Chief Operating Officer Raghu Krishnaiah and Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Tondra Richardson contribute insights and guidance on differentiated development approaches that foster an inclusive workplace learning environment

University of Phoenix Chief Operating Officer Raghu Krishnaiah and Director of Student Diversity & Inclusion Tondra Richardson will serve as session speakers at the upcoming Breakfast Club event hosted by BetterWork Media Group’s Chief Learning Officer, being held October 26, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. EDT. University of Phoenix is a sponsor of the event, titled “Differentiated Development: Rethinking Inclusion in Learning.”

“Differentiated development builds on some key successful trends and approaches to strengthening workplace culture and retention, like personalization and resilience building,” states Krishnaiah. “Organizations have opportunities to more strategically leverage their learning and development by implementing data tools and AI to understand workers’ skills and connections and tap into the strengths of broader, more diverse talent pools for leadership growth.”

Organizations with strong diversity, equity and inclusion programs see a competitive edge, with more resilience and adaptability as well as profitability. However, workers’ sense of belonging, of connection and relationships in the workplace, is understood to be critical to retention and advancement in an organization but continues to be an area of challenge.

The Breakfast Club event offers a conversation among Krishnaiah and Richardson and leaders in learning and development about how learning programs can move away from the concept of one-size-fits-all development and rethink inclusion in learning and talent approaches. Krishnaiah and Richardson will share insights from the University of Phoenix approach to inclusion and skills in learning and development (L&D), as an employer, an institution of learning, and a provider of education and upskilling solutions for employers.

Krishnaiah’s career as a seasoned change agent and strategist spans more than 20 years of progressive P&L management, strategy, sales and marketing, product, operations, technology, human resources, and data-analytics responsibilities. As the Chief Operating Officer at University of Phoenix, Krishnaiah is instrumental in the transformation of the University and responsible for all operating strategy and results. Krishnaiah earned both a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.

“Fostering a sense of community and cultivating belonging while supporting the diverse needs of your workforce is essential,” Richardson said. “I look forward to sharing how strategies we’ve used in the Office of Educational Equity can offer best practices to proactively and intentionally address the unique needs of a diverse workforce.”

As director of Student Diversity & Inclusion, Richardson provides leadership, development, and management for the Office of Educational Equity, situated within Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion which serves the University’s students, alumni, community and alliances. Richardson is certified by the National Diversity Council as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and completed Cornell University's Diversity and Inclusion certificate program. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Richardson’s areas of expertise also include conflict resolution and risk management.

The Breakfast Club has been connecting leaders over breakfast to strengthen the link between learning and development and business strategy for over 17 years. In 2021, the Breakfast Club returned as a virtual, mini-event series hosted by Chief Learning Officer and Talent Management featuring top CLOs and learning and talent leaders. Each mini-event lasts about 2 hours and consists of a 60-minute panel discussion with L&D and talent practitioners, a 20-minute FASTtalk presentation, and a 20-minute breakout session for attendees and speakers to discuss the day’s themes, followed by closing remarks from a member of CLO’s editorial team.

Learn more here about the Breakfast Club and the October 26 session sponsored by University of Phoenix.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About Chief Learning Officer

Chief Learning Officer is dedicated to serving as a platform and vehicle for C-suite and senior-level learning and development professionals to connect and advance in the profession and their personal careers. We are by CLOs, for CLOs.

About BetterWork Media Group

BetterWork Media Group manages Chief Learning Officer and Talent Management, serving workforce communities of C-suite and senior-level practitioners, executives, scholars, consultants and solution providers in corporate learning and talent management. BetterWork Media Group provides a unique platform to connect, support and empower workplace communities via award-winning content, research, events, webinars and digital media. BMG's founders have more than 70 years of collective experience in the media industry.

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