Diversity in Sustainability

What Diversity in Sustainability does

Diversity in Sustainability (DiS) is a Toronto-based non-profit organization founded in 2020 by Heather Mak, Marie Jurcevic, and Michael Harvey to address the underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in the sustainability profession. The organization operates as a network and community platform serving BIPOC sustainability professionals and allies primarily across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

DiS's product portfolio combines a free community layer with paid services and original research. The free DiS Google Group listserv hosts 2,500+ members and distributes a bi-monthly opportunities roundup featuring approximately 150 curated job and grant postings. DiS Circle is a paid membership platform (built on the Circle community-platform product with Slack-based data infrastructure) priced from $15 CAD/month or $100 CAD/year, offering deeper engagement, career development, and networking. Additional free assets include a public BIPOC/BAME Speaker/Expert/Business Database and a suite of original research publications — including the State of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sustainability Survey (1,500 responses, 2021), Centring Latinidad in Sustainability (2023), Preparing Future Generations (2024), Building Touchpoints for Equity in Sustainability Higher Education (2024), and The Courage to Lead (2026).

The organization is volunteer-staffed by seven individuals (including the three co-founders, who hold full-time roles elsewhere) supported by a 14-member Advisory Panel. DiS is funded through DiS Circle subscriptions, individual donations (PayPal, Interac, Stripe, bank transfer), and corporate/organizational sponsorships. It is not a registered charity and cannot issue tax receipts, a constraint the organization has flagged as a future consideration for establishing a charitable arm. Distribution is exclusively digital and self-serve via the Squarespace-hosted website and the Circle membership platform, with growth driven by organic social media, earned media, podcast appearances, and cross-promotion through a network of 40+ partner organizations including Acre, BSR, AASHE, GreenPAC, Hispanic Access Foundation, and Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness.

Name

Diversity in Sustainability

Legal name

Diversity in Sustainability Association Inc.

Website

https://diversityinsustainability.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Diversity in Sustainability is a Toronto-based non-profit network founded in 2020 that supports BIPOC sustainability professionals and allies across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. via a free 2,500+ member listserv, a paid DiS Circle membership platform ($15 CAD/month), and original DEI research publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Professional Community & DEI Network

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAL

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAMABAJ

Enterprise & Workplace Communities

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Social Networks & Online Communities

Keywords

• Sustainability community network
• BIPOC professional development
• Diversity inclusion research
• Paid membership platform
• Sustainability career resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. DiS Circle Paid Membership: DiS Circle is a paid membership platform offering deeper engagement, career development, networking, and community features for BIPOC sustainability professionals and allies. Membership starts at $15 CAD/month or $100 CAD/year.
2. Donations and Sponsorship: The organization accepts donations via PayPal, Interac e-transfer, Stripe, and bank transfer. Sponsorship is available for general operations or specific offerings such as events or subsidized memberships/scholarships for underserved BIPOC community members. Diversity in Sustainability is a non-profit organization but is not a registered charity and cannot issue tax receipts.
3. DiS Google Group (Free Listserv): Free listserv for sharing job, grant, and other opportunities. The free community shares a bi-monthly opportunities roundup with curated job opportunities and is a pipeline for paid membership conversion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Operates a network for BIPOC and ally sustainability professionals offering a paid membership platform (DiS Circle), free community listserv (DiS Google Group), public BIPOC/BAME Speaker/Expert/Business Database, original research reports on equity in sustainability, and career-focused event programming. The organization connects current and future BIPOC sustainability leaders with skills, networks, and resources to advance inclusion in the sustainability field.

Product overview

Diversity in Sustainability operates as a network organization offering a portfolio of free and paid services focused on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sustainability field. The core offerings include: (1) DiS Circle, a paid membership platform ($15 CAD/month or $100 CAD/year) for deeper engagement; (2) DiS Google Group, a free community listserv serving 2,500+ members; (3) a BIPOC/BAME Speaker/Expert/Business Database public directory; and (4) a research publication program including reports such as The Courage to Lead, Preparing Future Generations, and surveys on DEI in sustainability. The organization also runs event programming including Career Series, Community Calls, Inclusion Blueprint Dialogues, and Livestream events. Funding comes from donations, sponsorships, and membership fees. A job board service was previously offered but is currently unavailable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DiS Circle: A dynamic membership platform for BIPOC sustainability professionals and allies offering deeper engagement, networking, and career development opportunities. Membership starts at $15 CAD/month or $100 CAD/year.
• BIPOC/BAME Speaker/Expert/Business Database
• DiS Google Group
• Inclusion Blueprint Dialogues

