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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Influencers

The DE&I Influencers list honors individuals who are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations and across the workforce solutions ecosystem at large. 

2024 DE&I Influencers

David “DJ” Jordan

Director of DE&I and Social Responsibility, Aerotek | Allegis Group

Honoree profile

With nearly three decades in staffing and recruiting, David “DJ” Jordan has held various roles ranging from national sales executive to operations manager. Committed to fostering DE&I, he prioritized this cause even before it became a mainstream focus. When it comes to effecting change, Jordan says, “In our country, it’s all about changing hearts and minds.”

A three-time SIA DE&I Influencer, the director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Aerotek credits his success to the support he receives. “Our leadership team’s active involvement in ‘moving the rock’ of what I do is amazing,” he says. From the grassroots level of the organization to the executive team, Jordan ensures that DE&I work is not performative but involves various levels of programmatic work, growing toward a more strategic way of implementing action that engages employees at all levels.

Under Jordan’s leadership, Aerotek has achieved a remarkable 88% retention rate among women of color with five or more years of tenure with the company. Jordan’s philosophy — retain, develop and promote — is a pathway to employee advancement. Every year, Aerotek hosts impactful internal panels, including “Courageous Conversations” and “Leadership Listening Sessions,” which collectively facilitate diverse groups within the company and address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans’ concerns and accessibility. These panels have yielded valuable feedback over the years, enabling leadership teams from executives to VPs to listen and address employee needs.

We are never going to be less diverse than we are today … We are not going backward.

Drawing from his experience, Jordan advises businesses to put in the work and prioritize DE&I as an ongoing commitment, not just a trend. “We are never going to be less diverse than we are today.”

For the next three years, Jordan plans to drive DE&I efforts by aligning them with the company mission and revenue goals. Despite challenges in the industry, he is determined to maintain Aerotek’s position as a leader in DE&I. “We are not going backward,” he says. He also plans to increase the retention of people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals in leadership roles, leveraging CSR partnerships and educational programs.

Jordan remains active in community services outside of work, notably advocating for voter registration. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, he also takes part in occasional speaking engagements at schools, addressing important topics surrounding DE&I efforts.