About Us

As a pioneer in diversity consulting, training, culture change and measurement for more than 30 years, Patricia Pope has worked to create an inclusive workplace for Fortune 500 companies, government and non-profit organizations.  Pat spent the first ten years of her career working in a Fortune 100 consumer products company.  It was there that she met her late husband, Merlin G. Pope, Jr, an external consultant in the early 1970s hired to conduct racial awareness training.  In 1976, he formed his first company, while Pat continued as an internal consultant for another three years before joining the firm.  Several years later, they co-founded Pope & Associates which remains one of the nation’s first organizations of its kind. In 1977, they coined the term “diversity” to refer to the changing demographics of the US workforce.

Pat also applies her talents to help her community. In honor of her outstanding work in the Cincinnati community and the successful growth of her business, she was selected as a finalist for the Business Woman of the Year award presented by the Business Courier. She is also Chair of the Regional Youth Leadership Diversity Program, sponsored by the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Chambers of Commerce, serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the Williams College of Business at Xavier University,  and the Women’s Initiative Board for the Butler County United Way. In 2008, Pat was recognized as a finalist by Enterprising Women and now serves on their Board of Directors.  In 2008, Pope & Associates was also selected as a winner for a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award.

Pat is currently working on the 2nd edition of her book, Relationship Mapping: A Tool for Diagnosing Personal and Professional Relationships. Her next book, The Illusion of Inclusion, will be based on over 20 years of research about the dynamics of power and influence at the executive level.  Pat also writes a column on Diversity and Inclusion for Diversity MBA Magazine.