Dr. Carliss Miller is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) scholar-practitioner leading strategic efforts to elevate inclusion and belonging–humanity–in organizations.
After a decade in academia as a management professor and diversity-leadership scholar, Carliss recently rejoined the private sector to live out her professional aim: bridging theory and practice with a focus on advancing inclusion, equity, and belonging for ALL in the workplace. She is equipped with advanced knowledge in organizational behavior, human resources management, team leadership, and DEI research and insights to aid leaders and teams in positive individual and organizational transformations.
Carliss holds a Ph.D. in International Management Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management. She also has a BA from the University of Texas at Arlington in Communications Technology and MBA from the University of Florida. In research and practice, she delights in unveiling and dissecting inconspicuous organizational phenomena that may hinder individuals, teams, and organizations from unlocking their full potential.
Her primary research interests are in workplace diversity, leadership-followership, and workplace deviance. Her work has been presented at regional, national, and international conferences such as the Academy of Management, Southern Management Association, Eastern Academy of Management-International, and Midwest Academy of Management. She has published in Human Resource Management Review, Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Organization Development Journal, and International Journal of Human Resource Management.
Outside of her professional roles, Carliss applies her skills and passions towards program development for youth as the Immediate Past Program Director of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. – The Woodlands Chapter (TX), where she is committed to making a difference in the lives of children through education, culture exploration, and career exposure. She is also a PhD Project faculty member paying it forward by mentoring, encouraging, and supporting graduate business students invested in “building a stronger, more diverse workforce”.
Her mission is to educate, empower, and encourage others to thrive and lead courageously, authentically, and inclusively.
Carliss currently leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practice at The Toro Company and is the appointed Dream Investor of Team Miller–Jason, Addison (10), and Ian (8).
