Diverse & Inclusive (D&I) initiatives have gone beyond box-checking. D&I cultures are providing companies with a competitive edge over their peers. Leaders understand that creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive culture makes talented people want to join and stay. Yet, leaders are aware that they are not doing enough.

Progress on diversity and inclusion could slow down during and after the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. The main challenge for companies is understanding the needs and circumstances of employees who themselves are diverse in all of the traditional measures, but also are affected by widely varying life, work and family conditions. In addition, companies need to navigate far-reaching disruption to their operations, plan for recovery, and prepare to reimagine their business models for the next normal.

Urgent measures are required for companies to adapt to new ways of working; consolidate workforce capacity; and maintain productivity, a sense of connection, and the physical and mental health of their employees. This event aims at unlocking the power of D&I as an enabler of business performance, innovation, resilience and organizational health.