Dr. Dionne Wright Poulton is a leading expert on diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias, and transformational adult learning and behavior with special emphasis in addressing, mitigating and solving intercultural conflicts and incidents of unconscious bias in the workplace. A formally trained K-12 teacher with a Ph.D. in Adult Education, she has 20 years of experience conceptualizing and creating innovative and research-based workshops, course curriculum, and on and off-site immersive programs for countless workplace leaders and employees—both in group and one-on-one settings. Formally trained in discourse analysis and conflict mediation, Dionne has sound ability to analyze, address and solve the most difficult and complex situations—especially those involving issues of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and nationality.
Dionne is also author of the acclaimed book, It’s Not Always Racist…but Sometimes It Is: Reshaping How We Think About Racism (2014, Archway Publishing), which is an extension of her innovative workshops called Think You Are An Unbiased Teacher? Think Again! and Unconscious Bias at Work. The empirically tested methodology she created and utilizes in these workshops is designed to facilitate open and sustained intercultural dialogue, honest self-reflection, as well as an exploration and critique of personal assumptions and biases that might hinder the process of cultivating meaningful relationships with ‘others.’ Renowned book critic, Kirkus Media said, “This important book shows readers what such a lively but civil dialogue could look like.”
She has also received national and international recognition for her work—training leaders and employees around the world, including across the United States, Canada, France, and Bermuda. Industries to which she has consulted and trained in include, technology, advertising, media, retail, banking, non-profits, K-12 schools, higher education, sports, government, social groups, health care, and social services. She has also been invited for social commentary and ad hoc writing assignments for media outlets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and is also host of the popular radio show, The Dr. Dionne Show, which focuses on diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.
Dionne holds a Ph.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia, a Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies in Adult Education with special emphasis in Equity and Social Justice from San Francisco State University, a Bachelor of Education Degree (teaching certification) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT), and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from Rice University where she earned her degree while competing as an NCAA Division 1 track and field scholarship athlete.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Dionne currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband and their two daughters.
