Illinois ADVANCE (I-ADVANCE) Program

With degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo jokes that he had already done rocket science and brain surgery before facing a really complex problem: convincing business leaders they can make more money by creating more inclusive organizations. Paolo is founder of DEI tech company Aleria and the research nonprofit ARC. A former tenured professor, he is an adjunct at NYU and chair of the annual D&I Research Conference. Paolo is a sought-after speaker, author of the award-winning book "Measuring Inclusion" and a Forbes contributor. He has received numerous awards for his work, including a Moonshot House Fellowship from the Kravis Center for Social Impact.

Abstract

This presentation takes a candid look at some of the problems with typical DEI approaches that have contributed to the backlash. We present a different way of approaching DEI, one that recognizes the foundational role of inclusion as a source of greater diversity and higher performance. We explain why inclusion has been so difficult to define and measure, and introduce a unique methodology to analyzing inclusion data. We show sample results from a range of case studies, and discuss some of the unique benefits of measuring inclusion, especially as an antidote to the current anti-DEI backlash.