Laura McGee (CEO, Diversio): Here's Why DEI Programs Are Here to Stay

DEI has become one of the most polarizing conversations in the corporate world, especially in the 2025 Trump era. Is it a critical business strategy, or just corporate virtue signaling? On this episode of Mission Critical with Lance Chung, Lance sits down with Laura McGee, CEO of Diversio, to cut through the noise and uncover what’s really happening behind the headlines.

McGee shares how Diversio is using AI and data analytics to make workplaces more productive—and why the backlash against DEI is based more on perception than reality. She breaks down the myths surrounding diversity efforts, reveals the surprising truth about which companies are actually pulling back, and explains why leaders should embrace uncomfortable conversations instead of avoiding them.

Key Takeaways:

• The media’s portrayal of DEI is misleading—most companies aren’t canceling it, they’re rebranding it.
• Why fear, not facts, is the biggest barrier to progress.
• The global differences in how companies approach inclusion—and what North America gets wrong.
• How to shift the DEI conversation from divisive to productive.

It’s time to separate fact from fiction. Listen now.