DEIB as Risk Management: Why Insurance Is the Canary in the Coal Mine - with guest James Felton Keith

In this episode of the Two Piers Podcast, host Erica D’Eramo is joined by James Felton Keith, Chairperson of the ISO-30415:DISM standard for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and CEO of Inclusion Score Companies. Together, they explore why insurance is a leading indicator of people management risks—and how DEIB is becoming a critical component of risk strategy across industries.

James shares the journey behind developing the ISO standard for DEIB, the impact of employment practices liability on insurance markets, and the practical ways organizations can use DEIB standards to improve compliance, reduce litigation risk, and build resilient teams. From the roles of brokers and underwriters to the pitfalls of ad hoc inclusion efforts, this episode breaks down what leaders need to know now.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• James Felton Keith’s career path from engineering and politics to global DEIB leadership
• The development of the ISO-30415:DISM DEIB standard
• How DEIB intersects with insurance, risk management, and compliance
• The rise of Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and its implications
• Understanding the roles of brokers and underwriters in DEIB risk
• Leadership’s role in creating feedback loops and belonging
• Real-world examples of DEIB missteps—and how to avoid them

Resources & Links:

• Learn more at InclusionScore.org
• Explore the ISO-30415:DISM standard on ISO.org
• Check out this article in Insurance Journal
• Connect with James Felton Keith on LinkedIn
• DEIB Resources + tools in the show notes at Two Piers Consulting

Connect with Us:

• Follow Two Piers Consulting on LinkedIn
• Learn more about our work at twopiersconsulting.com

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