Discussion on Workplace Inclusivity Concludes Ninth Season of Bank of America Women's Leadership Series
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HOUSTON, May 15, 2024 — The ninth season of Asia Society Texas' Bank of America Women's Leadership Series closed with a thought-provoking program on fostering inclusivity and equality in organizations, businesses, and communities. Opening with a book presentation of Working Together: Practicing the Science of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Rice University professors Dr. Mikki Hebl and Dr. Eden King, the program also featured a panel discussion where the authors were joined by Judy Le, president of TakeRoot Leadership Consulting and Coaching, with moderation by Bank of America Houston president Hong Ogle.
During the book presentation, Dr. Hebl and Dr. King shared the fundamental findings of their 25-year research process on promoting workplace effectiveness and reducing identity bias, and emphasized that inclusion initiatives are essential in today's rapidly changing and increasingly diverse workplaces. Dr. Hebl outlined how these initiatives can have a "curb-cut effect," which describes how accommodations initially made for one group can eventually benefit a much larger, more diverse group. For example, installing ramps for wheelchair mobility can also help people with strollers and luggage. In the workplace context, the curb-cut effect means that initiatives designed to support underserved or underrepresented groups can also improve the overall work environment and productivity.
Help Us Build a More Inclusive World
In the panel discussion, Dr. King emphasized that it is unlikely for a single initiative to lead to lasting change, as meaningful progress requires a long-term, multilayered commitment. Adding to this, Le discussed how three key groups need to be activated in order to create organizational change: individuals need to embrace behaviors that support the new change; institutions must have policies, rules, and procedures in place; and the culture must reflect the values and beliefs that are being promoted. The panel also shared practical strategies for promoting inclusivity, including acknowledging identities, committing to long-term change, creating fair structures, and empowering individuals to take action in their spheres of influence.
The program concluded with a dynamic audience Q&A, during which the speakers addressed questions about the challenges faced by women and other underrepresented groups in positions of leadership, as well as organizational resistance to change and the importance of avoiding stereotypes.
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About the Speakers
Dr. Mikki Hebl is the Martha and Henry Malcolm Lovett Professor of Psychological Sciences with an additional appointment in the Jones Business School. Mikki’s research focuses on workplace discrimination and the ways both individuals and organizations can remediate such discrimination and successfully optimize diversity. She has approximately 200 publications, 21 teaching awards (including the most prestigious national award called the Cherry Award), research grants from NSF and NIH, and several gender-related research awards. For instance, in 2014, she was honored with the Academy of Management’s Sage Award for lifetime achievement in research advancing knowledge of gender and diversity in organizations, and in 2018, she was selected as the Woman in Academia with Outstanding Career Award from the business school at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. She graduated with her B.A. from Smith College and Ph.D. from Dartmouth College.
Dr. Eden King is the Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Rice University where she is pursuing a program of research that seeks to guide the equitable and effective management of diverse organizations. This research — which has yielded over 100 scholarly products and has been featured in outlets such as the New York Times, Good Morning America, and Harvard Business Review — addresses three primary themes: 1) current manifestations of discrimination and barriers to work-life balance in organizations, 2) consequences of such challenges for its targets and their workplaces, and 3) individual and organizational strategies for reducing discrimination and increasing support for families. In addition to her scholarship, Dr. King has partnered with organizations to improve diversity climate, increase fairness in selection systems, and to design and implement diversity training programs. She has served as President of the Society for I-O Psychology and is currently co-editor of the Journal of Business and Psychology.
Judy Le has over 20 years of leadership development experience, previously as a change management consultant at Deloitte Consulting and director at Rice University. As president of TakeRoot, she works with organizations to empower leadership at every level. She is also on the faculty team for the American Leadership Forum and LeaderShape, and teaches the leadership certificate at the Glasscock School at Rice University. Judy is a certified executive and team coach. She is proud to serve on the boards of EMERGE Fellowship, Post Oak School, and American Leadership Forum National.
About the Moderator
Hong Ogle is Bank of America Houston President. She helps meet the financial needs of individuals, families and businesses by connecting them to the right resources within Bank of America. Hong also leads Bank of America’s local environment, social, and governance work, leveraging the company’s unmatched capabilities to help the region address social and economic challenges and build stronger communities. In addition to her role as Houston President, Hong is the Central South Division Executive for the Bank of America Private Bank. In this role, Hong has the responsibilities to supervise the Private Bank offices in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and the surrounding states to deliver top financial solutions to our Ultra-High New Worth clients.
Hong started her career in the early 90’s as a Financial Advisor and moved into management in 1999. Hong joined Bank of America in a leadership position in 2010. Born and raised in Beijing, China, Hong received her Bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University before coming to the U.S. in 1990 for graduate studies and earning her Master of Science degree from Florida State University. She is a NASD Registered Principal with Series 3, 7, 8, 31, 63, and 65 securities licenses. Hong was selected as one of Houston’s most admired CEOs in 2019 by the Houston Business Journal. She serves on the board of Central Houston Inc. and is involved in the United Way Women’s Initiative. Hong chairs the Bank of America Charitable Foundation in Houston. She is a member of the Bank of America Global Diversity and Inclusion Council and the executive sponsor of the Houston Asian Leadership Network.
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About the Women's Leadership Series
The Women's Leadership Series (WLS) celebrates influential, diverse women making a substantive impact in both the business and culture arenas, locally and globally.
Previous programs:
2024 | Culinary Innovators Building Community
2023 | Women Leading the Evolution of Skincare
2023 | Houston's Leading News Anchors
2023 | Asian American Women in Law
2022 | Philanthropists Leading With Passion
2022 | Huma Abedin on Public Service and Private Legacies
2022 | Cooking at Home, Writing from the Heart with Priya Krishna
2021 | Asian American Leaders Standing Up for Racial Justice
2021 | Women in Space: Breaking Barriers on Earth and Beyond
2021 | Innovation and Investment in Climate Change Solutions
2020 | Building Black and Asian Solidarity: Women Leading Across Race, History, and Culture
2020 | Women Responding to COVID-19
2020 | Women in Journalism: Ann Curry
2019 | Leadership and Success: Conversation with Former PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi
2018 | Women in Entertainment
2018 | Energy Executives on the Importance of STEM Education
2018 | Women in Culinary Arts: Christine Hà, Jenni Tranweaver, and Kiran Verma
2017 | Women in Fashion: Chloe Dao, Becky Hollands, Khanh Nguyen, and Naina Shah
2017 | Innovators in Medicine & Science with Keynote Dr. Huda Zoghbi
2017 | Women's Education and Empowerment with Keynote Cherie Blair
2016 | Women in Energy
2016 | Leading from the C-Suite with Keynote Lulu C. Wang
2016 | The Advancement of Women in Public Service with Elaine Chao
2015 | In Conversation: Dr. Anne Chao, Donna Cole, and Y. Ping Sun
About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.
APAH Month 2024 Calendar
Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF
Past APAH Month Calendars
2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
