DRIVING DIVERSITY: 7 leaders from top US companies like Netflix and Twitter share how they are answering calls for racial justice

Chief diversity and inclusion officers find themselves under a microscope as more workers demand equality in the workplace.Associated Press

• Workers are demanding corporate leaders speak out against racism and promote diversity in the office in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and other Black Americans.
• Chief diversity and inclusion officers at America's top companies now find themselves in the spotlight, tasked with ushering in change.
• Business Insider spoke with several Fortune 500 diversity and inclusion leaders about how their role has changed and how they have been personally impacted by recent events.
• Leaders from Mastercard, SAP, Prudential, Twitter, and more shared their personal stories as well as their company's plans for change.

In the wake of the the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans, and the recent shooting of Jacob Blake, business leaders find themselves at a crucial moment in history. They're facing a corporate awakening on racial violence and inequality in the US. Workers are calling on their leaders to speak out and promote equality.

There's arguably no one in a more important, or precarious position, than diversity and inclusion officers. In 2019, 234 of the S&P 500 companies had diversity professionals, nearly two-thirds of whom had started their jobs within the past three years, according to data from Strategy+Business.

These DEI executives have the critical challenge of navigating company efforts for racial justice, equity, and inclusion as the whole world watches and demands change.

Business Insider spoke with several leading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders at top US companies. Here's what they had to say about how they're feeling, and how their job has changed in recent weeks.

Note: These interviews were conducted shortly before the video of Jacob Blake's shooting went viral.