NACD Releases DE&I Oversight Resource for Boards in Wake of Recent Supreme Court Ruling

WASHINGTON, DC (July 17, 2023)— Today, the NACD Center for Inclusive Governance® released a discussion guide for boards following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

The NACD Center for Inclusive Governance (CFIG) believes that a diverse board and an inclusive boardroom are critical to the long-term success of every organization.

While the recent ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College applies only to race-conscious admissions in higher education, we understand that directors are curious about its implications for their governance and oversight duties. Therefore, NACD has prepared a resource: Ground-Breaking SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling: A Boardroom Discussion Guide.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our members are prepared with the information needed to lead impactful, strategic discussions on this matter in the boardroom. We urge boards to remain firm in their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In the 40 years that NACD has encouraged the creation of diverse and inclusive boardrooms, we have observed the following:

If harnessed constructively, different perspectives in the boardroom yield better outcomes for all stakeholders. Inclusion of those diverse perspectives from around the table enhances the dialogue and opens the aperture to seek out opportunities and identify risks.

To ensure the right balance of experience, a high-performing board balances and matches the various skill sets of its members to the company's needs, while ensuring that its directors reflect the rich tapestry of the company's customers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders.

For our markets and businesses to thrive in this volatile, uncertain environment, we need to promote the strongest possible competition of ideas and capitalize on all talent. Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion make better products and services, take more informed risks, and ultimately create more value for shareholders. American capitalism is stronger today—and will be even stronger tomorrow—because of diversity and inclusion.

This is why NACD will remain steadfast in our work in creating systemic change to help shape the American boardroom for generations to come.

About the Center for Inclusive Governance
The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the leading member organization for corporate directors. For over 45 years, NACD has set the standard for good governance and positioned boards to be strategic assets to their enterprises. In 2021, NACD established the Center for Inclusive Governance, to better support boards in their diversity work—based on a shared understanding that a diverse and inclusive board is critical to the long-term value creation of every organization—and to society at large.

To learn more about the Center's work, visit: The Center for Inclusive Governance website.

Press Contact
Shannon Bernauer
sbernauer@nacdonline.org
571-367-3688