Category Archives: Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

DEI Is Not an American Experiment – by Effenus Henderson

It’s a Global Imperative

The current assault on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the United States may dominate headlines, but it doesn’t define the future of inclusive leadership. DEI is not a political liability—it is a strategic necessity. And critically, it is not a uniquely American construct. As one of the architects of ISO 30415:2021 – Human Resource Management: Diversity and Inclusion, I can say with certainty: DEI is a global standard. Literally.

While U.S. politicians fan the flames of culture wars, the rest of the world continues to build more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient institutions. As Paul Klein’s recent piece in Forbes rightly underscores, companies in Europe, Asia, and beyond are doubling down on DEI—not abandoning it. The reason is simple: forward-thinking leaders across borders recognize that equity and inclusion are not just moral positions—they are business imperatives.

From U.S. Retrenchment to Global Resolve

Even as U.S. companies like Booz Allen react to Trump-era directives by gutting DEI programs, international firms such as L’Oréal, BMW, and Tech Mahindra remain steadfast. Their leaders understand what American politicians have willfully ignored: exclusion is expensive. In contrast, inclusion powers innovation, loyalty, market agility, and long-term value creation.

The backlash against DEI in the U.S. has sparked diplomatic pushback abroad. Nancy Levine Stearns points to European governments that swiftly rejected U.S. embassy efforts to discourage DEI programming. This echoes a powerful truth: you cannot export fear where justice is already taking root.

ISO 30415: Proof That the World Sees the Bigger Picture

The creation of ISO 30415:2021 marked a watershed moment: DEI principles are now embedded in the global business fabric. Developed by a multinational working group, the standard provides a consistent, practical framework for embedding diversity and inclusion into organizational governance, leadership, strategy, operations, and relationships.

It was not developed to appease regulators or activists. It emerged from a consensus among global business, labor, and human rights leaders that inclusion enhances performance, safety, innovation, and sustainability. It recognizes that DEI is not about guilt or grievance—it’s about balance, access, and unleashing full human potential.

A Shift in Narrative: From Compliance to Commitment

As the Forbes essay notes, leaders in Poland, Finland, and India are reimagining DEI through locally resonant language. They are shifting from performative checklists to strategic, values-driven engagement. They speak of belonging, barrier removal, and innovation, not just diversity quotas.

Their lesson to U.S. companies? Reframe. Reground. Recommit.

  • Start with why. DEI fails when it is a public relations veneer. It succeeds when rooted in purpose, values, and empathy.
  • Don’t chase consensus. Lead with conviction. As Adamska-Woźniak said, “Every DEI initiative seems like an act of courage.” That is precisely the point.
  • Globalize your lens. The world is not waiting for the U.S. to figure itself out. DEI is already thriving in cultures that see it as essential to their future.

The Real Threat Isn’t DEI—It’s American Exceptionalism

The danger in today’s U.S. DEI retreat lies not in its impact on the world, but in America’s self-imposed irrelevance. While some U.S. firms flinch, the global economy continues to evolve—faster, more diverse, and more interconnected. Companies unwilling to embrace equity and belonging will find themselves unable to recruit top global talent, reach emerging markets, or sustain innovation pipelines.

The dismantling of DEI in the U.S. is not a triumph of pragmatism—it’s a failure of imagination.

Conclusion: This Is Our Leadership Moment

As a global DEI standard-setter and practitioner, I’ve seen what’s possible when inclusion is treated not as a concession but as a catalyst. Let this be a call to action: to global companies with U.S. operations, to courageous leaders inside embattled institutions, and to DEI advocates feeling weary and isolated.

We are not alone. We are not losing. We are part of a larger, global movement.

And the world is watching. Let us rise to meet this moment with clarity, commitment, and courage.

 

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Building Belonging at the Intersections of Identity and Leadership – by Khris Baizen

As industries evolve to meet the needs of a changing workforce, the value of diverse leadership has never been more clear. This is especially true during Asian American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, which invites us to examine the intersection of identity and leadership. In navigating cultural expectations, neurodiversity, and generational shifts, leaders today are called not just to manage teams—but to create spaces where people feel they truly belong.

Fathers and Mothers Day When They’re Gone – by Deborah Levine

Fathers and Mothers Days are great American traditions, but I’m not sure I like them. Unhappily, I have a really big problem with these days because I don’t have the goods. My mother and grandmother who were such loving figures in my life are gone. My father, who I take after in so many ways, is gone, too. I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself.  My children live far away but will no doubt call or send a card. I’m grateful for their love but I would really like to call my own parents. Just knowing they were around made life balanced and feel more secure.

