by Leesa Hill – Partner, Head of DEIB
Every year, Women’s History Month invites us to honor the trailblazers who have shaped our world through education, mentorship, and leadership. In 2025, the theme “Moving Forward Together” calls on us to celebrate women who dedicate their lives to educating and inspiring generations—women like Malala Yousafzai, Dr. Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gloria Steinem, and the Women of Iceland.
Yet, as I reflect on this theme, I find myself sitting in a place of exhaustion. A conversation with my sister-in-law recently introduced me to the term “battle fatigue.” Her mother’s therapist used it to describe what she was going through—and it struck me deeply. Because in many ways, this is exactly how I feel about the state of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in today’s world.
At LEAD3R, our latest research underscores a difficult reality: DEIB efforts are at a crossroads. Companies are scaling back, employees are disillusioned, and the work has too often been reduced to vanity metrics instead of meaningful change. Many leaders express frustration, caught between political resistance and a struggle to align DEIB with business priorities. And if I’m being honest? It’s exhausting.
As someone who has dedicated their career to advancing DEIB, I know what it feels like to be tired of the fight. I spend too much time feeling stuck—questioning whether progress is slipping away. But then, I think about the suffragists, the civil rights activists, and the women who refused to back down in the face of resistance. How did they keep moving forward? How did they rise up?
Women throughout history have navigated unimaginable challenges while continuing to teach, mentor, and lead. They didn’t do it alone. They moved forward together.
Malala risked her life to ensure girls could go to school. Dr. Maya Angelou used her voice to educate generations on resilience and justice. Ruth Bader Ginsburg reshaped laws to uplift women’s rights. Each of these women understood that real change isn’t just about pushing through fatigue—it’s about finding strength in community.
If there’s one takeaway from LEAD3R’s research, it’s that the DEIB movement isn’t failing—it needs a reset. The companies that are thriving in this work aren’t just checking boxes; they’re embedding inclusion into their leadership, their teams, and their culture. They are moving past performative gestures and into sustainable action.
This isn’t a moment to retreat—it’s a moment to recommit.
So, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I challenge all of us—leaders, mentors, educators, and advocates—to take inspiration from the women who came before us. Let’s redefine progress, focus on impact, and build workplaces where people don’t just “belong” but thrive. And let’s do it together.
Because moving forward alone is exhausting.
But moving forward together? That’s how we change the world.
