Allies Section : Nancy Levine Stearns

Nancy Levine Stearns is a freelance journalist from the USA, specialising in corporate social responsibility, with her work being cited in The New York Times, NBC News, Forbes, and other respected publications.

In 2020, she was recognised as the No. 1 ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) Influencer on Twitter, according to Commetric.

Nancy’s background includes a career as an executive recruiter, starting at American Express in New York, and her deep commitment to inclusion is further reflected in her nonprofit journalism project, Impactivize. She is also the author of The Tao of Pug book series, published by Penguin/Skyhorse.

Nancy’s personal and professional commitment to DEI continues to be a guiding force in her work and advocacy.

Reflections on Inclusivity and Allyship

An inclusive culture and allyship mean embracing all perspectives and amplifying the voices of those who have been marginalised. As a journalist, I see my role not only as reporting news but also as educating and informing the public on critical issues, particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through my nonprofit journalism project, Impactivize, we report, curate, and amplify news and commentaries on DEI initiatives in the private sector.

The common media narrative often claims that “DEI is dying” in corporations, usually highlighting news about corporate DEI rollbacks that stir outrage and attract clicks. However, this view is fundamentally incorrect. As the Chief Legal Officer at McDonald's posted, much of the media has “overwhelmingly gotten it wrong” about the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are actively working to debunk the false claim that DEI undermines merit.

I spent nearly 30 years as an executive recruiter, starting at American Express headquarters in New York City. As a recruiter, I can confidently say that DEI practices enhance merit-based hiring. It’s essential to cast the widest possible net to find the best talent. Diversity initiatives ensure that the best talent is attracted from the broadest pool, and corporate leaders know this. That’s why boards of directors and shareholders at companies like Costco, Visa, Apple, John Deere, and Disney overwhelmingly voted to maintain DEI practices in their organizations.

Despite some activists like Robby Starbuck, who has no corporate experience or formal business education, pushing for the dismantling of DEI programs, corporate leaders continue to understand that DEI is crucial for success.

As a journalist and a former executive recruiter, my role is to report the facts and tell the stories of these efforts with accuracy and nuance. Impactivize operates as a fiscally sponsored nonprofit, so we don’t have corporate overlords or shareholders we need to appease. We’re not here to generate outrage or clickbait; we aim to offer truthful reporting, showing that there is strength in numbers when it comes to DEI in the private sector.

Experiencing Allyship and Taking Action

In my own life, I look to leaders who are currently targeted by anti-DEI forces for guidance on how to be a good ally. I turn to leaders in the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ advocacy spaces who have a business orientation, helping amplify their messages and calls to action.

Through Impactivize, we act in allyship with these leaders, elevating their voices. We especially look to law firms like Perkins Coie as role models. Despite being targeted by President Trump for their DEI initiatives, Perkins Coie did not back down, and neither did Harvard. Similarly, 15 state attorneys general, led by Kwame Raoul, the Illinois Attorney General, have advised companies to resist calls to end their DEI programs. As allies, we stand with these organizations, amplifying their stories and their courage to keep DEI practices intact.

In embracing differences and making others feel valued, I hope to contribute to a sense of belonging. By highlighting stories of underrepresented people, particularly in the workforce, we create hope and validation for them. This work is deeply personal for me, as I continue my mother’s passion for equality. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my mother was an ardent supporter of Jackie Robinson, the first Black baseball player to break into Major League Baseball in 1947. My mother’s vision for a fair and diverse world continues to drive me today, and my work in journalism is my way of honoring that legacy.

Inclusive Actions Beyond Professional Life

Inclusivity is also something I carry into my personal life. My husband and I actively follow the NAACP’s Black Consumer Advisory and choose to spend our money at businesses that align with our values. Voting with our dollars is one of the most powerful tools we have, aside from our votes in the electoral system. Companies notice the bottom-line impact, and there’s a clear contrast between companies like Costco, which stood firm on DEI despite pressure from 19 state attorneys general, and Target, which capitulated. Costco's foot traffic is on the rise, while Target’s has significantly declined.

The Importance of Speaking Up

The most important advice I can give others about allyship and inclusion is to speak up. In this climate, where the government is using fear to silence voices, it’s crucial to stand firm. We must not comply with efforts to suppress marginalized communities. Our voices matter, and we must stand for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Speak up and don’t remain silent.

Being a Good Ally

To me, being a good ally means consistently standing with those who are being attacked by anti-DEI forces. I look to my BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friends, who are at the forefront of this battle, and I do everything I can to support them. My work is my way of standing up for them, professionally and personally. Impactivize has a diverse and inclusive advisory board, and I regularly consult with them to ensure I’m being the best ally I can be.

Evaluating the U.S. Corporate World’s DEI Efforts

While some corporations have rolled back their DEI initiatives, the truth is that most large corporations continue to value diversity, equity, and inclusion because they know that these practices contribute to business success. Impactivize reports on over 200 companies that have expressed their commitment to DEI (or similar initiatives). Shareholders at companies like Costco, Visa, Apple, John Deere, and Disney have voted overwhelmingly to retain DEI programs. I recently reported that Levi Strauss’s Board of Directors urged shareholders to reject an anti-DEI proposal at their annual meeting. Corporate leaders recognise that DEI is not just good for people, but also for business, and most of them will not back down, even if some do. It remains to be seen how these efforts will play out in the judicial system.

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