Achieving a healthy, productive and peaceful society in which systems are just, fair and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential should be the goal of organizational leaders throughout the state of WI. However, despite the emergence of an interconnected and global society, we continue to be challenged with equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). These challenges may be defined by misperceptions and biases we have of others; the disconnect between achieving organizational excellence and having an ill-equipped EDI-ready organization; or the lack of understanding of where to start in advancing on the EDI journey within an organization.

Organizational leaders must not only possess the knowledge and will to advance EDI within their respective organizations, but also understand their biases and be knowledgeable of the historical context of discrimination, non-inclusive behaviors actions, and culture that have played in creating an unjust society, be intentional about employing strategies to advance EDI and develop cultural competence that allows for differences.