Diversity is increasing among senior and executive management roles within the real estate investment management industry, albeit from a low base, according to the 2021 NAREIM Diversity & Inclusion Survey. And the survey found widespread agreement that the issue of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) deserved increased attention.
Some 96 percent of respondents to the NAREIM survey, conducted in partnership with executive recruitment firm Ferguson Partners, said their organization had a DEI program or initiatives to improve DEI within their organization. In addition, 71 percent of participants had staff dedicated to their DEI approach, up from only 37 percent five years ago.
It remains to be seen whether the increased attention on diversity will translate to more diverse staffs, but the industry appears to at least be moving in that direction.
