About us

Competence Center for Diversity, Disability, and Inclusion (CCDI)

CCDI and CDI join forces: Shaping the future of inclusion together

The Competence Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) and the Center for Disability and Integration (CDI) will merge into a single unit starting from January 2025. The two renowned centres, which enjoy a strong reputation both in the DACH region and internationally, will combine their expertise and resources to operate jointly as the Competence Center for Diversity, Disability, and Inclusion (CCDI). From 2025, the CCDI will be led by Gudrun Sander (current), Stephan Böhm (new), and Ines Hartmann (current).

For years, the CCDI has been a integral part of the Research Institute for International Management (FIM-HSG), significantly contributing to its work. The fusion of the CCDI and CDI will shift the institute’s focus even more towards diversity and inclusion. The renaming as the Institute for International Management and Diversity Management (IIDM-HSG) emphasises this expanded focus. From January 2025, the new IIDM-HSG will be led by Winfried Ruigrok (current), Gudrun Sander (current), and Stephan Böhm (new).

Fusion of Two Leading Institutions

The fusion will create synergies and unite unique perspectives and expertise. Both centres bring specific skills that ideally complement each other — the CCDI’s focus on gender, cultural diversity, and LGBTQI+, combined with the CDI’s expertise in the areas of age, disability, and healthy leadership. The aim of this merger is to establish a competence centre that convinces with excellent research, practical impact, and international appeal.

Inclusion at the Heart

The (new) CCDI places inclusion as a central concept, considering all dimensions of diversity — from age, education, and disability to employment status, gender, nationality, race/ethnicity, language, and other aspects. This holistic approach serves as an overarching framework under which the specific characteristics of the various dimensions of diversity are reflected. This enables us to offer our clients and partners practical perspectives on how inclusion can sustainably promote both business and societal success.

Our Promise: "From Insight to Impact"

The University of St. Gallen’s claim, "From Insight to Impact", is further strengthened by this merger. Insights from top-tier research will be more effectively translated into concrete measures and solutions for organisations and society. Through close cooperation with you as our clients, we ensure that our research is not only academically relevant but also directly applicable. This approach supports companies and organisations in strengthening their commitment to diversity and inclusion in an evidence-based manner.

Our Strengths

  1. Evidence-based Implementation: Our recommendations are based on sound research and robust data, ensuring effective and sustainable solutions.

  2. Broad Expertise and a Strong Network: We combine extensive expertise in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) with an international network of experts, companies, and institutions.

  3. Highest Quality: Our approach blends academic excellence with practical applicability to deliver results of the highest quality.

Our Offerings

With our innovative offerings, we support you in creating sustainable change — practical, well-founded, and targeted:

  • New Offerings: Through the merger, we expand our portfolio to include innovative formats such as inclusion measurements, job crafting, and specialised training for virtual and hybrid leadership.

  • Workshops and Training: Tailored formats on topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and healthy leadership.

  • Evidence-based Consulting: Analyses of HR processes, diversity benchmarking, and wage analyses to support inclusive corporate strategies.

  • Partnerships: Building and maintaining national and international networks in the field of inclusion and diversity research to foster the transfer of knowledge between academia, business, and society.

What Can You as Our Clients Expect in the Future?

A trusting and enriching collaboration where we understand your needs precisely and respond to them in a targeted manner. Together, we develop not only inclusive strategies but also position you and your company as pioneers in your industry.

Together, we promote real and sustainable change — not only for organisations but also for society as a whole.

Let’s shape the future of inclusion together. Contact us for more information — we look forward to working with you!

The CCDI Team

In the first quarter of 2025, we will bring our two websites together into one. Until then, we warmly invite you to learn more about the CDI and gain a deeper insight into our work by visiting our website:

Dive into our wide range of DE&I articles, blog posts, podcasts, interviews and more on our Diversity & Inclusion Platform:

Do you need support with the implementation of your D&I initiatives or strategy? We will be happy to advise you.

Gudrun Sander

Prof. Dr.

Director IIDM-HSG and Director Competence Center for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion CCDI

Ines Hartmann

Dr.

Director Competence Center for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion CCDI

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