The Evolution of Corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

Announcing commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can be easy. A press release does it. Delivering on those commitments, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action, can be hard. This panel will address the myriad challenges that corporations face when trying to live up to DEI demands, including rising anti-DEI sentiments and litigation, uncertainty surrounding the legality of corporate DEI initiatives, unconscious bias, and resistance to change. The panel will explore strategies for diversifying the larger workforce and building an inclusive culture, including how to measure progress and hold management accountable. In addition, some institutional investors are asking companies to engage third parties to conduct racial justice audits to assess how systemic racism affects the company’s policies and business practices, including review of human capital management, the companies’ products and services, and its philanthropic and political contributions. The panelists will discuss these controversial issues and grapple with the best practices available to directors facing these challenges.