Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski on Promoting Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Through Must-Read Book Diversity and Organizational Development: Impacts and Opportunities

Today’s workplaces have come a long way in terms of enforcing and promoting practices that acknowledge, celebrate, and actively stand for diversity and inclusivity. However, more significant strides are needed as numerous organizations remain unaware of the importance of making people of all cultural and identity groups feel valued. Additionally, widespread discrimination continues to disadvantage those in minorities. Despite their ability and potential to be as capable as their male colleagues, women also do not enjoy the opportunities and receive the credit they deserve. An expert in sustainable development, Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski is highly cognizant of the role diversity, equity, and inclusion play in helping advance sustainability goals. Through her book, Diversity and Organizational Development: Impacts and Opportunities, she intends to provide a comprehensive resource that can help practitioners gain a deeper understanding of diversity competency. 

A respected professional with a long list of achievements under her belt, Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski is a professor in the Department of Social Responsibility and Program Coordinator for Business Administration at Northland College. This purpose-driven figure, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations and earned a Master’s degree in international security, serves as an active publishing member of the Academy of Economics and Finance and a Senior Fellow with Humanity in Action, which is an international educational organization that promotes human rights, diversity, and social justice globally. Included in her impressive portfolio is the establishment of 3P Insights, LLC, a training and consulting firm that goes all-out in helping organizations improve their income and impact.

Over the years, Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski has maneuvered countless organizations in the direction of success, helping them strengthen their triple bottom line performance and support the three pillars of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. Her efforts are rooted in the belief that businesses and nonprofit organizations can also make a difference and emerge as changemakers, but to do so, they need to put a heavy premium on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The release of Diversity and Organizational Development: Impacts and Opportunities aligns with Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski’s overarching mission to highlight the weight inclusion and diversity hold in the pursuit of sustainability. Designed for practitioners, scholars, and students alike, this primer draws upon interdisciplinary perspectives, from business and economics to psychology and sociology to provide a comprehensive approach to developing inclusive workplaces. 

“This book helps current and future organizational leaders to develop their diversity competency,” explained Dr. Jennifer Kuklenski, whose fifteen years of research in diversity and cultural studies became the backbone of Diversity and Organizational Development. “Concepts of diversity management are explained as value-added activities that increase creativity and innovation, improve problem-solving and organizational flexibility, and aid in the recruitment and retention of top talent.”

Since its release, Diversity and Organizational Development: Impacts and Opportunities has aided institutions and individuals in understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion and how to build more welcoming and supportive workplaces. Moreover, it has been used in college coursework and perused by undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of business, organizational development, leadership, and management.