As enforcement guidance sharpens and the legal spotlight intensifies, how are organizations supposed to navigate DEI now?

In this episode, we take a deeper look at what has unfolded since Executive Order 14173, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” was signed in January 2025. While the order targeted federal agencies, its ripple effects are reshaping how private companies, nonprofits, and universities approach diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

So what exactly has changed—and what’s still allowed?

Women Offshore walks through the Department of Justice’s new enforcement role, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) March 2025 guidance, and how leaders can keep building opportunity-driven workplaces while staying aligned with the law.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the Department of Justice (DOJ) was instructed to do under Executive Order 14173
• What the new EEOC guidance says about hiring, training, and employee groups
• What merit-based hiring means
• How outreach, mentorship, and leadership development can (and should) continue

Why This Matters

The maritime workforce shortage isn’t going away. If anything, it's becoming more urgent. Offshore rigs, shipping companies, and maritime employers need to attract and retain talent across a broader spectrum to meet demand—and create resilient, future-ready teams.

Smart, sustainable DEI practices aren’t just about compliance. They are critical to solving the workforce crisis ahead.

Join Us at the Women Offshore Leadership Summit

📍 May 21, 2025 | Shell Woodcreek, Houston, TX

We’re tackling this head-on with our panel: “Leading Through Legal Shifts: What DEI Changes Mean for You.” Hear from top maritime lawyers about what Executive Order 14173, DOJ investigations, and EEOC guidance mean for your policies, practices, and people. Register today at WomenOffshore.org.