Creating a Competency Model for Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners

The role of diversity and inclusion in business is changing due to rapid technological advancements, globalization, immigration, increased demand for skills and education, and an aging workforce in a large part of the world. From being compliance-driven and tactical at its inception, diversity has grown into a business-driven, strategic function. In order to hire and manage D&I executives, to say nothing of completing succession plans that ensure the function’s long-term viability, a set of globally applicable, measurable competencies for D&I practitioners at multiple levels is needed. Drawing from the experience of the senior executives of The Conference Board’s Council on Workforce Diversity, with representatives from the Diversity & Inclusion Council and the Diversity Business Council, this report sets out a new and unique competency model for 21st century D&I practioners.