Elise Smith

How do you fix workplace bias?

Elise Smith says: Make people live it.

As co-founder and CEO of Praxis Labs, Elise Smith is pioneering the use of VR and AI-driven immersive learning to tackle bias, inclusion, and leadership development.

How does it work?

Employees experience real workplace scenarios in VR.

From performance reviews to difficult conversations.

Taking on multiple perspectives, including those who face discrimination.

Then, they practice responding in real time and receive personalized coaching through AI-driven simulations.

The results speak for themselves:
- 68% of learners are more likely to stay at their company.
- 75% of Black and Latino employees report feeling a greater sense of belonging.
- Raised $23M, backed by investors like Steph Curry’s Penny Jar Capital & SoftBank.
- Trusted by Google, Uber, Target, and more to build inclusive, high-performing teams.

Elise’s path to Praxis Labs started at IBM Watson, where she worked on AI in education, before joining NewSchools Venture Fund to support diverse entrepreneurs.

Her mission? Scale access and opportunity for all.

And she’s just getting started.

Praxis Labs just launched a new AI-powered leadership training.

Helping managers navigate high-stakes topics like workplace conflict, performance management, and even political tension.