Ethics & Compliance notebook: The future of DEI isn’t about ‘diversity’

With White House directives ending “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs across the U.S. government, many companies are now facing the question of how to meet their diversity goals without upsetting the political climate. The answer, according to compliance and business executives, has been to give up the name but not the spirit of DEI.

Companies attending Compliance Week’s Ethics & Compliance Summit in Boston this week shared stories about how the Trump administration’s moves to change government approach to under-represented groups have led some of their company’s leaders to follow suit. That is despite growing evidence that teams made up of employees from different backgrounds are often more successful, build better products, and are set up for better long-term success.

Throughout the summit, which is held under Chatham House Rule, many attendees said their companies are still in the process of understanding what the U.S. government orders mean for them. Some compliance professionals pointed to recent court rulings in which judges said Trump’s moves may be unconstitutional. Others said their companies are global entities, with diversity goals set outside the U.S. as well.