From: Captive International
Contrary to widespread opinion, there is little evidence to suggest that more diversity on company boards results in better performance. But asking this very question is unhelpful and unnecessary when considering diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) within a company.
That was what Nicholas Ashburn, SVP & Head of Responsible Investing, PNC Institutional Asset Management, told delegates at the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA), taking place in Tucson this week (March 6-8).
Introducing himself as a “gay man, a husband and a father” he was the keynote speaker in a session called ‘Beyond Intentions – Taking Action on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)’.
He started by noting that jargon around DE&I abounds – starting by defining what diversity means to your organization is critical. The concept of DE&I in a corporate environment may seem nebulous, but the lived experiences of your employees, clients and investors are clearhe argued.
Ashburn argued that a commitment to DE&I is no longer aspirational for companies – it’s become table stakes in today’s environment. Covering everything from leave policies to pay equity, from productivity to profit, he encouraged companies to take actionable steps designed to define, discuss, and implement supportive DE&I policies & practices.