A 3-hour transformative workshop that challenges conventional thinking about innovation and inclusion
In an era where organizations struggle to translate “diversity” initiatives into measurable excellence, the fact remains that organizations still want engaged employees that build relationships with customers, that solve complex problems, and that create new value through innovation.
The Performance Excellence Network — in partnership with the Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence and the Iowa Quality Center — is pleased to announce a powerful workshop: Breaking the Excellence Barrier: Inclusive Innovation in Practice. The workshop will be hosted August 12 (half-day from 8:00-11:30AM CT) online and will be facilitated by Dr. Lanise Block of Sankore.
This workshop propels leaders beyond fundamental inclusion concepts into the realm of systemic innovation and transformation. Drawing from research-backed insights featured in “Cultivating Courage: Innovative Strategies for Developing an Equity Leadership Identity,” this session disrupts traditional approaches to innovation by reimagining psychological safety, team composition, and outcome measurement through an advanced equity lens.
The workshop is designed for leaders who recognize that excellence requires more than surface-level diversity efforts. Participants will engage with counterintuitive frameworks that challenge established innovation practices, explore tension points between traditional excellence models and inclusive innovation, and develop sophisticated strategies for creating environments where breakthrough thinking flourishes specifically because of difference, not despite it. Through provocative case studies, and structured application exercises, attendees will move beyond theoretical understanding to practical implementation of next-generation inclusive innovation practices that deliver measurable performance advantages in today’s complex business landscape.
So this workshop will address the concepts of inclusion and diversity, but in the context of innovation, achieving organizational goals, and improving organizational outcomes.
Investment begins at $150/person for member groups.
Facilitator Biography
Lanise Block, Ed.D. Founder and CEO of Sankore Consulting, is a visionary educator and innovative strategist dedicated to advancing social justice, inclusion, and digital transformation in education. Dr. Block’s expertise in innovation and strategic planning is evidenced by her diverse academic background and professional certifications. She holds a B.A. in history, an M.A. in teaching from Drake University, and an Ed.D. in critical pedagogy from the University of St. Thomas, complemented by graduate certificates in learning technologies, e-learning, and online teaching. Her commitment to staying at the forefront of current innovation trends is further demonstrated by her nine distinct certifications and micro-credentials.
During her 21-year tenure with the Minneapolis Public Schools System, Dr. Block held various roles that showcased her ability to implement innovative strategies and lead transformative initiatives. As a technology integration specialist and strategic project administrator for the Superintendent’s office, she spearheaded efforts to modernize educational practices and enhance student outcomes through digital innovation.
Dr. Block’s expertise in strategic planning and innovation extends beyond K-12 education. As an adjunct graduate professor at prestigious institutions such as the University of St. Thomas, Hamline University, Augsburg University, and Metropolitan State University, she continues to shape the future of education by instilling innovative thinking and strategic planning skills in aspiring educators.
In 2017, Dr. Block founded Sankore Consulting, leveraging her extensive experience in educational innovation and strategic planning to serve her community. As a thought leader in design thinking, strategic planning, equity, and inclusion, she employs cutting-edge methodologies to drive organizational change and foster innovation in educational and corporate settings.
