TrailBlazers: How Top Business Leaders are Accelerating Results through Inclusion and Diversity

Acknowledgments

It is only fitting that a book of this nature be developed through collaboration. In the true spirit of inclusion and diversity this book is an outcome not only of the authors' experiences and knowledge but of the many others who provided their wisdom and insights as well. To everyone who made this book possible, we say a heartfelt "thank you."

This book has been in the making for several years. In fact, we can fondly recall the exact diversity conference that Lenora and I attended where this idea was born. During a hallway conversation at a break, both Lenora and I agreed that we should write a book. We were certain that a book of this nature did not exist, and that we had a contribution to make to this field and to this body of knowledge. Over the years and through our individual work we've demonstrated that we are strong believers in our obligation to help others navigate and succeed at being successful leaders. We hold a special affinity in particular for Chief Diversity Officers who lead and drive organizational change. It was on that day that a seed was planted.

Little did we know that it would be several years before we would actually begin to take action on that seminal idea. We believe that like fine wine, some ideas get better with time and that there is a time for everything. This book was born of a sincere desire to share our personal expertise and the considerable body of knowledge residing within the brains of experienced, successful Chief Diversity Officers ...