Abstract

This study examined the lived experiences of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners to understand the barriers and opportunities shaping their work in the current landscape. The study identified conditions for success, including two organizational conditions (authentic leadership commitment and strategic business alignment), three practitioner-driven strategies (human resource operations and systemic integration, use of data and metrics, and adaptive framing to increase adoption), and three persistent barriers (leadership support without operational follow-through, funding and time constraints, and structural marginalization of DEI). A central finding revealed that leadership commitment was both the most cited enabler of success and, when lacking operational follow-through, the most cited barrier. This suggests organizations sustain DEI progress when leadership investment is genuine and DEI is integrated into business strategy and core operations. The study contributes practitioner-centered insight during a period of political opposition and organizational retreat.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Diversity in the workplace—Management; Organizational change; Leadership; Strategic planning

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management

Department/Program

Business

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Masters

Faculty Advisor

Christopher G. Worley

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