Headline: Changing DEI to 'Belonging' Still Falls Short, Says Marriott CEO
Marriott CEO Affirms Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Sparks 40,000 Emails of Response
In a bold move, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano openly discussed their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) during a summit last week. The hotel mogul shared his thoughts on the cultural and workplace shifts currently happening within the industry, as well as his surprising encounter with a wave of support from colleagues.
During the summit, Capuano delved into the deep thoughts his team had about DEI–not only their philosophical views, but also the words and language they use. This conversation with the board of directors came shortly after President Trump implemented executive orders designed to eliminate DEI offices across federal agencies.
In addition to these executive orders, Trump also signed two related orders in January, one of which ended discrimination in the workplace and higher education under the guise of DEI. The other was a memo addressing a policy prioritizing DEI hiring at the Federal Aviation Administration.
The ripple effect caused several US-based brands and companies, like Amazon, Meta, McDonald's, Boeing, Ford, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Lowe's, Nissan, Toyota, Walmart, and others, to reconsider their DEI policies.
Capuano, however, was not deterred by the political winds and emphasized that Marriott stands by their values–welcoming all and creating opportunities for all. Despite a brief moment of self-doubt, Capuano was met with an overwhelming influx of supportive emails from coworkers around the world.
Separating Facts from Fiction: A Look into DEI Exec Orders
Since the executive orders signed by President Trump in January 2025, drastic changes have taken place in the realm of DEI, particularly within federal agencies and businesses that contract with the government.
Background on the Executive Orders and their Impact on DEI:
- Executive Order 14173, signed January 21, 2025, aimed to "End Illegal Discrimination and Restore Merit-Based Opportunity." It terminated previous orders promoting DEI in hiring, education, and grant funding.
- The order dismantled federal agencies' DEI programs, labeling them as wasteful, immoral, and shameful. It revoked Executive Order 11246, a long-standing mandate requiring non-discriminatory hiring for government contractors.
- Federal agencies shut down DEI programs and placed staff on leave. Federal contractors must now certify they do not use gender- or race-based training programs, and nonprofits seeking federal grants must align their programs with merit-based principles, rather than prioritizing specific demographic groups.
The engines of change: Companies reassessing their DEI actions
Many businesses and organizations with DEI programs are reassessing their training materials and policies to comply with the new federal mandates. Employers are auditing their hiring and HR practices to avoid favoritism that might lead to violations of the executive orders.
While specific company names remain elusive, legal consultants are being engaged to identify risks associated with continuing DEI initiatives that conflict with the new regulations. The exec orders have set off a widespread rollback of DEI programs within federal agencies and among federal contractors, compelling organizations to scale back or revise their DEI efforts to maintain legal compliance and avoid federal contract termination.
Thus, the effects of the executive orders trickle down from federal agencies to companies nationwide, necessitating thorough reviews of DEI policies and strategies.
- In response to the executive orders issued by President Trump in 2025, Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano underscored their commitment to maintaining diverse and inclusive workplaces, despite the changes in federal policies.
- The new executive orders have prompted many companies, including Marriott, to reassess their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices, aiming to comply with the updated regulations without sacrificing their business values.
- As a result of these executive orders and their impact on federal agencies and businesses, the finance sector is observing close scrutiny of company investments and funding decisions, especially with regard to companies that show commitment to diversity and inclusion.
