1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

DEI is good for business and our economy. I stand with the following companies that understand that and will prioritize spending with companies who share their values. “Costco has refused to back down from its DEI policies. The company’s board of directors unanimously recommended shareholders vote against a proposal brought by a conservative think tank, the National Center for Public Policy Research, that would require Costco to reevaluate its DEI policies. The board said it “believes that our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary.” Apple’s board similarly urged shareholders to reject a proposal raised by the same think tank, accusing the group of “inappropriately” attempting to “restrict Apple's ability to manage its own ordinary business operations.” Delta Airlines also said it remains committed to DEI on a Jan. 10 earnings call. Peter Carter, the company’s executive vice president for external affairs, told a reporter the company is not reevaluating DEI or sustainability policies because “they are actually critical to our business,” stating DEI is “about talent and that's been our focus.” Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins told Axios “a diverse workforce is better” because “there’s too much business value.” Robbins said the DEI backlash is being treated as a “single issue” when it is really “made up of 150 different things, and maybe seven of them got a little out of hand,” but those few things are “going to get solved and then you're going to be left with common sense.”