DEI Incentives Bring $5 Million to CEOs, Majority White Men, Data Shows

While debates over diversity policies in corporate America intensify, new data shows that white male CEOs have been among the biggest financial beneficiaries of these initiatives. 

Farient Advisors, a compensation consulting firm, reports that 28 CEOs received diversity-linked bonuses last year, with white men making up the majority of recipients. 

Collectively, these executives earned nearly $5 million for achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

Top CEOs See Six-Figure Diversity Payouts

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom topped the list with a $520,000 bonus tied to the airline’s DEI targets. 

He was followed closely by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski, who earned $396,300 for similar efforts, while executives from Coca-Cola and Alcoa also saw substantial bonuses. 

Farient’s analysis of companies in the S&P 1500 index reveals that DEI-linked incentives have become a common practice, with some corporations paying out over $50,000 to executives for meeting diversity goals.

Companies Rethink DEI Bonuses as Pushback Grows

These payouts come amid a backlash against DEI initiatives, with critics claiming such policies discriminate against white men. 

Farient’s analysis showed two white female CEOs, Nasdaq’s Adena Friedman and nVent Electric’s Beth Wozniak, also received DEI bonuses of $375,000 and $79,000, respectively, as well as Asian, Hispanic, and Black male executives who similarly benefited. 

Farient’s Brian Bueno notes that some firms are already moving away from DEI-linked bonuses, and he expects this trend to grow as pressure from conservative groups escalates.

Feature Image Credit: Getty Images