She’s an author, activist, and professor at Columbia Law School. And she was the opening keynote speaker for the 2024 Chief DEI Officer Forum.

In an insightful conversation, Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term “intersectionality,” invited everyone to imagine what’s next for organizational DEI. Her conversation with Ellen McGirt led attendees to strengthen their understanding of the term, and its critical role in rooting out inequity. As Crenshaw put it, “We need to be 100% unambivalent about that fact that we are still living in a time where the histories that shape our industries are still very much a part of the experience that people have.”

“I’m proud to be here as the CEO of Deloitte, but I’m more proud to be here as an ally for the important work that you’re doing.”

– Jason Girzadas, CEO, Deloitte US

Jason Girzadas acknowledged the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment and the ability to address it by being unambiguous about the importance of DEI to Deloitte and society at large. He emphasized that we’re facing tomorrow’s challenges together.

Attendees went beyond the data to learn how to tell the stories that capture the impact of their work in DEI and connect to people’s humanity.

Former Pixar Executive Andrew Gordon presented hard-won creative insights on how leaders can make narratives resonate for everyone: by sharing universal truths, not spoon-feeding audiences, and by being honest about what people want

Years of investing in DEI programs have had some leaders wondering whether they’re effective. And Dr. Stephanie Creary aimed to find out.

Ellen McGirt led a discussion with Dr. Stephanie Creary, Assistant Professor of Management, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The results of Dr. Creary’s research were clear: when we invest in the right structures and allyship training, everyone in the organization succeeds. In other words, DEI is good for everyone, and everyone can get involved.

Deloitte’s charismatic robot “Pepper” met Kavitha Prabhakar, and they showed us how powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and people can be when they come together to drive equity.

Prabhakar, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, focused on the important role that DEI leaders have in developing AI strategy within their organizations: “As AI evolves, there's a place for DEI in parallel to evolve, as well.”

Dr. Tasha Austin (Principal, Deloitte & Touche LLP) picked up where they left off, pressing the importance of humans developing ethical AI. Dr. Austin emphasized, “This is about putting the right tools in front of the right people to make sure we’re thinking about our decisions in a thoughtful, equitable, and ethical way.”

In the past few years, Supreme Court decisions have influenced how companies can implement DEI policies. But even in the face of these changes, leaders can still move forward.

NYU professors Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow helped the audience explore today’s DEI landscape, including strategies to frame DEI work in the face of legal challenges. As Yoshino put it, “Talent is everywhere, opportunity is not, and DEI is what closes the gap between the two.”

“We are architecting a better future for all—inclusive sustainability, equity, and trust.”

– Kwasi Mitchell, Chief Purpose & DEI Officer, Deloitte US

Even when DEI work isn’t straightforward, our guiding principles can be. A panel featuring Ben Campbell (Deloitte General Counsel, Deloitte LLP), Kwasi Mitchell, Dr. Stephanie Creary, and Ellen McGirt taught everyone how to navigate the risks embedded in DEI work without abandoning their goals and values.

“Thank you for doing work that is about creating spaces for people to be authentically themselves.”

– Brandon Wolf, author, activist, survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting

Brandon Wolf, National Press Secretary at Human Rights Campaign, used his own experiences to illustrate the urgent need for a more inclusive society. By describing how he created a community for himself as an LGBTQIA+ adult, he invited leaders to imagine how to create safe places for everyone in their organizations.

Let's face it: there’s almost never enough time to meet everyone at a conference. Enter our pass-the-mic session, where every leader took a moment to introduce themselves to the audience.

This CDEIO Forum fixture is about more than 30-second introductions: it’s about reflecting the individual power of each leader, the collective power of the brands in the room, and how we all contribute to this experience. Over these three days, we do more than share insights—we share stories, challenges, and connections that will last far beyond the last day of the Forum.

It can be hard not to cover up parts of our identity to fit in. But when people can’t be their full selves at work, companies can’t reach their full potential.

Which is why it’s up to leaders to create a culture where workers don’t feel a demand to cover—that is, to hide or downplay certain identities to blend into the mainstream. CDEIO Forum Co-Dean Joanne Stephane (DEI Institute Executive Director and Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP) welcomed Guylaine Saint Juste, Damian Rivera, Jeff Wissel, and Anna Mok to discuss how leaders are creating psychological safety in their organizations to help everyone thrive.

As many purpose-driven leaders can attest, the way we can reshape the world is: together. That collaborative spirit was at the heart of this panel discussion.

Kashima Atwood’s (DEI Institute Leader, Deloitte Services LP) in-depth discussion with social impact leaders Tulaine Montgomery, John Rice, Ellen McClain, and Samantha Tweedy showed everyone how we can focus on equity not just in the workplace, but in society. Each leader’s insights allowed us to imagine a world where we can work together across sectors—public, private, nonprofit—to drive and sustain change for generations to come.