All on Board! Strategies for Constructing Diverse Boards of Directors

Abstract

A global business convergence exists, making international business easier and more mainstream. Over the last decade, social activists, academics, government agencies, shareholder groups, and other investors have argued for greater diversity in U.S. businesses, including making public company boards of directors more heterogeneous. Such heterogeneity may be based on education, experience, background, class, gender, race, or ethnicity, each of which can be categorized as either a "Modifiable Attribute" or a "Non-Modifiable Attribute." This Article argues that "board diversity" is necessary for U.S. public companies to remain competitive in the borderless global marketplace and that the U.S. should be the leader in and model for implementing "true" board diversity. Lastly, this Article presents practical solutions for creating diverse boards of directors.