DiversityFIRST
DiversityFIRST (operating as the National Diversity Council) is a U.S. non-profit that has hosted the annual National Diversity & Leadership Conference for 23 years, serving DEI professionals, HR leaders, and diversity officers with training, networking, and industry-specific recognition awards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DiversityFIRST does
DiversityFIRST, legally operating as the National Diversity Council / Diversity & Leadership Inc., is a U.S.-based non-profit organization that has hosted the National Diversity & Leadership Conference (NDLC) annually since 2003. The organization serves DEI professionals, HR leaders, diversity officers, ERG leaders, and allied executives seeking professional development in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Its core product is a multi-day annual conference (currently virtual, held in April) preceded by a DEI National Training Week (held in March), with structured breakout sessions, workshops, keynotes, and a portfolio of industry-specific award recognition programs including Top 100 Diversity Officers, Power 50, Top 50 CIO/CTO, Top 50 HR Professionals, and Top Companies for CSR.
The underlying "technology" of the business is a content and community production engine rather than a software platform. Programming is curated by a Board of Directors and Advisory Board, supported by chapter infrastructure, volunteer pipelines, and an enterprise sponsorship channel. No proprietary software, APIs, apps, or AI components are disclosed; conference registration is processed through a self-serve website (nationaldiversityconference.com), and marketing is executed organically on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. Distribution is event-driven and runs on an annual cycle.
The revenue model is concentrated in two streams: individual conference and training registration fees (full conference listed at $899 per individual, with separate Training Only and Training + Conference tiers) and enterprise sponsorships marketed through a dedicated sponsorship channel. The organization is small — 5 reported employees — with no disclosed venture or equity backing, no parent company, and no public listing. Geographic reach is now effectively global via the virtual format, though operating gravity remains U.S.-centric.
DiversityFIRST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DiversityFIRST
- Legal name
- National Diversity Council (Diversity & Leadership Inc.)
- Website
- https://nationaldiversityconference.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DiversityFIRST (operating as the National Diversity Council) is a U.S. non-profit that has hosted the annual National Diversity & Leadership Conference for 23 years, serving DEI professionals, HR leaders, and diversity officers with training, networking, and industry-specific recognition awards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DiversityFIRST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Conference & Training Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DEI, Equity & Inclusion Training (EDABAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM), Virtual Training, Workshops & Masterclasses (Interactive Sessions) (MPAGAOAJ), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)
Keywords
DiversityFIRST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Conference Registration: Revenue generated from individual conference registration fees for the National Diversity & Leadership Conference. Attendees can register for training only, conference only, or combined training and conference packages.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Full Conference Individual Registration - Virtual |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
DiversityFIRST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DiversityFIRST operates the annual National Diversity & Leadership Conference (NDLC), a virtual event focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional development. The offering combines the DEI National Training Week (pre-conference virtual training in March) with the main conference (in April), featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Registration is offered at $899 per individual for full conference access, with additional Training Only and Training + Conference packages.
Product overview
DiversityFIRST operates the National Diversity & Leadership Conference (NDLC), an annual event combining the DEI National Training Week (virtual training sessions in March) with the main conference (in April). The conference offers various registration packages including Training Only, Conference Only, and Training + Conference options at $899 per individual. The product portfolio includes the core annual conference featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking, complemented by pre-conference virtual training programs covering DEI topics, and various award programs recognizing excellence in diversity leadership including Top 50 CIO/CTO and Top 100 Diversity Officers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Diversity & Leadership Conference (NDLC) Annual virtual conference focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, summits, workshops, and networking opportunities for DEI professionals, HR leaders, and diversity officers.
- Conference Training Sessions Individual training workshops offered during the conference covering DEI assessment, DEI recruiting, DEI certificate programs, ERG strategy, executive leadership development, belongingness, culturally competent leadership, and DEI starter kit. Sold as standalone training or bundled with conference registration.
- Top 100 Diversity Officers Awards Annual award recognition program honoring top diversity officers across industries.
- Top 50 CIO/CTO Awards Annual award recognition program honoring top technology leaders (CIOs/CTOs) for diversity and inclusion leadership.
Companies that use DiversityFIRST
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DiversityFIRST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
DiversityFIRST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DiversityFIRST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Catalyst: Global non-profit focused on workplace inclusion, particularly gender equity; operates research, advisory, and member events directly comparable to DiversityFIRST's DEI leadership programming.
- National Black MBA Association: Operates an annual conference and leadership conference focused on Black professional advancement and corporate DEI; comparable event-driven, membership-style non-profit serving DEI leaders.
- Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR): Runs the HACR Annual Corporate Inclusion Index and leadership symposium focused on Hispanic inclusion in corporate America; same event-plus-awards format and same DEI executive buyer persona as DiversityFIRST.
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM runs the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo, the largest US HR professional development event, with annual DEI/people-strategy tracks and certification programs serving the same HR and DEI leader audience as DiversityFIRST.
- Disability:IN: Operates the Disability:IN Annual Conference & Expo, a flagship DEI conference focused on disability inclusion, with awards programs and corporate benchmarking that mirror DiversityFIRST's structure.
- Working Mother Media (Diversity Best Practices): Produces the Diversity Best Practices conference and Top Companies for Diversity lists — a directly comparable mix of annual DEI conference plus curated awards lists targeting the same enterprise DEI buyer.
- Out & Equal: Runs the annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the premier US conference on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion; comparable format (annual conference, awards, training) targeting similar DEI and ERG leader audiences.
Emerging players
- i4cp (Institute for Corporate Productivity): Membership-based research and event organization producing next-generation CHRO/people-strategy summits and DEI-adjacent content for HR leaders; overlapping audience with narrower technology/data emphasis.
Others
- The National Council of Nonprofits: National infrastructure body for the non-profit sector; relevant as an ecosystem/operational peer for DiversityFIRST's non-profit governance and chapter structure rather than as a direct DEI conference competitor.
Broad incumbents
- The Conference Board: Established business research and conference organization producing leadership and HR conferences for Fortune 500 executives; overlaps with DiversityFIRST's executive leadership and DEI content but serves a broader agenda.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DiversityFIRST social profiles
Digital presenceDiversityFIRST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DiversityFIRST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DiversityFIRST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DiversityFIRST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DiversityFIRST
What does DiversityFIRST do?
DiversityFIRST operates the annual National Diversity & Leadership Conference (NDLC), a virtual event focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professional development. The offering combines the DEI National Training Week (pre-conference virtual training in March) with the main conference (in April), featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Registration is offered at $899 per individual for full conference access, with additional Training Only and Training + Conference packages.
Is DiversityFIRST a public or private company?
DiversityFIRST is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was DiversityFIRST founded?
DiversityFIRST was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does DiversityFIRST make money?
One revenue line is on record: conference Registration.
Who are DiversityFIRST's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Catalyst, National Black MBA Association, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), Disability:IN, Working Mother Media (Diversity Best Practices) and Out & Equal. i4cp (Institute for Corporate Productivity) is listed as an emerging player. The National Council of Nonprofits is listed as an others. The Conference Board is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does DiversityFIRST have an API?
No public API is recorded for DiversityFIRST.
What industry is DiversityFIRST in?
DiversityFIRST's product category is Professional Conference & Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAIAF, DEI, Equity & Inclusion Training, with a secondary code of THAHACAM, Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.