Global private capital investment firm The Carlyle Group announced the establishment of the Carlyle DEI Leadership Network, consisting of CEOs from the firm’s portfolio companies, aimed at accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies and goals across its global portfolio.

Key activities and components of the network will include annual meetings with the CEOs to hear experts, share successes and challenges, and engage with leaders across sectors, a quarterly expert DEI speaker series, the establishment of communication channels for leaders to exchange and discuss ideas on DEI issues, and providing access to resources and tools supporting actionable DEI initiatives within companies. The network’s first meeting was on March 24.

Kara Helander, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Carlyle, said:

“We are thrilled to host the first annual meeting for our DEI Leadership Network, gathering leaders within the Carlyle community who are eager to advance DEI. Our aim is to leverage our collective strength to keep ourselves and our portfolio companies accountable to foster inclusive, equitable and diverse teams that in turn make better decisions.”

Advancing diversity in its portfolio is one of Carlyle’s key ESG goals. The formation of the new CEO network follows Carlyle’s signing last year of two sustainability-linked credit facilities, totaling over $6 billion, with terms tied to the firm’s goal of having 30% diverse directors on the boards of its controlled companies within two years of ownership.

Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee said:

“We believe DEI plays a critical role in propelling performance. We developed this network to ensure management teams have the tools and resources they need to drive meaningful change within their companies and the communities they touch. We look forward to collaborating with the DEI Leadership Network to ensure management teams are equipped to lead and inspire as they drive focused progress across their organizations.”

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