Robin J. Ely

Robin J. Ely serves as the Warren Alpert Professor at Harvard Business School, where she holds the Diane B. Diver Chair of Administration and Applied Social Sciences and co-directs the Gender Initiative. Ely is recognized for her scholarship in gender, diversity, and leadership, contributing research on how inclusive organizational cultures impact performance and innovation. Her work addresses complex social dynamics within organizations, providing insights for leaders aiming to leverage diversity in the workplace.

Ely's professional experience includes founding and leading the Center for Gender, Race, Leadership, and Engagement, as well as authoring works such as "'Targeted' Gender Equality Programs: Tokenism, Ambivalence, or Catalyst?" and numerous Harvard Business School case studies on race, gender, and leadership. She has contributed to executive education by directing programs that provide leaders with strategies to create equitable workplaces. Ely's research into overcoming systemic biases has established her as a speaker and expert in inclusive leadership and organizational change.

Through her roles at Harvard Business School and her public speaking engagements, Ely addresses topics such as ambivalence in diversity initiatives and the importance of authentic inclusion. Her presentations focus on evidence-based approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering practical guidance for organizations seeking to address workplace bias and foster inclusive leadership.