Enter the Boardroom with Nurole 148. Professor Doyin Atewologun: Should boards ditch DEI?
Nov 12, 2025
Professor Doyin Atewologun, Founder and CEO of Delta and former Dean of the Rhodes Scholarship, dives deep into the nuances of DEI in corporate boards. She critiques the Parker Review's effectiveness and explores the correlation between diversity and performance, arguing that inclusion is the key factor. Doyin clarifies the difference between equity and equality, stressing the importance of actively fostering inclusion beyond token hires. She also shares practical steps for board members to enhance inclusion and discusses common pitfalls in DEI implementation.
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Public Targets Drive Boardroom Change
- The Parker Review used clear public targets and practical case studies to create social pressure and urgency for boardroom change.
- Framing diversity as a strategic responsibility, not just a moral one, increased corporate buy-in and pride in stewardship.
Inclusion Explains Diversity's Performance Link
- Correlations between diversity and performance do not prove causation; direction and mechanisms matter.
- Inclusion often explains when diversity leads to better performance, acting as the key intervening variable.
Break Down Diversity, Don't Oversimplify
- Define diversity precisely and avoid treating visible markers as attribute shortcuts in decision-making.
- Break down categories (e.g., ethnic groups) to understand distinct experiences and design appropriate actions.
