Meet Robert Ludke
I work at the intersection of sustainability, reputation management, and disability-driven innovation — three practices I’ve come to see as one network of value creation.
Over my career, I’ve advised policymakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and counseled companies in retail, oil and gas, transportation, and finance on sustainability, governance, and ESG strategy. I’ve also navigated clients through high-stakes crises and mergers.
I am a co-founder of Value Inclusion, the only consultancy that brings together actionable, C-suite strategy, evidence-based research, and first-hand experience to drive competitive, integrated employment of persons across the disability spectrum — in a way that builds brand, reputation, and bottom-line growth.
I’m also a Fellow at The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University, where I focus on equipping investors and the private sector with the tools to treat inclusion as a driver of long-term value, not a side project.
Two Books I’ve written
- Case Studies in Disability-Driven Innovation (2025), an Amazon #1 Best Seller, makes the business case for disability inclusion through real examples of entrepreneurs and companies turning it into competitive advantage.
- Available in print through Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Amazon, and as an audiobook through Apple and Audible.
- Transformative Markets (Georgetown University Creator Institute, 2020) offers a compelling assessment of the cross-sector collaboration needed to turn innovative ideas into goods and services that create lasting value.
- Available in print through Barnes & Noble and Amazon, and as an audiobook through Audible.
Through The Solutions Lab, I advise and directly invest in disability-led entrepreneurship — including early support for ventures like SekondSkin Society. My goal is to put capital in the hands of entrepreneurs who’ve been locked out of conventional funding, despite building business models that create real value for people.
“Since officially joining Global Conservation Corps as an advisor, Bob has consistently brought nuanced insight and invaluable networking opportunities to the team. Working with Bob in a professional environment is both pleasant and highly productive.”
– Josh Lumdsden, Board of Directors, Global Conservation Corps
Investors can be effective champions for competitive, integrated employment for persons with disabilities across the private sector by equipping themselves with relevant and impactful information and data. Photo Credit: Mark Lennihan/AP
The world literally is drowning in trash - billions of tons of it. Yet, with a little creativity and ingenuity we can turn someone's trash into our treasure - and make money doing it. Photo Credit: wonderopolis
HILOS, The Shoes Powered By Technology and Anchored in Sustainability Step by step, the walk toward sustainability also passes through the footwear industry. This latter is responsible for a dramatic environmental and social impact that involves the entire value chain. However, many companies are now adopting innovative materials and technological solutions to [...]
