The Morning Brief Opus DEI: Will Trump’s pushback impact MNCs in India?
Apr 22, 2025
Dr. Ishani Roy, a DEI strategist and the Founder of Serein, teams up with Munira Loliwala, Vice President at TeamLease Digital, to dissect the global debate on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They delve into the implications of the Trump administration's rollbacks and how these may shape DEI initiatives in India. The duo discusses the varying commitment levels between multinational corporations and Indian startups, exploring how the latter might leverage DEI for compliance and talent retention, while identifying challenges in traditional sectors.
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DEI Backlash: NASA & Others
- NASA fired Neil Rajendra, an Indian-origin chief DEI officer despite renaming her designation to avoid Trump's DEI crackdown.
- Several major US companies like Meta and Amazon have cut back DEI initiatives recently.
Origins of DEI and Equity Laws
- DEI originated from civil rights movements pushing for equal opportunity hiring, starting with executive orders in the 1960s.
- In India, workplace safety laws like the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act are part of foundational equity efforts.
Practical Approach to DEI
- Forget the jargon and focus on building a team that understands and represents diverse market needs.
- Diversity and inclusion create better products and business outcomes by reflecting customer bases accurately.