The Future of DEI & Male Allyship

Closing out 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

2024 proved to be another challenging year for advancing women’s leadership and fostering allyship. Amid ongoing attacks on DEI initiatives, McKinsey & Company + Lean In’s latest data painted a clear yet frustrating picture: progress toward workplace equity for women remains at a crawl.

As I reflect on the year, I also note the most popular topics that our Conversations QuickStarters newsletter explored, which highlight the urgency and complexity of the conversations taking place within Business Resource Groups (BRGs). Here’s what resonated most with our audience in 2024:

Looking ahead, the stakes are higher than ever. My 2025 keynote, “DEI Is Under Attack: Why Smart Companies Are Doubling Down” (https://tinyurl.com/yw2025dei), will focus on the solid data underscoring why companies must resist the temptation to scale back on their DEI efforts. Those who do risk losing more than just their top talent—they jeopardize innovation, resilience, and competitiveness. In today’s fast-changing world, taking steps backward is simply not an option.

Additionally, I’m continuing to give my popular “Engaging All Allies: Moving from Awareness to Action” (https://tinyurl.com/ywallallies) keynote and have updated it with the most recent data and best allyship practices.

To navigate the challenges ahead, organizations need to treat DEI as a strategic imperative—not a trend. Employees already recognize its critical importance and are looking for results.

If your BRG is ready to take action, start by discussing your DEI priorities in your next meeting. Check out my Creating Gender Advocates for actionable insights and free modules to help you create an Integrated Women’s Leadership Strategy, and explore YWomen’s free tools, white papers and resources to help your organization make meaningful progress.

In the comments or a direct message, share your top priorities for 2025.

Let’s make 2025 a year of renewed commitment and measurable outcomes in advancing equity. I’d love to collaborate with your team to accomplish these goals.

 

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