Lily Zheng (they/them) is a sought-after speaker, strategist, and organizational consultant who specializes in hands-on systemic change to turn positive intentions into positive outcomes for workplaces and everyone in them. A dedicated changemaker and advocate, Lily has had their work published in the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, and NPR. They are the author of The Ethical Sellout, DEI Deconstructed, and Reconstructing DEI. Lily holds an MA in sociology and a BA in psychology from Stanford University. They live with their wife in the San Francisco Bay Area and can frequently be found putting together yet another all-black outfit and enjoying good Chinese food.
“In a time when fear, fatigue, and anti-DEI backlash threaten to erode our shared humanity, this guide offers a clear, actionable path forward for organizations via a framework that’s not only accessible to every leader and practitioner, but a call to action we can all embrace as changemakers. Inspiring, challenging, and critical for this moment.” —Theresita Richard, Chief People & Culture Officer and Global Head of Justice & Belonging, Patagonia “This book doesn’t just point out what’s broken in DEI; it shows us how to fix it. Zheng’s honest, evidence-based approach is exactly what leaders need today to turn values into impact.” —Asif Sadiq, Chief Inclusion Officer, Warner Brothers Discovery “With their trademark no-nonsense, evidence-based approach, Zheng has made the complex art of building better workplaces for everyone practical, and powerful. This work is a beacon in an environment of uncertainty and chaos.” —Shelley J. Correll, Professor of Sociology and Organizational Behavior, Stanford University, and President, American Sociological Association “If you are a leader caught in the whipsawing discussion around diversity, equity, and inclusion, you need to read Zheng's powerful and convincing book, to guide you out of polarized, zero-sum thinking. With brilliance and clarity, they guide us through a framework that just might actually create the inclusive workplaces we all need and deserve.” —Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor, NYU Stern, and former Executive Director, Ethical Systems