What could be harder than managing the diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives for the NAIC's staff? Evelyn Boswell was hired as the first chief diversity officer at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in September 2020.

In this role she has led the organisation's work to better its DE&I practices across the 50 states in the US.

Between 2020 and 2023, Boswell put into place the NAIC's DE&I strategic plan, building a framework focused on the NAIC's workforce, workplace, initiatives of the members, and community outreach objectives.

Through that Boswell developed a goal for the NAIC workforce to receive DE&I certification training and the resources they need to progress in the subject. The member diversity leadership forum was created to provide an interactive thinking space for insurance regulators and serve as an introduction to DE&I online. She also helped to develop the "Foundations of DE&I for Regulators" course taken by NAIC members.

The NAIC released its first DE&I report in 2021 and the DE&I department has produced three annual conferences specifically devoted to DE&I, as well as becoming heavily involved in the NAIC's national meetings. NAIC staff and members are also now offered monthly programmes providing an opportunity to sharpen their cultural competency and hear from speakers on the subject.

"The NAIC has framed its strategy to support the workplace, workforce, our members, and the community," says Boswell. "With these pillars as a North Star, we have invested in all four pillars and increased engagement, expanded applicant pipelines, and promoted more people of colour into leadership positions."