Being a chief diversity officer was never easy, but it seems the job has been getting more difficult over the past year.
Inflation, worker shortages, and worries about potential recession are topping corporate leaders' lists of concerns. One result could be that diversity slips off the list of boardroom priorities, executives working in this area told Insider.
At the same time, some conservative political leaders are waging war against what they call "woke culture" in corporate America, putting pressure on CEOs — and their staff — who advocate on issues like LGBTQ rights.
Despite these and other challenges, chief diversity officers across industries in the US have been working to advance the notions of diversity, equity, and inclusion in business and society over the past year. These leaders — often women of color — are working in an environment that could become even more fractious as the country gears up for the 2024 presidential election.
Insider is pleased to present its third-annual list of notable diversity officers changing their companies. Collectively, these executives are helping break barriers for an untold number of workers while also pushing their fellow corporate leaders to make their businesses more inclusive.