Theresa Lu, Ph.D.

Theresa Lu is the founder and CEO of MissionQuest. A leader in the field of organizational development and change management, she has helped transform hundreds of thriving organizations and thousands of inspiring leaders to optimal performance for over 25 years. MissionQuest’s recent organizational highlights include a health access program evaluation project for five states, capacity building for a multinational private sector firm, and a $16 million workforce development grant.

Dr. Lu frames DEI within a context of change management. She meets her clients where they are. By addressing implicit bias, normalism, and power, she believes we can change our knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes.

Dr. Lu teaches a variety of courses including organizational development and assessment, diversity and inclusion, strategic planning, research methods, and grantsmanship. She has been faculty at the University of Southern California, Alliant International University, and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She co-authored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In Action and Total Domination: Millions from Grants [link to purchase].

Dr. Lu grew up in Southern California and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine, her master’s degree and Ph.D. in counseling psychology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.