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CEO Evaluation Tool

A Pathway to Equity and Inclusion

Introduction:

At the Green Leadership Trust, we are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the environmental sector. Our vision is shaped by the understanding that the diversity of America has never been more central to sustaining democracy and creating relevant policy-making than it is today.
In a year where our political future is significantly influenced by the politics of race, ethnicity, immigration, and inequality, we recognize that the environmental movement must rise to the occasion. It is time to find ways of representing the hopes and aspirations of our traditional and diverse electoral base. It’s time for a commitment to equity.

Why the CEO Evaluation Tool Matters:

The CEO Evaluation Tool is a critical element of our mission to foster equity and inclusion within environmental organizations. Our vision was born out of the realization that there weren’t sufficient resources for boards or their executive staff to measure success against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) benchmarks. We customized this resource and are now sharing it with the environmental sector to strengthen the movement’s commitment to diversity.

Performance Evaluation Principles:
  • Performance Matters: We believe in the power of results to reflect our values, drive the outcomes we seek, and foster transparency, learning, and modeling of what’s important.
  • Metrics at the Top: CEO and board performance metrics are essential indicators of an organization’s most important outcomes and must be central to evaluations.
  • Quality AND Quantity: High performance is a combination of quantitative and qualitative dimensions. It ensures that activities remain innovative and focused on the ultimate goal.
  • Internal AND External: Metrics encompass both internal DEI performance and external success driven by these principles.
  • We Speak for Ourselves: While our members have deep roots in communities of color and environmental justice, this document complements the need to gather feedback and listen to your own constituencies of color and those most impacted by your equity programs.
 
Performance Evaluation Metrics:

We offer specific metrics within four subsections to capture your organization’s equity processes and progress. These metrics are intended to provide reference points and benchmarks for your evaluations and standards created by your own board members.

  • Process Metrics: These metrics focus on the mechanics of your equity programming and the processes for implementation. They must be measured and accounted for.
  • Internal Metrics: These metrics evaluate staff policies, paths to leadership, hiring processes, and the current leadership culture. They shed light on the internal health of equity and inclusion within your organization.
  • External Metrics: Understanding how your organization interacts with and impacts Indigenous communities and communities of color is a highly visible and effective means for progress on equity and inclusion.
  • 2020 Context Measures: This year is a critical opportunity to prioritize equity and inclusion. We highlight actions and activities essential for CEO evaluation in 2020.
Harness the Power of the CEO Evaluation Tool:

Our CEO Evaluation Tool is a valuable resource to guide your organization in embracing equity and inclusion. It empowers leaders to evaluate and improve their performance with the principles of diversity and justice at its core.

Learn more

We invite you to explore this tool, and for more information, please reach out to us. Together, we can build a more equitable and inclusive future within the environmental sector.