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Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute (DI) promotes diversity and inclusion as the key to Canada’s competitiveness

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Wendy Cukier, the Diversity Institute has conducted groundbreaking research on diversity and inclusion in Canada, developed impactful programs like the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub, championed legislative change on Bill C-25 and helped companies understand the opportunities of inclusion and develop tools to harness inclusion as a driver for success.

The Diversity Institute leads the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (external link) , and is a research lead for the Future Skills Centre (external link)  and an ecosystem partner in the 50 – 30 Challenge (external link) .

The facts speak for themselves: Inclusion is good for society and good for the bottom line.

The facts speak for themselves, inclusion is good for society and good for the bottom line:

If Canada made workplaces more accessible, it would add $16.8 billion to our GDP (external link, opens in new window)  by 2030

Investors that focus on companies who have a  (PDF file) gender diversity strategy (external link, opens in new window)  are rewarded with annual growth rates of 3.5%

Companies with racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely (external link)  to have higher financial returns

If women were enabled to fully participate in the economy, we would contribute $150 billion to our GDP by 2026 (external link) 

Companies with gender diversity are 15% more likely to have higher financial returns (external link) 

Research Areas

Diversity & Inclusion

Applying a systems-level ecological model to understanding barriers, making workplaces more inclusive, and promoting diversity in leadership.

Future Skills

Identifying, developing, replicating and scaling inclusive approaches that will strengthen the nation’s skills and training ecosystem.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

A network of academic experts, industry and community leaders, and government and social innovators dedicated to building an inclusive and highly competent workforce.

News + Events

May 6, 2025
AI, Remote Work, & Productivity: An International Conference
Critical discussions, research presentations and knowledge-sharing will explore today’s pressing global issues related to new technologies that are shaping workplace cultures.
April 29, 2025
Advancing Equity on the World Stage at the UN Decade Forum on People of African Descent
The United Nations convened the fourth session of its Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, a platform created to amplify the voices, rights and experiences of African-descended communities worldwide.
April 29, 2025
Designing and deploying artificial intelligence for an inclusive future of work
Drawing on Canadian data, real-world examples and research, the session emphasized the urgent need for responsible, inclusive adoption of AI technologies in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
March 28, 2025
Inclusion by Design: Addressing Disability Gaps in Canadian Boardrooms
At two Governance Professionals of Canada webinars, Dr. Wendy Cukier discusses research-backed strategies on how boardrooms can become more inclusive of persons with disabilities

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