Why We Should “Keep Doing the Work” of DEI, Even as it’s Under Threat, According to a DEI Professional

In his first week in office this term, President Trump issued a series of executive orders targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The administration sent a clear message that it wanted to eliminate DEI in the public and private sectors. Many universities and nonprofits receiving federal funding immediately scrapped or changed their DEI policies, but so did businesses like Starbucks, Amazon, and Target.

To talk about the resulting chilling effect among Colorado businesses, KGNU was joined in the studio by Quinn Slaughter, an established DEI professional. Slaughter is the owner of Total Solutions First, an HR Consulting business, and the former Director of Global Workforce Readiness and Culture at International Paper.  Slaughter says she has seen many Colorado businesses change or eliminate the DEI language on their websites, for example. But when it comes to actual DEI policies, “they’re focusing on the real outcome of diversity, equity, inclusion, which is around making sure that you treat people the right way,” says Slaughter. The most important thing, she says, is that businesses still “have the right programs for your employees. You set them up to be able to succeed in your organization.”

At the Boulder Chamber and Colorado Inclusive Economy’s Leading Change Conference this week, Slaughter is moderating a panel of local business leaders from different industries who will discuss how DEI initiatives impact the business community and community at large.

You can listen to the full conversation here: