Deckers Brands Announces Recipients of Annual $500,000 DEI Donation and Celebrates Progress Towards Its DEI Goals

Deckers Brands proudly announces the recipients of their annual $500,000 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) donation, which focuses on organizations advancing social and racial justice. The following organizations will receive $50,000 each: Mission Scholars (through the Santa Barbara Education Foundation), The Loveland Foundation, Innocence Project, Inc., NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., California Family Life Center, Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), Born This Way Foundation, and The Arc of the United States.

Deckers also reports on their DEI targets as outlined in its FY21 Corporate Responsibility Report and progress towards ensuring a more diverse and inclusive environment. In FY22, 44% of all new corporate hires in the U.S. were from Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. The number of BIPOC leaders in the U.S. at the Director level and above increased from 15% to 21% year over year (with a goal of 25% representation by 2027).

“The progress that we have made towards our DEI targets in the last year is phenomenal, thanks to the engagement of leadership and the entire organization,” says Daalia Refaat, senior director of DEI and senior counsel at Deckers. “What I am most proud of is the way employees embrace all aspects of each other’s unique identities, allowing each person to come as they are and bring their true, authentic selves to work. We will always have room to grow, but we are making progress towards equity and belonging for all.”

In FY22, Deckers focused on empowering their people and culture, measuring their progress, and doing good in their communities. Their “A Year in 60 Seconds” highlights DEI initiatives from the past year, including a Deckers Scholarship Program for students at historically Black colleges and universities, the company’s annual Women’s Leadership Summit, ongoing employee engagement and cultural awareness events powered by Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and frequent guest speakers on DEI topics such as disability inclusion and cultural humility.

“It’s been a full year, and we have so much more ahead of us! I’m so proud of our entire organization for leaning into our DEI efforts with such enthusiasm.” says Refaat.

Watch this 60 second video to learn more about Deckers’ DEI efforts in the last year.