Each year, DiversityPlus Magazine proudly recognizes outstanding diversity leaders who are innovative in advancing organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and social and economic inclusion. They are disrupters of the status quo who bravely ask internal and external leaders to rethink their perspectives limiting understanding of the value generated through supplier diversity and leadership diversity and how DEI supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. However, the strategies of the 2024 Top Diversity Change Leaders involve much more than “talk.” They are people of action who relentlessly pursue measurable results.

Despite years of proving the value of DEI and supplier diversity, there is still a lot of pushback. It takes people like the Diversity Change Leaders to ensure dialogue and strategies stay on track. As one change leader wrote, she rejects the mantra “We can’t find any,” referring to finding qualified small and diverse suppliers. Many wrote about their steadfast efforts to hold purposeful conversations coupled with building an inclusion infrastructure supporting stakeholders' needs and requirements. Adding diverse suppliers to a supply chain or increasing workforce and leadership diversity are only sustainable changes when organizations have the right resources in place. This is why so many of the diversity leaders have developed a deep bench of technical assistance for suppliers, utilize data and data analytics to assess and monitor the progress of their strategies, employ benchmarking, establish goals, and develop and implement a host of supportive activities that include procurement and diverse supplier digital platforms and supplier training and development workshops.

A diversity change leader said it well by stating the goal is to develop a holistic ecosystem that transcends financial transactions. It is not just the data collected on diversity that matters. Data and data analytics must be used to develop new strategies and approaches. Ultimately, the Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders pursue excellence in everything they do, which includes being hands-on leaders doing “in-the-trenches work.” They lead workshops, directly advise leadership teams of global companies, and meet individually with small and diverse suppliers. They mentor suppliers to ensure they have access to the tools, resources, and information needed for success. Some leaders develop workforce support by implementing training opportunities to help organizational members better understand the broader importance of DEI to the success of people, communities, small and diverse businesses, and their organizations.

Some leaders have launched Tier 2 programs and ensure success by leveraging relationships with Tier 1 suppliers. Building relationships is a core strategy for all 25 Top Diversity Change Leaders. They build relationships with organizational leaders, peers in other companies, community advocacy organizations at local and national levels, suppliers, and others. Some sit on the boards or are members of advocacy and business support organizations. They also provide input to government policymakers, becoming the voices of small, women and minority-owned businesses.

This year, there is a noticeable integration of the work in the DEI space with ESG. The Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders have been instrumental in helping procurement and senior leaders understand the interrelated nature of their work and the ability of the organization to meet ESG goals. These are people who can clearly define the value of DEI in the real world. One Change Leader explained that there is a deep respect for academics who develop theoretical organizational models, but she translates theory into tangible, real-world change. This is how the mantle of disruption is assumed and worn each day.

Please join DiversityPlus Magazine in congratulating the 2024 Top Diversity Change Leaders. The magazine’s staff is humbled by their passionate and unrelenting efforts to advance economic inclusion for all. Disruptors are not always fully appreciated because they ask people to embrace change, which may require deep introspection and a willingness to change personal convictions. It could be disheartening to recognize that DEI is far from being fully integrated into organizational policies and behaviors. However, the fact that so many experienced men and women continue to bring measurable change in the DEI space is encouraging.

This is a journey without an end in sight, but thankfully, it is a journey led by the Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders who are constantly pushing forward. They invite readers to join the journey as advocates and leaders and encourage anyone wanting more information about their strategies to contact them. The more diversity advocates network, the more positive disruption will take place.