At its annual meeting on February 26, 2025, Deere & Co. shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal aimed at curbing the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The resolution, introduced by the conservative National Legal and Policy Center, sought a report on racial and gender hiring statistics to verify non-discriminatory practices. However, only 1.3% of votes cast supported the measure, reflecting strong investor endorsement of DEI efforts(Reuters).
This decisive vote aligns with recent trends where shareholders have opposed anti-DEI proposals. Notably, investors at Apple and Costco also voted overwhelmingly in favor of maintaining their companies’ DEI policies in recent meetings.
Despite political pressures to scale back DEI programs, many investors and executives recognize the value of such initiatives in addressing underrepresentation in management roles. Deere’s board had recommended voting against the proposal, emphasizing the company’s commitment to a diverse workforce as essential to long-term success.
