A5: The Path Forward: Purposeful Work After DEI

Related COA Accreditation standards: Governance (GOV)

The diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) landscape has shifted dramatically, leaving organizations and leaders grappling with uncertainty. Rollbacks, resistance, and new federal mandates have challenged traditional approaches, creating a sense of urgency to redefine how inclusion and equity manifest in the workplace. Despite the challenges, one thing remains clear—fostering trust, collaboration, and accountability is critical for thriving workplaces. This workshop is designed for leaders, practitioners, and advocates who are looking to navigate this new era of inclusion with purpose and precision. It will provide a roadmap for moving beyond the limitations of traditional DEI frameworks into Human-Inclusive EQ (HI-EQ), a practical, human-centric approach that aligns inclusion efforts with compliance to create measurable, lasting impact.

Participants will gain actionable insights into:

• The pro/anti-DEI cycle and how it has shaped current organizational dynamics
• Navigating federal compliance, while maintaining a focus on inclusion and belonging
• Leveraging HI-EQ principles like universal worth, empathy and awareness, and accountability in action to rebuild trust and foster collaboration

This session isn’t about abandoning DEI; it’s about evolving it into something purposeful, compliant, and effective. You’ll leave equipped with tools like the Lever Mapping Worksheet and Metrics for Success Guide to immediately apply in your organization, ensuring your efforts drive both cultural and business outcomes.

Through an interactive format, we’ll explore how to navigate resistance, foster alignment across differing perspectives, and create inclusion strategies that work for everyone. Participants will also engage in hands-on exercises to personalize the concepts ensure they leave with a clear action plan tailored to their unique challenges.

As leaders and decision-makers, participants will leave with:

• Clarity on how to reconcile DEI goals with shifting regulations and expectations
• Tools to create inclusive cultures rooted in human values, trust, and measurable outcomes
• Confidence to guide their organizations through change without compromising their core missions

This workshop will empower participants to lead the next evolution of inclusion work, ensuring their organizations remain resilient, effective, and aligned with the broader goal of social impact. Whether you’re a seasoned DEI leader or new to navigating inclusion challenges, this session will offer fresh perspectives and actionable solutions for charting the path forward.

Join us to explore how inclusion can thrive in a post-DEI world where purpose, compliance, and meaningful action converge. Together, we’ll define what purposeful work looks like and build a future where everyone belongs.

Learning Objectives

• About the pro/anti-DEI cycle
• The dynamics that have shaped the current DEI landscape, including resistance, rollbacks, and shifting expectations
• How to navigate federal compliance with confidence
• How to align inclusion efforts with federal mandates while maintaining a focus on trust, collaboration, and accountability
• How to apply the Human-Inclusive EQ Framework (HI-EQ)
• How HI-EQ principles, such as universal worth, empathy and awareness, and accountability in action, can rebuild trust and foster thriving workplace cultures
• Develop actionable inclusion strategies
• Acquire tools, like the Lever Mapping Worksheet and Metrics for Success Guide, to create practical, measurable inclusion initiatives tailored to your organization

Presenters

Kelly Blackmon
Founder/Consultant
B.E. Consulting

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