What is DEI?  It is a generic label given to the wide-ranging diversity, equity and inclusion measures that aim to ensure people of all backgrounds – including marginalised groups – can gain a foothold and thrive at organisations.  BPW Australia has been advocating for fairness and equality of opportunity for decades, including for women, men, all races and all abilities.

In 2023, the US supreme court ruled against race-conscious admission programmes at colleges and universities, which emboldened conservatives and unleashed a flood of lawsuits aimed at dismantling policies designed to foster diversity, equity and inclusion.  They argued these anti-discrimination measures were discriminatory towards the groups that had historically dominated workplaces, including white Americans.  

President Trump railed against “woke” attitudes in his election campaign, and is determined to defund and stamp out all DEI programs in federal agencies and federally-funded programs.  His Executive order does not apply to state governments or to private businesses, but some large corporations are following his lead.  Apple is an exception.

In 2022, McKinsey & Company noted diverse, equitable and inclusive companies were better able to respond to challenges, win top talent and meet the needs of varied customer bases. The focus on diversity allowed them to find talent wherever it may be, while the focus on equity and inclusion helped minimise costly employee turnover. The finding was backed by a 2020 report that found companies with greater gender and ethnic diversity were more likely to significantly outperform their peers.

Ambassador for Women on Boards Lel Smits highlights three perspectives on DEI:

1.    Pro-DEI: Promotes innovation, fairness, and performance

2.    Anti-DEI: Viewed as overreach, divisive, and detrimental to meritocracy

3.    Reformers: Advocate for balance and focus on impact over optics.

As Kit McMahon so clearly explains, most of us benefit from DEI in our working and personal lives. Australia sees itself as the land of the fair go. Equality, inclusion and diversity is just that. It’s a skill and a profession that has been growing for years, but has its roots deeply in all our communities.