By Cardozie Jones Founder and CEO, True North: Center for Organizational Health
In a recent webinar, we discussed the urgency for equity in the workplace and how, in the last year, it has collided with exhaustion, confusion, and political backlash. For many organizations, what once felt like a clear path toward “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) now feels uncertain or even risky. Some are retreating. Others are quietly rebranding. But at True North, we’ve taken a different approach: expanding the lens altogether.
We believe organizational health offers a powerful and practical framework—one that builds on the foundations of DEI while inviting broader participation, deeper self-reflection, and a more sustainable approach to change.
The Landscape Has Shifted
The way we work is evolving fast—how we work, where we work, and what we’re working for.
Employees are no longer motivated by titles or tenure alone. They’re asking harder questions about values, culture, well-being, and trust. Meanwhile, the political landscape is making it harder—not easier—for organizations to use equity-based language without fear of criticism.
It’s clear: organizations need a new footing. Not by abandoning DEI, but by rooting it in something larger.