The boardroom voice is growing for women and people of color. 

Diverse board members and, importantly, dual diverse leaders who now serve as board members have an opportunity that was never at the forefront of business in the past. Companies have finally acknowledged the need for and have committed to the cultivation of diverse leaders within their ranks, and as independent directors on their boards. Diverse leaders should be representative of the population each enterprise reaches, particularly in the United States.
 
 Since the beginning of corporate formations, women, people of color and those from other underrepresented populations never had a voice, let alone wielded any power. Now they serve as a mirror and have their voices heard by blazing a direct path to their own respective communities while sitting on boards.
 
This is a profound business shift and serves to level the playing field for all diverse populations. 

DeeDee DeMan is founder, chairman and CEO of Bench International, the world’s oldest global and certified woman-owned retained executive search firm serving the life sciences.