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Renewing Diversity No. 7: A Sliver of Bone – by Carlos Cortés 

“Do you have any religious or ethical reservations about what kind of bone we put in your mouth?”  That question both startled and pleased me.  As I answered with a simple “no,” I broke into a broad smile.

Some context.  My young periodondist was in the midst of trying to save my 90-year-old mouthful of teeth from the ravages of aging.  To do so she was giving them a thorough laser treatment and selectively rebuilding my dental structure through new bone.   

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Enjoy sacred times with respect and joy – by Deborah Levine

Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

As we approach this year’s holy days, we know that faith can be a source of great inspiration. We also know that religions can also generate the most divisive forces on the face of the planet. There are wars fought in the name of religion, as the Middle East demonstrates and many people prefer to be in the unaffiliated or atheist categories rather than be associated with organized religion. But diverse religions are part of the world reality and regardless of your faith or non-faith, ignorance of religions and religious traditions doesn’t help anything. Religious literacy is a must-have when you encounter and/or work with diverse religions whether they are fellow employees, friends, markets, or communities. Yes, it’s a bumpy road, but well worth traveling.

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Guide for People with Disabilities Entering Politics – by Rose Joneson

Running on Your Terms

Making the decision to run for office when you live with a disability is not just a bold act of civic engagement—it’s a powerful challenge to the status quo. Politics still doesn’t fully reflect the diversity of lived experiences across the country, and that includes disability. When you decide to throw your hat in the ring, you’re not just advocating for your ideas—you’re advocating for representation itself. But to do this effectively, you’ll need a strategy built around your strengths, needs, values, and vision.

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Prof. Anita Hill: Significance of Seat-taking – by Terry Howard

“Are you a scorned woman?” 

That was the “brilliant” question asked to Prof. Anita Hill by Senator Howell Heflin, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 1991 confirmation hearing (comprised entirely of graying white men) there to determine the fitness of Clarence Thomas for a seat on the U. S. Supreme Court.

After a three second – “are you kidding me” – pause and throat clearing, the good professor calmly answered, “no I’m not senator!”

Now let’s fast forward 35 years later to a recent Sunday night when Prof. Hill sat stoically across the desk from her interviewer, CNN’s Jake Tapper, to recap the experience and her life since then. On full display during that interview was the sempiternal nature of her professional demeanor that’s seemingly unchanged by time, a steadiness Prof. Hill exhibited during eight hours of blistering grilling by senators, some of whom had questionable backgrounds with respect to their treatment of women. Her poise and unflappability during her interview were textbook. 

Continue reading Prof. Anita Hill: Significance of Seat-taking – by Terry Howard

Celebrating WOMEN’s History MONTH – By Camm Ashford

Originally published in the Chattanooga News Chronicle

Deborah Levine:
A Woman of History Making History

Multi-dimensional. Purposed. Passionate. Resilient. These words and many more describe Deborah Levine – a woman of history making history as she lives.

A Chattanoogan by choice, the soft-spoken author gave the Chattanooga News Chronicle the honor of an interview for readers to be inspired during Women’s History Month, as well as know the hidden achievers who live in our very own community.

Deborah Levine’s biography features her accomplishments to include the roles of author, writing coach, editor-in-chief, script writer, journalist, and pioneer of cross-cultural leadership. Just as her roles are many so are her passions to learn, study, read, write, communicate, and convey to others tremendous insight and information.

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Renewing Diversity #6: Trans Talk – by Carlos Cortés 

“Can we finally stop talking about trans sports?” read the headline in the February 11, 2025, Los Angeles Times.  Of course this was followed by a column talking about — you guessed it — trans sports.  So the answer is no, we have to keep talking about trans sports for the same reason that people keep climbing mountains: because they are there.

 Four years ago I ended my ADR column on trans sports by positing that “the case of transgender female athletes may pose one of the ultimate tests for diversity advocates because it requires the difficult weighing of competing legitimate equity concerns, with no simple win-win solution in sight.”  I illustrated that conclusion by positing two hypothetical situations.   

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The History of Women in Robotics – by Rose Joneson

Women Groundbreakers in STEM

Women have helped shape various fields throughout history, and their contributions have led to countless innovations. Today, women groundbreakers in the sciences continue to make a significant impact in their respective communities. Take Lulu Copeland, for example, who currently serves as an advisor for the engineering programs of Bryan College in Tennessee and helped establish the Society of Women Engineers student group. Her work has been indispensable in encouraging more women to enter engineering fields.

Continue reading The History of Women in Robotics – by Rose Joneson