Over the past year, organizations across multiple industries have quietly—and sometimes not so quietly—scaled back or outright dismantled their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. What was once heralded as a critical driver of organizational success and brand reputation has now become the face of budget cuts, leadership eliminations, strategic de-prioritization, and public denouncements. The reasons for these rollbacks vary, from economic pressures and shifting political landscapes to an inability to articulate DEI’s impact or justify it as an evolving business priority.

As these changes unfold, one fundamental question remains: Who will do the work?