SPOTLIGHT: Reconstructing DEI, With Lily Zheng

Despite ongoing obstacles to diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) initiatives — such as employee pushback — author and
consultant Lily Zheng argues HR leaders should continue to drive
DEI outcomes by balancing ownership with individual
accountability. Lily joins the Talent Angle to offer advice from
their book, “Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner’s Workbook,”
based on their book “DEI Deconstructed.”


 


Lily situates the current DEI landscape within its broader
history and outlines how DEI leaders can increase their impact
while protecting their own well-being. They also dive into
actionable steps for managers who want to advance DEI outcomes
yet worry about saying or doing the right thing.


 




Lily Zheng (they/them) is a no-nonsense DEI strategist,
consultant, speaker and author who helps organizations and
leaders achieve the DEI outcomes they aspire to. A dedicated
practitioner and advocate named a Forbes D&I Trailblazer,
2021 DEI Influencer, and LinkedIn Top Voice on Racial Equity,
Lily has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, New
York Times and NPR. Their bestselling books, “DEI
Deconstructed” and “Reconstructing DEI,” describe
cutting-edge, accountable, and effective practices that can
enable any leader to create the diverse, equitable and
inclusive organizations we all deserve.


 




Caroline Walsh is a managing vice president in Gartner’s
HR practice. Her teams help HR leaders build
and execute talent, diversity, rewards, and learning
strategies and programs. Caroline has also led Gartner
research teams on commercial banking strategy and
leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian
studies from Columbia University, and a master’s degree
in public affairs from Princeton University.