About Session
In February 2024, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) announced it would no longer consider board diversity metrics—such as gender and race/ethnicity—in its voting recommendations for director elections.¹ This shift follows a broader trend: many companies that once publicly championed inclusion efforts after the murder of George Floyd have since quietly or overtly rolled back DEI programs, disclosures, and language.
For socially responsible investors, this creates a significant challenge. Diversity data is becoming harder to access, proxy guidance is becoming less aligned with our values, and it’s increasingly difficult to track changes, respond effectively, and remain aligned with core principles.
This panel will address how investors can anticipate and respond to this diversity backsliding with integrity and impact, using both existing tools and collaborative strategies to strengthen DEI efforts.
OFFERINGS:
For investors new to this issue:
They will leave with a foundational understanding of the evolving DEI landscape and the implications of diversity rollbacks for shareholder engagement. Learn how to initiate informed conversations with companies, navigate limited disclosures, and begin integrating diversity considerations into your proxy voting.
For those who have successfully negotiated with companies:
This session’s working group and table talk portion offers a space to share your experiences, refine your strategies, and explore new collaborative approaches with peers. Help shape a shared understanding of success metrics, and explore how to replicate and scale these wins through collective investor action and shared data strategies.
For all participants:
Together, we’ll identify practical lessons, persistent challenges, and emerging solutions for protecting and advancing board diversity and DEI transparency.
