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Thought Leadership: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is as Important as Ever

Posted by admincarolyn on Feb. 26, 2025  /  Thought Leadership  /  Subscribe 0

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has emerged as a key matter. Ray Day, APR, chair of PRSA has provided guidance on PRSA’s position on DEI to members and PRSSA students. Ray says DEI is who we are, and it is core to the values of PRSA.

Ray reaffirms what PRSA has known to be true since inception, “DEI is not a passing trend—it is fundamental to the future of public relations, business and society.”

An observation by a trusted organizational development consultancy (Dilan Consulting Group) is that DEI is not dead, but is evolving and guided by organizational psychology and change management, while Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry, observes that “Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is a behavior…leading many, while at the same time understanding the perspectives of all.”

PRSA Las Vegas echoes these sentiments and remains firm in our commitment to DEI and serving as a local resource for best practices and insights to help professionals navigate the evolving landscape.  

PRSA Las Vegas Past President, Clark Dumont, APR, Fellow PRSA, offers these insights: 

• Link to Business Needs and Success: In his breakthrough book “Start With Why?,” Simon Sinek chronicled that success is linked to purpose. In a town built on hospitality, tourism and entertainment, we know that “requisite diversity” (“Excellent Public Relations and Effective Organizations” Grunig, Grunig and Dozier) of employees to reflect the diversity of guests, is an essential element of the successful guest experience for which Las Vegas is renowned.

• 1+1=5: The inclusion of colleagues with diverse experiences is akin to alchemy, where metals and minerals mixed together result in the sum of the parts being greater than the proverbial whole.

• The Fungibility of Reputation and Goodwill: Organizations that are responsible in what they do, and how they do it, earn a trust dividend with tangible yields in attracting and retaining employees, customer loyalty and the goodwill of the community that provides it with the resources to successfully operate. 

• We Built This City: Our profession formally marks this year a half-century of collective service to one of the most innovative, vibrant and resilient communities. We are built on diversity, and best practices and best athletes.  We are strong  

If you have not already, we encourage you to check out PRSA’s Diverse Dialogues, a series of conversations with leaders in the profession about Diversity and Inclusion and the way forward.

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