99% of Levi’s Shareholders Vote to Stand Resolute on DEI
So far, 2025 has been the year of DEI.
Since US President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, many companies across the US (as well as many elsewhere in the world) have started to reconsider their policies on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Levi’s, the world-famous fashion brand, is one of the companies that was slated for an evaluation of its approach to DEI, guided by its shareholders.
That shareholder meeting happened on 23 April 2025 and the results are in – less than 1% of Levi's shareholders supported a proposal to abolish the company's DEI programme.
The proposal was submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a conservative think tank that has targeted corporate DEI initiatives.
The organisation formally asked shareholders to "consider abolishing its DEI program, policies, department and goals" at the company's annual meeting.
Levi's board had advised shareholders to vote against the proposal, citing "the strong business case for a diverse and inclusive workforce".
The overwhelming rejection of the anti-DEI proposal comes amid heightened political debate around corporate diversity initiatives in the US.
Levi’s leadership remains committed
Michelle Gass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Levi's, had previously expressed unwavering support for the company's inclusivity efforts.
"We've been committed to diversity and inclusion for literally decades, and it's the core to who we are. So our commitment remains unchanged.
“We will do what's right for our people, for our business. And at the end of the day, building a diverse and inclusive workplace helps us deliver stronger results," Michelle says.
David Jedrzejek, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, confirmed during the virtual annual meeting that Levi's does not use quotas or discriminatory policies in its recruitment or promotions processes.
This clarification addressed one of the key criticisms often levelled against corporate DEI programmes.
Behind the pushback from conservative activists
Conservative activists—especially those from the NCPPR—have vociferously criticised the DEI programmes that have found a home in American business in recent years.
Stefan Padfield, Executive Director of the National Center's Free Enterprise Project, argued that DEI programmes risk illegal discrimination.
"Rather than promote unity, DEI programs can set the very individuals they claim to be helping up for failure and stigma," he said during the meeting.
He further suggested that corporations should focus on "raising the floor for all Americans" rather than what he characterised as division based on race and gender.
"Imagine what corporations could accomplish if they stop dividing us on the basis of race and sex and instead focused on raising the floor for all Americans in areas such as education, which are at the root of the pipeline problems driving our demographic inequalities," Stefan said.
The broader context of DEI in the US
DEI initiatives gained widespread corporate support following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the subsequent rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
However, the political climate has shifted significantly with the recent US presidential election results.
The conservative proposal noted that several major technology companies including "Alphabet and Meta cut DEI staff and DEI-related investments; and Microsoft and Zoom laid off their entire DEI teams."
Despite these industry trends, Levi's shareholders have demonstrated strong support for maintaining the company's diversity commitments.
We've been committed to diversity and inclusion for literally decades, and it's the core to who we are. So our commitment remains unchanged.
Reaction across the political spectrum
Anticipating defeat, the NCPPR attempted to reframe the narrative around the vote.
"The majority of votes are controlled by institutions and individuals who are subject to conflicts of interest," Stefan said, suggesting that asset managers with ESG-focused funds were influenced by factors beyond shareholder value.
He also went so far as to suggest that "the proper headline should perhaps read something like, 'No Trustworthy Shareholders Voted for DEI.'"
This claim could not be substantiated, according to reporting on the meeting.
Levi Strauss & Co. has a history of taking progressive stances on social issues, having previously supported same-sex marriage, spoken out on gun violence and instituted paid family leave.
The company's shareholders appear to remain firmly aligned with this tradition of social responsibility.
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