The State of Global DEI with Rohini Anand: The Trump Administration’s Impact on Global DEI Strategies
In the February 6 session of Next Practices Weekly, globally recognized DEI expert Dr. Rohini Anand, Chair of i4cp’s Chief Diversity Officer Board, joined Amber Burton, Senior Research Analyst at i4cp, and Eric Davis, Senior Editor & Creative Director at i4cp, for a deep dive into the evolving DEI landscape. The conversation addressed the ongoing impact of political shifts, including recent executive orders from the Trump administration, and how organizations can navigate these challenges while maintaining their commitment to equity and inclusion.
DEI has never been a static initiative—it has always evolved in response to external pressures, from compliance-driven approaches to social justice movements and the latest political headwinds. Dr. Anand emphasized that while some organizations may feel compelled to scale back their DEI efforts due to legal scrutiny or political pushback, the real opportunity lies in reframing and embedding DEI into core business strategy.
The discussion explored key themes, including how organizations can navigate shifting regulatory landscapes, reframe DEI messaging, and drive business impact through inclusion. Drawing from her extensive global experience, Dr. Anand also highlighted the importance of adopting regionally tailored DEI approaches and leveraging both data and personal storytelling to gain leadership buy-in.
Key Topics of Discussion
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The Political Landscape and Its Impact on DEI: The Trump administration’s recent executive orders have created new legal and reputational challenges for corporate DEI initiatives. While some organizations may feel pressure to retreat, Dr. Anand stressed the importance of ensuring DEI programs are aligned with leadership to mitigate risk while maintaining momentum.
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Reframing DEI: A Strategic, Not Reactive, Approach: Instead of pulling back, leading organizations are adjusting their language and approach to keep DEI efforts sustainable. This includes shifting terminology from “diversity” to “inclusion and belonging,” ensuring DEI initiatives apply to all employees, and directly linking DEI strategies to business outcomes such as innovation and talent retention.
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One Size Doesn’t Fit All: DEI challenges and solutions vary significantly across countries. Dr. Anand emphasized the need for regionally adaptive DEI frameworks that align with cultural and legal norms.
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Winning Buy-In Through Data and Storytelling: Gaining leadership support requires both hard data and personal stories. Leaders need to see the human impact of DEI initiatives to become true advocates.
The future of DEI is not about retreat—it’s about evolution. As Dr. Anand highlighted, organizations that adapt their DEI efforts strategically, align them with business goals, and stay committed to long-term impact will be the ones that shape the workplaces of the future.
Want to stay ahead of the latest workforce trends? Join us for our upcoming Next Practices Weekly sessions to continue the conversation on building inclusive and future-ready workplaces.
