A typical DEI governance structure includes which elements?

• A. Chief Diversity Officer; DEI Steering Council; cross-functional DEI working groups; HR/Legal alignment.
• B. Only a CEO with no dedicated DEI roles.
• C. A Finance committee handling all DEI.
• D. External consultants without internal roles.

Answer: (A)

A solid DEI governance structure is built to ensure accountability, strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and policy alignment across the organization. The best answer brings together a Chief Diversity Officer who owns and guides the DEI strategy, a DEI Steering Council to provide leadership oversight and cross‑functional coordination, cross‑functional DEI working groups to execute initiatives in various parts of the business, and alignment with HR and Legal to embed DEI into people processes and ensure compliance. This combination ensures there is clear ownership, ongoing governance, practical execution across departments, and policies and risk management that support sustainable progress.

When leadership relies only on a CEO with no dedicated roles, there’s often a lack of focused accountability and long‑term strategy for DEI. A Finance committee is not equipped to handle people, culture, and inclusion initiatives. External consultants can provide expertise, but without internal roles and processes, there’s limited integration and lasting impact inside the organization.