Episode 17: Leading with Equity: Howard Ross on the Future of DEI, Bias, and Business Value

Inside CVC by u-path

In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Howard Ross—author, consultant, and one of the nation’s preeminent thought leaders on unconscious bias and organizational change. Howard brings a candid, historical, and forward-looking perspective on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at a time when the topic is both urgent and contested.

Listeners will hear:

• Why DEI has always followed a “three steps forward, two steps back” cycle—and what makes this moment unique.
• How unconscious bias quietly shapes hiring, investing, and innovation decisions—and ways leaders can address it without fueling backlash.
• The intersection of DEI with AI, future of work, and disability inclusion—and how corporate leaders can build equity into both culture and shareholder value.

The CVC Open Innovation Summit Europe takes place November 25–26 in Berlin, during AsiaBerlin Innovation Week. Positioned as a bridge between Europe, the U.S., and Asia’s fast-growing ecosystems, the summit is a curated, invitation-only forum for senior leaders to tackle the issues shaping innovation: AI, geopolitics, energy resilience, health, sustainability, and more. Listeners are invited to request an invitation at cvc-summit.com → E

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