Gravity Research’s 2025 DEI Benchmarking Analysis Reveals Key Trends
Corporate DEI policies are undergoing rapid transformation, with policy changes surging after President Trump’s inauguration as companies navigate new political and legal realities. Gravity Research’s latest benchmarking analysis tracks these shifts, examining how businesses are adapting to increased scrutiny while maintaining commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We updated our DEI benchmarking analysis to include corporate changes so far in March 2025.
What’s Changing?
Our analysis, based on publicly reported corporate disclosures from June 2024 to March 2025, highlights major shifts:
- Nearly 2 in 5 companies explicitly cited Trump’s executive orders when adjusting their DEI strategies.
- Among those making changes, at least 48% revised or eliminated hiring diversity goals. Others have rolled back DEI language and DEI considerations for executive compensation.
- 86% of companies framed their DEI changes as part of an “evolving legal and social environment.”
The New DEI Playbook
Companies are repositioning their DEI efforts to balance compliance with corporate values:
- Reframing representation – Shifting focus toward “merit-based” hiring.
- Restructuring ERGs – Emphasizing mentorship over identity-based advocacy.
- Reevaluating corporate philanthropy – Aligning DEI funding more closely with business priorities.
Looking Ahead
While some DEI programs are scaling back, they are not disappearing. Instead, businesses are refining their approach to align with shifting political and legal realities while preserving core commitments to inclusion and belonging.
Gravity Research is closely tracking these shifts as businesses recalibrate their approach to DEI in an evolving regulatory and reputational landscape.
