C-Suite Execs Across the Political Spectrum Reveal in New National Survey that Corporate Diversity Initiatives Critical for Performance and Growth 

A new national survey of senior executives in large companies reveals a strong consensus across political affiliations that diversity initiatives are critical for business strategies, create significant value, and will become increasingly important. 

Business leaders across the board see diversity initiatives as very important for their business strategy and expect it will become more important in the coming years.

• 82% of business leaders consider diversity initiatives as essential to their business strategy - including many from both sides of the political spectrum. Only 2% of business leaders say these initiatives are not important.
• 67% anticipate such initiatives will grow in importance in the coming years.

Diversity initiatives are credited with improving business performance, enhancing talent acquisition and retention, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering innovation.

• 45% of business leaders said the main reason they have diversity initiatives is to improve business performance, improve talent acquisition (43%), and increase innovation and creativity (38%)
• Through supplier diversity, improving innovation and competitiveness (57%) is cited as the top reason to have these programs.

Business leaders pay attention to public sentiment, welcome clarity on rules of the road, and want support in the form of data and tools.

• Half of business leaders (51%) say public attitudes influence their company's decisions on these initiatives, and 60% say that legal or regulatory guidance that makes the parameters of what is possible clear would be very helpful.

“In the realm of business, numbers tell the most compelling story. With 82% of executives indicating that diversity initiatives are critical for their business strategies, the connection between business diversity and business success is undeniable. It’s not just about being on the right side of public opinion, but on the right side of growth, innovation, and performance in a rapidly evolving business landscape.”

— TAMMY HALEVY

Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street

reported that the commitment to diversity as a corporate objective has increased in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in higher education and an open letter from Republican Attorneys General

45% of senior executives

recognize enhanced business performance as a key benefit of diversity, followed by talent acquisition/retention (43%), and fostering innovation/creativity (38%)

50% of respondents 

reported their companies rely on long-standing and well-developed supplier diversity programs, with 32% of companies developing new ones. The main motivations for these programs are driving innovation and competitiveness  (57%), supporting diverse-owned businesses (55%), and aligning with corporate social responsibility (50%).