Meet Jennifer Cook

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Cook. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Growing up in a first-generation immigrant family, I quickly learned to rely on myself. With both parents working and two younger sisters to care for, I understood that achieving my goals depended on my own efforts. As the oldest of three daughters, I also realized that nothing would be handed to me, given our family’s limited resources.

After high school, tensions with my mother led me to move out at 18, determined to become self-sufficient. My parents, unwilling to assist with financial aid for college, left me to find my own path. Reflecting on my skills, I saw two options: work or leverage my volleyball talent. I contacted the university’s volleyball coach, secured a tryout, and earned a full athletic scholarship. This effort resulted to me getting awarded a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball for the university.

This experience taught me that life presents unexpected challenges, and it’s up to us to adapt. Over time, I’ve learned to prepare contingency plans for unforeseen events. Having faced three job layoffs and other discouraging life events, I’ve accepted that change is inevitable. Embracing adaptability and adjusting plans are essential for navigating life’s uncertainties. I’ve learned that you can’t let these uncertainties be narratives that lead your life. You have to learn to flex, dodge, or go with the flow of things because resisting will only lead to feelings of defeat and helplessness.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the Founder and CEO of a SaaS platform that is geared to leverage the power of AI and apply it to the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I’m sure by now most people (whether positive or negative) have heard of DEI. I’ve worked in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice space for the past 15 years, in combination with program/project management positions for the last 20 years. I am passionate about this work, and my career was shaped by this profession.

People will have differing opinions on the importance or value of this work. Many organizations traditionally view DEI through the narrow lens of HR policies and procedures. What most people don’t understand is that diversity, equity, and inclusion implementation in organizations goes far beyond the representation of different races, genders, abilities, and other identities in any organization. While HR is undoubtedly a key player in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment, DEI transcends every facet of a business. Effective DEI strategies influence strategy, leadership practices, organizational culture, and operational functions. They enhance customer service and retention, shape policies and procedures, boost employee engagement and well-being, and strengthen community relations. The differences that people bring to an organization can foster innovation and lead to significant efficiencies, which eventually translate to a significant return on investment. Research consistently shows that organizations with robust DEI programs outperform those without.

Ai4DEI will revolutionize how organizations approach diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing a comprehensive, data-driven platform. This tool will assist organizations in assessing their current state, identifying priority areas, and deploying a strategic plan tailored to their unique needs, and monitoring their progress. Our mission is to empower organizations to achieve effective, efficient, and sustainable DEI work through artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, Ai4DEI utilizes a hybrid model that combines generative and trained AI. Our goal is to leverage information available through generative AI while setting guardrails to prevent biased-based information from influencing responses and recommendations. It is designed for both novice and expert practitioners through the use of intuitive prompts and data entry. While there is currently backlash in doing this work, it still continues to provide value for organizations. Ai4DEI is also uniquely positioned to provide a more objective option by reducing personal biases and feelings through data driven strategies and recommendations.

Ai4DEI is currently in its build phase. We are due to launch a full-scale platform by the first quarter of 2025. In the January launch, we will be beta testing to refine the platform. We are excited to share this innovative platform with businesses who are looking to start, progress, or scale their DEI efforts. Stay tuned for our launch at Ai4DEI.ai.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

As a business owner, three key skills I’ve learned that are essential from my perspective are: resourcefulness, holistic thinking, and relationship management.

Resourcefulness is vital for keeping your business afloat and solving emerging issues. Creative thinking is a critical part of being resourceful.

Holistic thinking is necessary to see the bigger picture and identify the various components needed for a functional product or business.

Relationship management is crucial for collaborating with experts, professionals, or consultants to move your project or business forward smoothly.

For those developing these skills, I advise being patient, open-minded, creative, and a good listener.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

One of the biggest challenges for Ai4DEI right now is marketing the platform effectively and gaining users, as well as securing additional funding to support our growth. As an industry disruptor, Ai4DEI is reimagining how DEI work can be done through the power of AI. Like any disruptive innovation, the challenge lies in getting people to believe in the vision and adopt it. I’m confident that once we gain traction, Ai4DEI will play a critical role in shaping the future of AI by advancing equitable and inclusive practices. What we’re building has the potential to be transformative, and this next phase is key to realizing that vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Ai4dei.ai
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcookie321/

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