More than 40 senior DEI leaders joined us at our 2024 Fall Board Meeting, where they participated in honest, behind-the-scenes chats about leading diversity, equity, and inclusion at the world’s largest companies.
The two-day event included small-group discussions, case studies, and four rounds of unconferences — where members get to choose the most pressing topics and challenges they’re facing in real time and benchmark with their DEI peers.
The only thing missing from the Board Meeting was vendors, consultants, or agencies influencing the conversations.
Jeannette Robles, Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ADM, said on LinkedIn that she is feeling renewed and reenergized after being around fellow DEI practitioners who exchanged insights across industries.
Here’s a look at some of the topics we covered:
DEI Strategy Case Studies:
- Productivity and wellness strategies for becoming a more impactful DEI leader — led by Nashunda Williams at JLL
- The future of DEI: What history teaches us — led by Jeannette Robles at ADM
- DEI data: Let the numbers tell the story — led by Errin Braddock at Enterprise Mobility
- Leveraging DEI incubators for values-driven systems and practices — led by Melenie Choto at Chick-fil-A
- DEI scenario planning: Mitigating risk — led by Jermisha Pipkins Lynch at AbbVie
Member-Led Discussions:
- Creating trans-inclusive spaces in times of polarization — led by Dani Gomez-Ortega at McCain Foods
- Optimizing DEI learning and development — led by Amy Hunter at Caleres
- Future-proofing DEI: Designing a strategy for the future — led by Marisa Afzali at Progressive Insurance
- Engaging and retaining a diverse workforce — led by Renita Smith at Staples
Unconferences to Explore the Top DEI Challenges at Large Enterprises:
On day two, DEI Board members set the meeting’s agenda themselves through our Unconferences, fast-paced, peer-to-peer discussions where members suggest discussion topics, vote for their favorites, and join the conversations that interest them most.
It means members are spending the entire time talking about the topics that are most important to them.
Here’s a look at some of the most pressing challenges DEI leaders are facing:
- Recognition of ERG leaders and members
- Anti-DEI sentiment
- Supporting employees through election year
- Integrating DEI in performance evaluation
- Engaging straight white men into DEI efforts
- Leveraging AI in your day to day
- Safely supporting development of diverse talent
- Diverse talent program structure
- Retaining and supporting underrepresented groups
The best on-site discussions will grow as full community conversations in the coming weeks and months as we dig deeper together.