Products and services

• DiS Circle Paid membership platform for BIPOC sustainability professionals and allies providing deeper community engagement, career development, networking, and learning opportunities. Membership starts at $15 CAD/month or $100 CAD/year.
• BIPOC/BAME Speaker/Expert/Business Database Public directory service enabling conference organizers, media, and organizations to find BIPOC/BAME sustainability practitioners for speaking engagements, expert consultation, or business services.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2021Turtle Lodge issued a letter of support for DiS. Turtle Lodge is an Indigenous-led organization founded on 7 Sacred Laws, reconnecting people to the Earth and sharing Indigenous ancestral knowledge. DiS aims to uplift Indigenous voices and work in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
• AcrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcre is a market leader in sustainability and ESG recruitment. DiS partnered with Acre to conduct and distribute the inaugural State of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sustainability Survey, with Acre facilitating survey administration and DiS leading research and publication. Acre also co-hosted the survey preview webinar.
• EcobabesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiS hosted a session with 25 Ecobabes members over Zoom in October 2020 to introduce the organization, discuss the landscape of diversity in sustainability, and hold a panel discussion with women of colour sustainability practitioners.
• Hispanic Access FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS to share resources and cross-promote initiatives aligned with mutual objectives in supporting Latinx/Chicanx communities in sustainability.
• California BIPOC Climate NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on climate initiatives serving BIPOC communities in California.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.
• AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization supporting sustainability in higher education and collaborating with DiS on related initiatives.
• Humber Office of SustainabilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with DiS on the Inclusion Blueprint Dialogues report 'Building Touchpoints for Equity in Sustainability Higher Education' (October 2024), contributing guest speakers and institutional perspective.
• GreenPACminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on environmental and political engagement initiatives.
• South Asians for SustainabilityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on initiatives supporting South Asian sustainability practitioners.
• Black Environmentalist AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS to support Black professionals in the environmental and sustainability space.
• EnviroMuslimsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on environmental and sustainability initiatives within Muslim communities.
• BIPOC Sustainability CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on initiatives serving BIPOC sustainability professionals.
• Diverse Sustainability InitiativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS to advance diversity in the sustainability sector.
• Green Career CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on career development and green career resources.
• BuzzWordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS.
• Girls Club CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on initiatives supporting women and gender diversity in sustainability.
• Latino Conservation WeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on conservation and environmental initiatives serving Latino communities.
• Green Jobs NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS on green career and job opportunity resources.
• Creators CircleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS.
• ICRSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS.
• ACCPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner organization collaborating with DiS.
• Canadian Purpose Economy ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiS partnered with the Canadian Purpose Economy Project to host a two-part discussion with Christelle François, CEO of the Equity Economic Development Group, on the purpose economy and social finance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GreenBiz Group: Media and events company serving the sustainable business community. Comparable to DiS in covering DEI themes within sustainability and serving as a discovery channel for sustainability professionals, but at much broader scale.
• EarthShare: Federation of environmental nonprofits focused on workplace giving and community engagement. Operates broadly across environmental NGOs and overlaps with DiS in mobilizing resources and communities around sustainability causes.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global nonprofit consultancy working with businesses on sustainability and social responsibility. Operates broadly in the same space as DiS, including DEI work, but as part of a much wider portfolio of sustainability advisory services.

Direct peers

• WE ACT for Environmental Justice: Environmental justice nonprofit building community power and developing leaders of color in the environmental movement. Highly comparable to DiS in serving BIPOC communities and advocating for equitable sustainability outcomes.
• Center for Diversity & the Environment: U.S.-based nonprofit focused specifically on increasing racial diversity within the environmental sector. Directly comparable to DiS in mission, target audience, and programmatic focus (workforce DEI in sustainability).
• The Greenlining Institute: Policy, research, and leadership development organization focused on racial equity and environmental justice. Comparable to DiS in combining research, advocacy, and community-building at the intersection of DEI and sustainability.
• Green 2.0: Nonprofit that tracks and advocates for diversity within environmental NGOs and the broader green sector. Closely aligned with DiS's research and advocacy on DEI demographics in sustainability.
• Acre Resources: Sustainability and ESG recruitment firm that has partnered with DiS on research and is a direct peer in connecting sustainability talent with opportunities — serving the same BIPOC and ally sustainability professional audience.
• Net Impact: Community of students and professionals driving social and environmental change. Comparable to DiS as a member-based community platform serving early- and mid-career sustainability professionals seeking careers in the sector.

Regional players

• Hispanic Access Foundation: Nonprofit connecting Latinos with the outdoors and conservation careers, and already a DiS partner. Comparable as an organization focused on building pipelines of Latinx professionals into the sustainability workforce, primarily in the U.S.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/diversityinsust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversity-in-sustainability
• Instagraminstagram.com/diversityinsustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diversity in Sustainability