tanzanian born, Indian father, he was raised in a multiethnic, racial, cultural, and spiritually diverse home. This upbringing has given him a unique lens into the power of diversity, which has been amplified by his educational journey and professional experience.
Living Our Values
Jason is a dynamic presenter and communicator with demonstrated ability to quickly build trust fostering safe spaces that empower personal growth. His training as an entrepreneur and lifelong Buddhist practice instills the mindset to view challenges as opportunities for personal transformation.
Jason loves nothing more than globetrotting with his wife to discover new cultures, delicious food, well-crafted cocktails, music that moves the body and dialogue that fosters genuine human connection.
