DEMOCRACY IS INCLUSION: How Exemplary Leaders Drive Performance & Civil Society

Why have DE&I efforts stalled? And what can leaders do to drive real business and social progress? To answer the first question, Valerie L. Myers Ph.D. (BA ’93, MSW ’97, MA ’01, PhD ’03) shares surprising results from her team’s study of Michigan hospitals. Then, she applies psychological frameworks to highlight skills that historic leaders used to build thriving businesses and the world’s longest standing democracy — the United States. Understanding striking parallels between democratic action and inclusivity is essential for today’s leaders to similarly guide us through economic and social volatility to vitality.

Valerie L. Myers, Ph.D. is an Organizational Psychologist and behavioral change expert that helps leaders translate rigorous research into practical people solutions. She teaches Inclusive Leadership in the University of Michigan Ross School of Business’s MBA program (2005). Valerie is also the principal of Myers Management Consulting LLC, where she serves as a trusted advisor to leaders across industries (e.g., healthcare, finance, engineering, arts, non-profit, higher education, and government). www.valeriemyers.org

Valerie has facilitated executive education for leaders and managers in Fortune 500 companies and taught at Dartmouth College, Simmons College, and AVT Institute (Copenhagen). Her research and management insights are published in academic journals, books, and practitioner publications. Valerie recently served as an Equity and Social Transformation Fellow in the finance sector, where she analyzed inclusive leadership practices. Valerie’s current work focuses on two intersecting themes: inclusive leader behaviors; and religious diversity in the workplace and civil society. This work is the fruit of her training in Organizational Psychology and Social Policy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she earned a dual doctoral degree.

Prior to academia, Valerie held positions in management, marketing, and product development within BASF Corporation, where her clients included General Motors, Ford Motor, various Japanese automakers, and diverse professionals (e.g., design, engineering, sales, and manufacturing). Valerie’s uncommon blend of academic and business expertise enables her to help clients overcome human performance challenges with practical, evidence-based solutions.

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