DEI at a Crossroads: Charting the Future in a Divided Landscape?

In a rapidly shifting geopolitical era, DEI is no longer just a moral imperative – it’s a contested space.
As we navigate 2025, a pivotal question emerges: Is diversity, equity, and inclusion still a relevant and effective framework for driving structural change? Once embraced as a cornerstone of progressive workplaces and institutions, DEI now faces increasing scrutiny, resistance, and politicization. Fatigue is setting in, performativity is being called out, and the push for measurable impact is louder than ever.

This session explores the evolution of DEI – from buzzword to battleground – and what its future might look like. We’ll unpack the tensions, interrogate where the framework still holds power, and examine how equity work must adapt to remain meaningful and effective. What does leadership look like in this climate? What new models of justice and inclusion are emerging? And how do we ensure DEI remains more than a checkbox in a world that’s anything but stable?