WHITEWATER, Wis. – March 27, 2026. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) invites students, business professionals, alumni, and community members to attend “The Power of Diverse Minds: Rethinking Inclusion,” a free public event featuring Dr. Ludmila N. Praslova on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Center Hamilton Room. The event will also be available via livestream for registered attendees. Registration is required by April 18, 2026, and walk-up registration will not be accepted.
Praslova is a professor of Graduate Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Vanguard University of Southern California and the award-winning author of The Canary Code. Her presentation will address the acceptance and inclusion of neurodiversity across campuses and workplaces, challenging audiences to move beyond reactive accommodation models and toward systemic redesign that embeds belonging, dignity, and accessibility into organizational practices. The presentation is intended for people committed to productivity, well-being, and decent work for all.
“At CoBE, we believe business education should do more than prepare students to enter the workforce — it should help shape workplaces where different strengths are recognized, respected, and able to thrive,” said Dr. Rashiqa Kamal, director of UW-Whitewater’s Women in Business Institute and a professor of finance and business law. “Bringing Dr. Praslova to UW-Whitewater is part of our commitment to giving students and community partners access to ideas that will define the future of leadership.” UW-Whitewater’s Women in Business Institute creates a supportive and empowering environment for women and promotes greater gender equity and inclusion in the business world. “This event gives our students and our broader community the chance to learn from a nationally recognized voice on inclusion and organizational culture,” said Kamal. “It aligns with our work to create opportunities, expand belonging, and help future leaders think more intentionally about how workplaces can serve people better.”
The event is offered through Women in Business at CoBE and is supported by the Tommy Thompson Speaker Grant. Registered in-person attendees may begin check-in and lunch at 11:45 a.m., followed by Praslova’s talk at 12:30 p.m. and a question-and-answer session at 1:15 p.m. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a waitlist once the room fills.
For CoBE, the broader impact of this event is clear: preparing future business leaders means helping them understand how strong organizations are built. By bringing nationally relevant conversations to campus and opening them to the public, UW-Whitewater is connecting business education to the real challenges employers, employees, and communities face right now. CoBE’s mission emphasizes inclusive, collaborative learning, leadership, and partnerships that benefit students, businesses, and the regional community.
For more information and to register, visit the event page at https://www.uww.edu/ce/powerdiversemindscobe.
About the Women in Business Institute
UW-Whitewater’s Women in Business Institute supports women through mentorship and networking opportunities, leadership and negotiation training, and programming that promotes greater gender equity and inclusion in the business world.
About the College of Business and Economics
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics is the largest business school in Wisconsin. The college offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs and is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide with dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. CoBE combines relevant, rigorous curriculum with strong student experiences and a collaborative learning environment that prepares current and future business professionals to contribute successfully and responsibly in a global business environment.
