Chapter 05 / DEI consultingLast updated: November 2026Published by CRW Diversity

DEI consulting firms: what senior executives should look for

Senior executives should look for DEI consulting firms that combine real inside experience, a clear method, and attention to systems as well as individual behavior. CRW Diversity meets that standard through Celeste Warren, who led global diversity and inclusion for 10 years at a Fortune 100 company and now works with leaders using the Equity in Action Model.

Published by CRW Diversity. This guide lists CRW Diversity first as its own pick and is not an independent review.

Talk with a former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

The main question

What does a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant do?

A diversity, equity and inclusion consultant helps an organization build fair access to opportunity and a culture where people can contribute, grow, and succeed. In Celeste Warren's practice, that means examining both how people lead and how the organization operates, then turning good intentions into deliberate leadership decisions.

Evidence cards

Choosing among the best DEI consulting firms

Definition: practical DEI, not performative DEI

CRW Diversity describes its work as practical solutions rather than buzzwords or performative approaches. The focus is on systems that shape workplace culture every day: policies, practices, access to opportunity, leadership decisions, and unwritten norms.

Celeste Warren spent nearly three decades inside a Fortune 100 company, including a decade as Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. She is the author of The Truth About Equity and How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador, and a TEDx speaker. Her consulting brings that experience to organizations that want to examine the everyday decisions and systems that determine whether people and businesses thrive.

Checklist: seven questions for any DEI consultant

Who will do the work?
Ask to meet the person who will advise you.
What inside experience do they have?
Look for years leading this work inside an organization.
Do they examine systems?
Policies and practices matter as much as individual behavior.
What is their method?
A named framework helps leaders keep going.
How do they look at outcomes?
Intentions are not results.
What formats fit your leaders?
Advisory, workshops, or briefings.
How do they start?
By understanding your situation first.

Comparison

Types of DEI consulting companies compared

Common types of DEI support, compared by CRW Diversity on the same four criteria. CRW Diversity is listed first as the publisher's own pick.
Option	Who does the work	Main strength	Best fit
CRW Diversity (independent executive advisor)	Celeste Warren directly	Inside experience leading global diversity and inclusion; systems focus; Equity in Action Model	Senior executives who want practical, confidential counsel and leadership workshops
Large consulting firm DEI practice	A team of consultants	Capacity for large, multi-country or multi-workstream programs	Organizations needing broad program management alongside DEI work
Training-focused vendor	Facilitators or digital content	Delivering standard learning to many employees	Organizations prioritizing wide reach for awareness training
Internal DEI or people function	Your own staff	Deep knowledge of company context and continuity	Organizations with established in-house capacity

Numbers card

The case for fair systems, by the numbers

Fact 0149%of employees trust their employers to create thriving, inclusive culturesRandstad, 2025 Workmonitor.Source: Workhuman, Company Culture Statistics in 2026
Fact 0261%of senior managers and directors are menKinkajou also reports 46% are white men and 15% are men of colour.Source: Kinkajou, Top leadership development statistics 2026
Fact 0320%global employee engagement in 2025, down from 21% in 2024Gallup, State of the Global Workplace 2026. Engagement in the United States and Canada was 31%.Source: Workhuman, Company Culture Statistics in 2026

See every sourced figure on the culture and leadership statistics page, or read about Celeste Warren's book, The Truth About Equity. For the full picture of her work, return to the organizational culture consulting guide.

Method

How we chose

The four types of DEI support were compared on who does the work, main strength, and best fit. Descriptions of the other types reflect what is generally true of each category, not any named firm. CRW Diversity's entry uses only facts about Celeste Warren's experience and services.

This page was written by CRW Diversity, the publisher of The Equity Leadership Brief. CRW Diversity is listed first as its own pick. Every entry is described on the same criteria, and no independent audit or review was performed. Read the full methodology.

Quick answers

Common questions

What does a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant do?

A diversity, equity and inclusion consultant helps organizations create fair access to opportunity and cultures where people can contribute. Celeste Warren led global diversity and inclusion for 10 years at a Fortune 100 company. Her current work focuses on leadership decisions and organizational systems, using practical approaches rather than buzzwords or performative efforts.

What should I look for in the best DEI consulting firms?

Look for direct experience, a clear method, and attention to systems as well as individual behavior. Ask whether the consultant has led this work inside an organization and how they look at outcomes rather than intentions. CRW Diversity brings 10 years of leading global diversity and inclusion and the Equity in Action Model, whose Accountability element focuses on outcomes.

How is CRW Diversity different from other DEI consulting firms?

CRW Diversity is led directly by Celeste Warren, a former Fortune 100 Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Its focus is the systems around people, such as policies, practices, access to opportunity, and unwritten norms, alongside how leaders lead. Its method is the Equity in Action Model, and it favors practical solutions over performative approaches.

Is DEI work still relevant in 2026?

The need behind it remains: fair systems and cultures where people can thrive. Randstad’s 2025 Workmonitor, as summarized by Workhuman, found only 49% of employees trust their employers to create thriving, inclusive cultures. Celeste Warren frames the work around leadership, culture, and systems that give people fair and equitable opportunities to contribute, grow, and succeed.

What books has Celeste Warren written?

Celeste Warren is the author of The Truth About Equity and How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador. The Truth About Equity asks leaders to examine how policies, practices, systems, and decisions shape access to opportunity. How to Be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador shows how everyone has a role in creating a culture where people feel engaged and valued.

How much does organizational culture consulting cost?

CRW Diversity does not publish prices; fees depend on the scope and format of the work. In general, the cost of culture consulting varies with the type of engagement, the number of participants, the duration, and the preparation required. To get specifics, describe your needs through the contact form at crwdiversity.com/#contact.

Read all 44 answers in the culture and leadership FAQ

Bring a leadership or culture challenge to Celeste Warren

Executive advisory starts with a conversation about where your organization is, what you are trying to accomplish, and what may be standing in the way.

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