Sometimes when people hear "Cultural Intelligence" (or CQ), they think about "corporate culture", political correctness, or maybe the global influence of "American cool".  But, what we're talking about is more nuanced and it can directly predict how diverse teams perform.  Workplaces, consumer segments, and the reality of a globally connected world guarantees that we will inevitably find ourselves in a diverse setting.  How we equip ourselves and our teams to deal with those situations can determine the success of those interactions.

In this presentation, Kristin will introduce you to CQ, how it can be taught, and why it's important for organizations to develop culturally intelligent leaders and teams.

As a result of this session, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to:

• Understand what Cultural Intelligence is
• Conceptualize how you can implement CQ development at your organization
• Understand what tools can affect behavior change

Kristin Ekkens, MA, CDE (Certified Diversity Executive) is a cultural strategist, consultant, and global speaker.  Her passion and area of expertise is helping organizations drive culturally intelligent innovation. Prior to joining the Cultural Intelligence Center as Director of Corporate Partnerships, Kristin led system-wide inclusion and diversity efforts at an integrated healthcare organization of over 25,000 employees. She worked closely with various stakeholders to integrate cultural intelligence into the organization’s DNA, creating a more inclusive and equitable culture that produced business results. Kristin also led initiatives to attract, retain, promote, and leverage diverse talent.

Her career experience also includes TEDx speaker (2014), business owner, Cultural Intelligence Certified Facilitator, corporate intercultural trainer, executive director of a national non-profit, and workplace language and literacy program director.  Kristin has been recognized as a “cultural entrepreneur” and was recognized in 2017 as a Top Women-Owned Business finalist by the Grand Rapids Business Journal. In 2016 she was awarded a Building Bridges award from the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the 40 under forty Business Leader award from the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

Passionate about language and culture, Kristin earned a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Michigan State University and bachelor degrees in Spanish and Linguistics from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kristin’s international experience includes living in Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica, and traveling extensively throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Western Europe, and New Zealand. 

Kristin's life motto comes from an African principle - Ubuntu - we are who we are because of others. Her two boys and husband remind her of that every day.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinekkens