{"id":4213,"date":"2023-06-22T17:27:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T17:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wheels2025dev.wpenginepowered.com\/resource\/building-an-effective-dei-strategy-key-steps-and-recommendations-from-wheelss-dei-leaders\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T21:43:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T21:43:42","slug":"building-an-effective-dei-strategy-key-steps-and-recommendations-from-wheelss-dei-leaders","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.wheels.com\/public\/resource\/building-an-effective-dei-strategy-key-steps-and-recommendations-from-wheelss-dei-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Building an Effective DE&I Strategy: Key Steps and Recommendations from Wheels’s DE&I Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In today’s increasingly diverse and interconnected world, implementing a robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy is crucial for organizations seeking to foster a more inclusive work environment and promote a culture of sustainability. At the recent NAFA 2023 I&E, Wheels’s\u00a0Maria Neve<\/a>,\u00a0Karen Henry<\/a>, and\u00a0Sue Germaine CBA<\/a>\u00a0presented a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for organizations looking to kickstart their DE&I journey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here are the key steps they outlined:<\/p>\r\n

Conduct a Current State Assessment<\/h2>\r\n

To begin, evaluate your organization’s existing DE&I landscape using the myriad tools and resources available. Both free and paid options exist to suit varying levels of internal resources and expertise. An in-depth assessment will shed light on the areas requiring improvement and help define your organization’s DE&I strategy.<\/p>\r\n

Determine the Purpose of DEI<\/h2>\r\n

Once the assessment is complete, align the feedback from employees and leadership with your organization’s broader strategy to define the purpose of DE&I. At this stage, it’s essential to establish a clear vision and mission to guide your efforts.<\/p>\r\n

Determine the Governance Model & Select DEI Initiatives<\/h2>\r\n

With the mission, vision, and purpose in place, carefully choose the initiatives that will support your DE&I goals and develop a governance model for your team. Ensure that the CEO, President, and other C-suite members are involved in this process, lending credibility, and emphasizing the importance of DE&I across the organization. While securing leadership buy-in may be challenging, it is vital for the DE&I committee chair to persistently push for greater visibility and focus.<\/p>\r\n

Plan to Launch the DEI Strategy<\/h2>\r\n

After completing the previous steps, you are ready to unveil your DE&I strategy to the organization. To ensure a successful launch, develop a comprehensive communication, awareness, and training plan that encompasses the meaning, importance, and implementation of your DE&I initiatives. In their first year of implementation, Wheel focused on raising awareness among frontline employees and leaders through training programs and celebratory events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

By following these steps, you will have:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    \r\n
  • Created a DE&I strategy project team.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  • Gathered organizational data to uncover DE&I gaps and challenges.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  • Conducted focus groups to uncover the employee experience.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  • Reviewed the organization’s broader strategic goals and priorities.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  • Completed the DE&I Assessment.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
  • Gathered external data to understand the broader DE&I landscape.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Embarking on a DE&I journey is an ongoing process rather than a one-time exercise. By implementing these recommendations from Wheel’s DEI leaders, your organization will be well on its way to fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace that benefits employees, stakeholders, and society as a whole.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    In today’s increasingly diverse and interconnected world, implementing a robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy is crucial for organizations seeking to foster a more inclusive work environment and promote a culture of sustainability. At the recent NAFA 2023 I&E, Wheels’s\u00a0Maria Neve,\u00a0Karen Henry, and\u00a0Sue Germaine CBA\u00a0presented a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for organizations looking to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":2425,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"project_category":[17],"project_tag":[],"class_list":["post-4213","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","project_category-blog","topics-customer-success","topics-fleet-strategy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBuilding an Effective DE&I Strategy: Key Steps and Recommendations from Wheels's DE&I Leaders | Wheels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In today's increasingly diverse and interconnected world, implementing a robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy is crucial for\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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