[Excerpt] Over two decades of empirical research confirms a link between corporate diversity and financial outperformance. Results are magnified at the executive level of organizations. While the business case for diversity seems apparent, the vast majority of companies have been slow to increase firm diversity, especially in leadership. African Americans and women remain especially underrepresented in contemporary leadership across industries. The enduring disparity is colloquially referred to as a “broken rung” on the corporate ladder.