As diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts face growing backlash and stagnation, many leaders are grappling with how to sustain their organizations' forward progress. In this timely and thought-provoking session, Lily Zheng, acclaimed workplace strategist and author of Fixing Fairness: 4 Tenets to Transform Diversity Backlash into Progress for All, introduces a bold, practical framework for reimagining DEI.

Drawing on more than a decade of consulting experience and extensive research, Zheng will challenge you to see the present moment as an opportunity to evolve beyond the shortcomings of traditional DEI strategies. They will share a new, results-driven alternative, the FAIR Framework, centered on outcomes, systems, coalition-building, and shared benefit that they have developed to support organizations to transform performative efforts into measurable progress. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of why many DEI initiatives fall short and how to rebuild trust, align stakeholders, and create workplaces that work better for everyone. Whether you’re leading organizational change or care about creating more inclusive workplaces, this session will equip you with the tools to navigate complexity and drive lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

• Understand why many traditional DEI efforts stall or face backlash and how to design a more effective, credible path forward.
• Discover the four tenets of the FAIR Framework and how to apply them to create measurable, organization-wide impact.
• Learn strategies to build broader coalitions, align stakeholders, and communicate the shared benefits of fairness for all.

About the Author

Lily Zheng (they/them) is a no-nonsense strategist, consultant, and author who helps leaders and practitioners build workplaces that work for everyone. They are the creator of the FAIR Framework, an evidence-based approach giving guidance to those driving the next evolution of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion. Lily’s work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, and NPR, and their bestselling books, DEI Deconstructed, Reconstructing DEI, and Fixing Fairness, lay out the practical skills and knowledge anyone can use to create the healthy workplaces we all deserve.