Howard Ross, Founder of Cook Ross Inc. and Udarta Consulting, LLC, is a pioneering thought leader in social justice and unconscious bias. With his foundational work in diversity and inclusion consulting, Howard established Cook Ross as one of the nation’s leading consultancies before founding Udarta Consulting, LLC, where he continues to influence global DEI practices.
Author of Re-Inventing Diversity, the Washington Post bestseller Everyday Bias, and Our Search for Belonging (which won the 2019 Nautilus Book Award for Social Change), Howard’s writings have become essential reads for organizations striving for inclusion. He combines insights from neuro-cognitive and social science research with direct applications for corporate culture change, leadership development, and diversity management.
Howard’s client work has impacted sectors across 47 U.S. states and 40+ countries, including prestigious institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. In a historic achievement, Howard served as the Johnnetta B. Cole Professor of Diversity at Bennett College for Women, marking the first time a white man held such a role at an HBCU.
An acclaimed speaker, Howard’s expertise has been widely published in outlets like HBR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, and his contributions have earned him accolades, including the 2012 Winds of Change Award from the Forum on Workplace Diversity and the 2016 Leadership in Diversity Award by the World HRD Conference in Mumbai.
Beyond DEI, Howard is a lifelong musician and dedicated mindfulness teacher, bringing a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and insight to the field of social justice.
