Authorship

Go from confused to ready to act with confidence.

From experienced strategist Lily Zheng comes a bold deconstruction of why traditional diversity programs fail and what it takes to create real change. DEI Deconstructed combines research and frontline experience to expose common pitfalls while offering a fresh framework for meaningful inclusion work.

Its companion workbook, Reconstructing DEI, provides practitioners with 40 practical exercises packed with tools and metrics to build capacity, expand a practitioner's toolkit, and progress the maturity of any diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy from surface-level to embedded, effective, and sustained.

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Testimonials

"Reconstructing DEI is the book I wish I had ten years ago and last week all at the same time. Zheng breaks down a dizzying array of the fundamental skills and modes of analysis that determine success in DEI in a way that’s clear and approachable. It should be required reading for all advocates and practitioners."

Aubrey Blanche
CEO, The Mathpath, and Senior Director of People Operations, CultureAmp

"Reconstructing DEI is a comprehensive, no-nonsense workbook for impacting change. It’s a step-by-step guide on making organizational DEI goals a reality, without losing yourself in the process. Much like its companion book, Reconstructing DEI is a must-have guide and reference."

Alexis Robertson
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Foley & Lardner LLP

"Jam-packed with tactics and tools, Reconstructing DEI is the single-source field guide to implementing evidence-based DEI practices in any organization. Lily Zheng masterfully assembles the salient elements of DEI work for anyone serious about creating a more equitable workplace—including senior leaders, practitioners, middle managers, and employee resource groups—so they can overcome common hurdles and achieve early wins."

David G. Smith
PhD and W. Brad Johnson, PhD, coauthors of Good Guys and Athena Rising

"Look no further than Lily Zheng’s Reconstructing DEI to get to the heart of transformational action. To move from good intentions to long-lasting change. To go from deconstructing exclusionary workplaces to reconstructing cultures of belonging. Everyone needs this book!"

Ruchika Tulshyan
bestselling author of Inclusion on Purpose

About

Lily Zheng
FAIR Strategist & Consultant, Principal of Zheng Consulting

LILY ZHENG (they/them) is a no-nonsense strategist, consultant, and author who helps leaders and practitioners build fair, accessible, inclusive, and representative organizations. Lily’s work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, and NPR, and their bestselling books lay out the practical skills and knowledge anyone can use to create the healthy workplaces we all deserve.

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LinkedIn Writings

Selected Harvard Business Review Articles

More Lily Titles

Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Discrimination

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The Ethical Sellout: Maintaining Your Integrity in the Age of Compromise

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