In an era where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become pillars of the modern corporate order, management consulting firms have emerged as catalysts for transformation. Leading the charge are top DEI consulting firms like MBB, Spencer Stuart, and PwC, that leverage proprietary technology, industry research, and innovative strategies to forge a path for sustainable and inclusive business practices. From the Nova Collective's bespoke learning experiences co-founded by BIPOC women, to Korn Ferry's four decades of DEI expertise—each of these 10 firms bring with it a unique blend of insight, action, and experiences. These consulting firms don't just talk about change, they have proven themselves to be change-makers, ensuring DEI is embedded into every level of an organization, establishing an ambitious yet long-lasting pathway for others to follow. Read about the Top 10 US DEI Consulting firms below!
Top 10 US DEI Consulting Firms List
McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & Company has an extensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practice. The firm uses proprietary tools to measure D&I, industry research, works closely with employee resource groups, and builds transformative strategies to attract and retain diverse talent. Their specific functions include:
Transformational Change: McKinsey delivers multi-year diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that offer a portfolio of initiatives to track and implement DEI programming.
Capabilities and Behavioral Shifting: Designs DEI programming at all levels of the organization to ensure skills development across the company=
Target-setting and Baseline: Support client in establishing ambitious yet achievable DEI metrics and roadmaps
Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is committed to helping clients build equitable and inclusive businesses for the future by focusing on the customer's journey, DEI in product development, and supply chain—all of which are used for long-lasting community impact. Their specific services include:
- Supplier Diversity
- Gender Equality
- Inclusive Product Design
- Racial Equity
- D&I Measurement
- Organizational Leadership / People Strategy
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Deloitte
Deloitte is committed to making a long-lasting impact through collective action. Their annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) transparency report highlights their people-driven DEI initiatives, their approach to advancing equity in the workforce, data insights from the intersections of identity, and international DEI efforts. Deloitte's approach includes using inclusive leadership behaviors across all levels of the company. These include:
- Commitment
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Collaboration
- Cultural Intelligence
- Cognizance of Bias
The Nova Collective
The Nova Collective is a human resource and DEI consulting firm that was co-founded by BIPOC women committed to radically evolving organizational culture. The firm supports leaders and organizations in building and attaining an equitable future. In achieving this, Nova does not believe in the one size fits all approach. Rather, their philosophy is to offer customized DEI and supplier diversity learning experiences so all recommendations are tailored not just to the industry but specifically to the client.
Bain & Company
Bain & Company has committed itself to a holistic, leader-led, and data-driven approach to DEI that is grounded in real experiences. They have helped clients measure employees shifting behaviors, propagate change on the leadership level, and develop roadmaps for reaching near- and medium-term priorities. Their comprehensive approach spans across business functions from leadership and management to supplier diversity and recruitment. Some of their functions include:
- DEI Strategy
- DEI Talent and Culture
- Leadership & Talent
- Change Management and Implementation
- Procurement
- Post-Merger Integration
- Sales and Marketing
Ernst & Young (EY)
Ernst & Young (EY) was awarded Global Equality Standard (GES) recognition. GES is one of the world's first DEI certifications and empowers employers to assess the extent to which DEI is embedded throughout an organization. GES is an outstanding demonstration of EY's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in and outside of their workplace environment. Additional honors include being recognized by the World Economic Forum's Global Parity Alliance as a leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. With the development of the EY Inclusiveness Advisory Council (IAC), influential leaders representing each function, region, and service line work collectively to ensure D&I remains a key pillar of their business strategy.
Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that was founded in 1969 by Lester B. Korn and Richard M. Ferry. The firm works closely with organizations to "transform the behavior and mindset of teams, individuals, and leaders". With 40 years of extensive DEI expertise and global benchmark , Korn Ferry is committed to reshaping talent processes from the top-down. Their DEI approach includes:
- Building a plan of action based on where they are now
- Assessing and developing inclusive leaders
- Helping everyone develop inclusive behaviors
- Building fair and equitable talent management processes
- Building inclusive organizations that last
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PwC's Global Diversity & Inclusion Survey is one of many PwC initiatives aimed at supporting and evaluating organization's commitments to DEI programming. PwC's D&I Transparency Report highlights how the firm has made strides in supporting organizations in their disengaged workforce, lack of vision, measuring DEI outcomes, internal and external regulatory pressures, and lack of opportunities for underserved communities. To execute this they leverage the following models:
- Global D&I Maturity Model
- ESG Pulse
- Saratoga Benchmarking Database
- Bias Analyzer
- Solving for X
Mercer
Mercer's inclusion and diversity priorities include the diversity of their workforce reflecting the communities they live and function in, developing visible allies and sponsors for BIPOC colleagues, and delivering equitable learning and development for all. The firm has experience mitigating bias in compensation and promotion, offering learning sessions pertaining to unconscious bias, and implementing multi year goals to increase BIPOC representation in critical roles. Mercer also offers a wide array of Business Resource Groups (BRG's) to help with this mission that include:
- Women @ Mercer
- Racial and Ethnic Diversity
- Pride
- Rising Professionals
- AccessABILITIES@Merrcer
- Mercer Cares: Helping People Beyond Our Business
Spencer Stuart
Spencer Stuart has garnered global attention through helping companies build diverse and dynamic leadership teams. Quantitatively, they place 1,000 diverse candidates into senior executive roles and more than 300 in board director roles every year. They placed 15 of Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women into executive or corporate board positions. The firm has a global commitment to creating a culture that celebrates diversity through organizational leadership.
Conclusion
All in all, these consulting firms have proven themselves to be agents of change in and outside of client engagements. From the workforce pipeline programs they administer to diversify incoming talent to the advanced technologies used to support clients in meeting and developing DEI targets, these top 10 DEI consulting firms have been instrumental stakeholders in diversifying institutions across Corporate America… and the world.