November 2025
Editor's Note:
The State of DEI: Between Fatigue and a Fierce New Fire
This week, I felt like I’d been punched in the face.
A major U.S. client of mine, a company once proud of its progressive values, decided to take its entire DEI program underground. The request didn’t come from the conservative board members or the lawyers. It came from the three Black women on the board, advising their liberal-leaning CEO to go quiet for fear of losing critical federal funding.
My client, the SVP of DEI, was faced with an impossible choice: comply and silence her convictions, or walk away from the career she’d spent two decades building. A decision that affects not only her livelihood and family, but also the lives and psychological safety of the people she leads.
Sadly, her story isn’t unique. Across the U.S., DEI roles have fallen by almost 40% since 2023, as organizations retreat from public commitments. In the U.K. and Europe, the language is softening. Diversity is being replaced by culture, equity by belonging. As companies try to preserve the work without inviting political backlash.
Yet despite the fatigue and fear, there’s a quiet evolution underway. Nearly half of global companies have maintained or increased DEI investment in 2024, tying inclusive practice to innovation, resilience, and performance. It’s no longer about slogans or statements - it’s about strategy, accountability, and moral courage.
We are in a new era where silence feels safe but integrity still matters. Where leaders are being tested not by what they say, but by what they protect when no one is watching. The future of DEI will not be shaped by those who play it safe, but by those who choose to stand firm - even when the spotlight fades.
Lynn xo
This month’s highlights
Ask Lynn
Any questions you have, career-led, life choices or situations you need help navigating - I will answer. This month I talk through questions such as:
How can I support my Black colleagues at work? I've heard comments from people about their hair for example and I just don't know if I should speak up and what to say.
I've got my own business and want to make sure that I approach things with DE&I in mind. I want to create a culture of diversity, how can I do that?
struggle at work sometimes to explain to people the importance of my culture (I'm Jewish). They don't understand why I can't cover certain shifts and I feel it's being taken as an attitude problem, when in reality I am just honouring my family. How do I approach this?
Episode V: She Means Business - Hannah Awonuga, CEO Illume & Global DEI Expert
Hannah Awonuga is more than a DEI expert - she’s a change-maker driven by purpose, faith, and a deep belief in the power of equity to transform lives. With over two decades of experience in banking and real estate, Hannah is shaping a global strategy that makes inclusion part of everyday business. Not just a corporate promise.
Her influence reaches far beyond the boardroom. Named one of HR Magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential DEI Practitioners and a WeAreTheCity Rising Star Award winner, Hannah has been recognized year after year as one of the most inspirational D&I professionals in the U.K. and beyond. But it’s her humility and heart that stand out most.
November’s Power Play Picks
Pick No. 1: The Power to Persist
Lamell McMorris’s The Power to Persist is a masterclass in staying the course when life tests your grit. He strips resilience down to its real essence; discipline, faith, vulnerability, and hustle. He reminds us that persistence is a muscle, not a mood. For ambitious women who refuse to quit but need smarter ways to sustain their drive, this book delivers both wisdom and fuel. It’s not just a read, it's a recharge for anyone determined to rise without burning out.
Pick No. 2: Harvard Women at Work
The Harvard Women at Work podcast is a brilliant deep dive into the real-world challenges ambitious women face as they rise. Each episode unpacks the unspoken rules of power, confidence, and navigating bias with the kind of intellect and honesty I deeply respect. It’s insightful without being preachy, and always leaves you thinking differently about how you show up. If you’re serious about building sustainable success, this one deserves a spot in your weekly rotation.