About Paula
Paula Caligiuri is a leading expert in cultural and contextual agility, shaping global leadership development and contributing her insights as a respected faculty member of the Best Practice Institute.
Who is Paula Caligiuri?
Paula Caligiuri, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor of International Business and Strategy at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business. She is also the Director and Founder of the Cultural Agility Leadership Lab at Northeastern. Caligiuri is recognized globally for her expertise in helping organizations, teams, and executives navigate the complexities of international business environments.
Her work focuses on developing critical competencies for working effectively across cultures, making her a vital resource for companies operating in an increasingly interconnected world. Through her academic roles and consulting as co-founder and CEO of Skiilify, she translates comprehensive research into practical strategies for global success.
Quick facts about Paula Caligiuri
| Role | Distinguished Professor of International Business and Strategy; Director & Founder, Cultural Agility Leadership Lab; Co-founder and CEO |
| Company | Northeastern University; Skiilify |
| Based in | Boston, MA (Northeastern University) |
| Expertise | Cultural Agility, Global Leadership Development, Expatriate Management, International Human Resource Management, Talent Management, Contextual Agility |
| Notable for | Coining "cultural agility" and expanding it to "contextual agility"; author of multiple influential books; extensive research in international business and HR |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Paula Caligiuri known for?
- Cultural Agility Framework: Coined the term "cultural agility" and further developed it into "contextual agility," providing a theoretical and practical framework for navigating diverse business environments.
- Extensive Publications: Author of several notable books, including Cultural Agility: Building a Pipeline of Successful Global Professionals, Build Your Cultural Agility, and Get a Life, Not a Job.
- Leading Academic Research: Ranked among the top business and management scientists globally, with prolific contributions to leading journals such as Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Business, and Journal of Applied Psychology.
- Global Leadership Expertise: Recognized for her work in global leadership development and expatriate management, including being named a top author in expatriate management research.
- Educational Innovation: Developed popular LinkedIn Learning courses like Managing Globally and Six Skills to Build Cultural Agility, making her expertise accessible to a wide audience.
- Founding the Cultural Agility Leadership Lab: Established a dedicated lab at Northeastern University to advance research and practice in cultural agility.
What is Paula Caligiuri's background and experience?
Paula Caligiuri earned her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Pennsylvania State University in 1995, following her M.S. from the same institution in 1992 and a B.A. in Psychology from Canisius College in 1989. Her academic career began at Rutgers University's School of Management and Labor Relations, where she served as a professor and Director of the Center for Human Resource Strategy from 1995 to 2013.
Since 2013, she has been a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, where she also founded and directs the Cultural Agility Leadership Lab. Her career reflects a deep commitment to understanding and facilitating effective international collaboration and leadership, underpinned by a rigorous academic foundation and practical application through consulting and educational initiatives like Skiilify.
What topics does Paula Caligiuri speak and write about?
Paula Caligiuri is a prominent voice on subjects critical to global business success, particularly cultural and contextual agility. She frequently explores how individuals and organizations can enhance their ability to adapt and thrive in diverse cultural settings. This includes extensive work on global leadership development, expatriate management, and international human resource management strategies that support a mobile and multicultural workforce.
Her writing delves into the practical aspects of building cross-cultural competencies, as demonstrated in her books and online courses. She also addresses broader themes of talent management and how to embrace complexity in an era of rapid business disruption. Her research and publications offer insights into creating more effective and inclusive global teams and fostering a workplace culture that values diversity and adaptability.
How does Paula Caligiuri contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an Expert Faculty member of the Best Practice Institute (BPI), Paula Caligiuri shares her profound knowledge of cultural agility, global leadership, and international business strategy with BPI's community of executives and HR leaders. Her expertise directly supports BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices that foster positive and productive workplace environments, aligning closely with the principles of Most Loved Workplace®.
Caligiuri's insights help BPI members develop sophisticated global talent strategies, enhance intercultural communication, and build more resilient and adaptable leadership teams. Her contributions empower organizations to leverage diversity as a strength, contributing to the development of highly engaged and effective workforces, which are hallmarks of a Most Loved Workplace® and align with the SPARK Model for organizational excellence.
Where can you learn more from Paula Caligiuri?
You can explore Paula Caligiuri's extensive work through her books and academic publications. For direct learning, her popular LinkedIn Learning courses offer practical guidance on managing globally and building cultural agility. Further insights can be gained from her appearances on CNN and CNN International, as well as her podcast, International Business Today at Northeastern University. Her contributions to the Best Practice Institute can be found through BPI's resources and events.